Universal Pre-Kindergarten Associated With Fewer Child Protective Services Investigations Among 4-Year-Olds

Availability of universal full-day pre-kindergarten (UPK) classes in New York City was associated with four fewer child protective services (CPS) investigations per 1,000 four-year-old children compared with eight-year-olds. The reduction was significant for overall CPS investigations, driven by a reduction in investigations for child neglect. UPK was not associated with any change in the rate of CPS investigations for physical abuse.

The association was noted in an analysis involving 1.6 million children using administrative child welfare data. The study used data from the 2010 to 2019 National Child Abuse and Neglect Data . . .