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Index: Education / Subcategory: Early Childhood

Preschool Enrollment

Date updated: 12/06/2011

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 Children (3 & 4 year olds) Enrolled in Preschool in Larimer County, 2005-2010

Data Source: American Community Survey (Table S1401)

See data table

What the above data tell us:

In two of the last six years (2005 and 2007), the percentage of 3- and 4-year-olds in Larimer County enrolled in preschool was below 50%. The 6-year average was 52.9%, above the average for the nation (47.8%) and the state (45.8%).

Caution should be exercised in using these annual statistics because the margin of error runs between +/-8.2% (2006) and +/-11.9% (2005).

Some of the benefits [pdf] of enrolling children in preschool include higher test scores, better social skills, and higher graduation rates. In 2010, Colorado [pdf] was ranked 22nd in the nation for four-year-olds and 10th 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. Oklahoma [pdf] was ranked first in the country for the number of four-year-olds (70.7%) enrolled in state preschool.

What this chart shows: Percentage of Children (3 & 4 year olds) Enrolled in Type of Preschool in Larimer County, 2005-2010

Data Source: American Community Survey (Table S1401)

See data table

What the above data tell us:

On average, approximately one-third of enrolled preschoolers were in a public preschool such as Head Start, compared to approximately two-thirds in a private, for-profit preschool. 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 Children (3 & 4 year olds) Enrolled in Preschool in Fort Collins and Loveland, 2008-2010

Data Source: American Community Survey (Table S1401)

See data table

What the above data tell us:

Over the last three years, the percentage of 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled in preschool hasn't differed greatly between Fort Collins and Loveland. The largest difference was in 2010 when an estimated 55.1% of 3- and 4-year-olds were enrolled in preschool in Fort Collins, compared to 52.6% in Loveland. It is entirely possible that the difference is due to the margin of error.

What this chart shows: Percentage of Children (3 & 4 year olds) Enrolled in Type of Preschool in Fort Collins & Loveland, 2008-2010

Data Source: American Community Survey (Table S1401)

See data table

What the above data tell us:

According to the 2008-2010 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates, there were significantly more 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled in public preschools in Loveland (41.7%) compared to Fort Collins (27.2%).

Additional Information:

Related Information on COMPASS-

Other Resources -

Standards or Target: N/A

Data Tables:

Children (3 & 4 year olds) Enrolled in Preschool in Larimer County

Number Enrolled

Percentage Enrolled

2005

3,592 42.6%

2006

4,195 56.4%

2007

4,118 41.8%

2008

5,741 64.8%

2009

5,022 58.3%

2010

5,017 53.7%

See chart

Percentage of Children (3 & 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%

See chart

Children (3 & 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%

See chart

Percentage of Children (3 & 4 year olds) Enrolled in Preschool in Larimer County
2008-2010 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates

Public Preschool

Private Preschool

Fort Collins

27.2% 72.8%

Loveland

41.7% 58.3%

See chart