In 2001, the Early Childhood Study began to examine the development of four year-olds in early childhood programs, preschools and child care centers in Georgia, which are referred to in this report collectively as preschools. Purposes for the study included:

* *following the development of young children attending publicly funded and private preschools;

* *ascertaining the quality of their experiences; and

* *estimating the effects of Georgia's Pre-K Program.