Preschool Enrollment
Date updated: 11/14/2012
Chart Directory:
The information presented below was obtained from the American Community Survey, which replaced the long-form Census beginning in 2003. Instead of one, point-in-time survey, the American Community Survey (ACS) sends out thousands of surveys every month throughout the year.
The ACS asks respondents, 'At any time in the last 3 months, has this person attended school?'. Because surveys are sent out on a monthly schedule, some of the data shown below will refer to the previous year.
Schools supported and controlled primarily by a local, county, state or federal government are defined as public. Those supported and controlled primarily by religious organizations or for-profit institutions are considered private.
What this chart shows: Percentage of 3- and 4-Year Olds Enrolled in Preschool in Larimer County, 2005-2011
Data Source: American Community Survey (Table S1401)
What the above data tell us:
In two of the last seven years (2005 and 2007), the percentage of 3- and 4-year-olds in Larimer County enrolled in preschool was below 50%. The 7-year average of 52.7% was above the average for the nation (47.8%) and the state (46.4%).Caution should be exercised in using these annual statistics because the margin of error runs between +/-8.2% (2006) and +/-12.0% (2011).
Some of the benefits [pdf] of enrolling children in preschool include higher test scores, better social skills, and higher graduation rates. In 2011, Colorado [pdf] was ranked 21st in the nation for four-year-olds and 11th for three-year-olds enrolled in a pre-kindergarten, Head Start, or IDEA Preschool grant program, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research. In 2010, 26% of Colorado's three- and four-year-olds attended a preschool program. Florida [pdf] was ranked first in the country for the number of four-year-olds (76%) enrolled in state preschool.
What this chart shows: Percentage of Larimer County 3- and 4-Year Olds Enrolled in School by Type of Preschool, 2005-2011
Data Source: American Community Survey (Table S1401)
What the above data tell us:
On average, less than one-third of enrolled preschoolers (29%) were in a public preschool such as Head Start over the last 7 years. The availability of funding is often cited as the primary reason for not having more children enrolled in public preschool.What this chart shows: Percentage of 3- and 4-Year Olds Enrolled in Preschool in Fort Collins and Loveland, 2008-2011
Data Source: American Community Survey (Table S1401)
What the above data tell us:
Since 2008, the percentage of 3- and 4-year olds enrolled in preschool has declined roughly 19% in Fort Collins and 26% in Loveland. It is possible that the recession is responsible for the decline as parents who are not working have limited resources to spend on preschool.What this chart shows: Percentage of 3- and 4-Year Olds Enrolled in School by Type of Preschool in Fort Collins & Loveland, 2009-2011 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates
Data Source: American Community Survey (Table S1401)
What the above data tell us:
According to the 2009-2011 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates, there were slightly more 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled in public preschools in Loveland (29.0%) compared to Fort Collins (26.1%).Additional Information:
Related Information on COMPASS -
- Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
- Enrollment by Ethnicity
- Enrollment in Public, Home-Based, and Non-Public Schools
- Enrollment - Special Education
- Funding per Pupil
- Population By Age
- Population Size and Growth
Other Resources -
- Colorado Department of Education - early childhood education
- Early Childhood Council (ECC) of Larimer County
- Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success (EVICS)
- Larimer County Department of Health and Environment - information on immunizations
- Larimer County Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- National Center for Education Statistics
- Park School District - contact the District for information about available early childhood programs
- Poudre School District - Early Childhood Programs
- Qualistar Early Learning - a statewide non-profit organization that provides online search for early childhood care/education in Colorado
- Ready, Set, Go! Why Business Should Support Early Childhood Education [pdf] - Institute for a Competitive Workforce, September 2010
- Thompson School District - Early Childhood Programs
- Zero to Three - resource for information about infants and toddlers
Industry Standards or Target: N/A
3- and 4-Year Olds Enrolled in
Preschool in Larimer County
|
Percentage Enrolled |
|
|
2005 |
42.6% |
|
2006 |
56.4% |
|
2007 |
41.8% |
|
2008 |
64.8% |
|
2009 |
58.3% |
|
2010 |
53.7% |
|
2011 |
51.3% |
Percentage of 3- and 4-Year Olds Enrolled in Preschool in Larimer County
|
Public Preschool |
Private Preschool |
|
|
2005 |
28.5% | 71.5% |
|
2006 |
35.2% | 64.8% |
|
2007 |
29.3% | 70.7% |
|
2008 |
29.9% | 70.1% |
|
2009 |
39.5% | 60.5% |
|
2010 |
17.9% | 82.1% |
|
2011 |
22.5% | 77.5% |
3- and 4-Year Olds Enrolled in Preschool in Fort Collins & Loveland
|
Fort Collins |
Loveland |
|
|
2008 |
62.8% | 64.2% |
|
2009 |
59.7% | 59.4% |
|
2010 |
55.1% | 52.6% |
|
2011 |
50.8% | 47.5% |
Percentage of 3- and 4-Year Olds Enrolled in Preschool in Larimer County
2009-2011 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates
|
Public Preschool |
Private Preschool |
|
|
Fort Collins |
26.1% | 73.9% |
|
Loveland |
29.0% | 71.0% |