In the study, child care with small group
sizes had less impact on behaviour.
Image: iStockphoto

The effects of non-parental child care differ according to the quality of the care and the background of the parents, according to new research from the Australian National University.

The study, conducted by ANU economists Professor Andrew Leigh and Dr Chikako Yamauchi, used data from the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Children (LSAC), which followed a cohort of children born in 2004 (the study parallels ABC television’s Life at 1 and Life at 3 programs).

When the LSAC children were aged 2-3 years old, their parents were asked a series of questions about the children’s behaviour. These included questions about how the child responded in unfamiliar circumstances, how well the child persisted with tasks, and whether the child had temper tantrums.

“We find some evidence that children in non-parental care have worse behavioural outcomes,” said Dr Yamauchi. “However, it would be a mistake to conclude from this that day care is harmful for children. The size of the differences are quite small, and could possibly reflect differences in the kinds of families who choose to use non-parental care.”

The researchers also find that the relationship between behaviour and child care differs according to parental socioeconomic status and the quality of care.

 “The negative association between behavioural outcomes and non-parental care is strongest for children of affluent and high-educated parents,” said Professor Leigh.

“This accords with prior research, and may reflect the fact that children in these families have more resources at home, or that there are differences in parenting across socioeconomic groups. 

“We also find some evidence that the negative association between behavioural outcomes and child care use is ameliorated in child care centres with smaller group sizes.”

Professor Leigh will present the research in a keynote address at the Growing Up in Australia: Longitudinal Study of Australian Children conference in Melbourne on 3 December 2009.