Waldfogel Jane author Columbia University. Social Work Washbrook Elizabeth author Columbia University. Social Work originator text Articles 2011 English We analyze the role that early years policy might play in narrowing educational attainment gaps. We begin by examining gaps in school readiness between low-, middle-, and high-income children, drawing on data from new large and nationally representative birth cohort studies in the USA and UK. We find that sizable income-related gaps in school readiness are present in both countries before children enter school and then decompose these gaps to identify the factors that account for the poorer scores of low-income children. We then consider what role early years policy could play in tackling these gaps, drawing on the best available evidence to identify promising programs. Early childhood education Education policy 2011 343016 1 12 2011 http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/343016 http://hdl.handle.net/10022/AC:P:14625 NNC NNC 2012-09-07 14:20:27 -0400 2012-09-07 14:24:49 -0400 8648 eng