Preschool should be a safe place where young children can learn, play and grow. But across the country, children in preschool are expelled at a rate nearly 3 times higher than K-12 schools.
What is preschool expulsion?
Preschool expulsion happens when a child is asked to leave a program because of behavior. Sometimes it’s more subtle, like a “push out.” This is when a provider tells a family that the child would do better somewhere else. Or they may often ask them to pick up their child early. Over time, the family may have no other choice but to withdraw their child.
For families, this can mean losing child care, missing work and struggling to find a new program. For children, it can cause lasting harm.
Why it’s a problem
The first five years of life are critical for learning and development. Expulsion at this age can cause major setbacks.
Children with disabilities, developmental delays or from under-resourced communities face the highest risk.
When young children are expelled, they may:
- Miss out on learning, friendships and caring adult support.
- Lose chances to build social and emotional skills.
- Struggle more with their health, development and education.
- Develop negative feelings about school, themselves, teachers and learning.
Children who have been suspended or expelled are up to ten times more likely to drop out of high school or end up in the criminal justice system. These harms are hard to undo and are linked to racial inequities.
Read what it feels like to be expelled through a child’s eyes.
Help is available
As an early education professional, you don’t have to face challenges alone. Support is available to help you keep every child learning and growing in your program. Consultation, training and technical assistance can give you tools and strategies to handle challenging behaviors with confidence.
For support in preventing expulsions from your program, access the resources below:
Participate in training and technical assistance:
- AZ STEPS: Offers training, technical assistance and mental or behavioral health consultation to DES contracted childcare providers and the families they serve. This program is funded by DES and operated by Southwest Human Development.
Request support from a resource consultant from AZ STEPS:
- Submit a Suspension and Expulsion Support Request to request help and resources to support the child and family, and prevent an expulsion or suspension.
Enroll in early childhood mental health consultation:
- Smart Support: Provides training, technical assistance and mental or behavioral health consultation to regulated child care providers. This program is funded by First Things First and DES and operated by Southwest Human Development.
A positive way forward
Every child deserves a place where they feel safe, cared for and part of the group. And every teacher deserves support when challenges arise.
By staying open to learning and trying new approaches, you can create a program where all children can grow and thrive.
Let’s keep the conversation going
What practices have helped you keep children enrolled in your program? What strategies have been most effective? Share your insights below to inspire others.