OBJECTIVES: This study assessed outcomes for children when child care centers meet recommended care standards. METHODS: Data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care were used to examine the association between meeting standards for child-staff ratios, group sizes, caregiver training, and caregiver education and children's development at 24 and 36 months of age. RESULTS: There were 5 major findings: (1) most classes observed did not meet all 4 recommended standards (compliance ranged from 10% at 6 months of age to 34% at 36 months of age); (2) linear associations were found between number of standards met and child outcomes, and this was more the case at 36 months than at 24 months of age: (3) there was no evidence of threshold effects; (4) children in classes that met more standards had better school readiness and language comprehension scores as well as fewer behavior problems at 36 months of age; and (5) child outcomes were predicted by child-staff ratio at 24 months and caregiver training and education at 36 months of age. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes were better when children attended classes that met recommended child-staff ratios and recommended levels of caregiver training and education.
OBJECTIVES: This study assessed outcomes for children when child care centers meet recommended care standards. METHODS: Data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care were used to examine the association between meeting standards for child-staff ratios, group sizes, caregiver training, and caregiver education and children's development at 24 and 36 months of age. RESULTS: There were 5 major findings: (1) most classes observed did not meet all 4 recommended standards (compliance ranged from 10% at 6 months of age to 34% at 36 months of age); (2) linear associations were found between number of standards met and child outcomes, and this was more the case at 36 months than at 24 months of age: (3) there was no evidence of threshold effects; (4) children in classes that met more standards had better school readiness and language comprehension scores as well as fewer behavior problems at 36 months of age; and (5) child outcomes were predicted by child-staff ratio at 24 months and caregiver training and education at 36 months of age. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes were better when children attended classes that met recommended child-staff ratios and recommended levels of caregiver training and education.
Authors: J R Copeland; I A Davidson; M E Dewey; C Gilmore; B A Larkin; C McWilliam; P A Saunders; A Scott; V Sharma; C Sullivan Journal: Br J Psychiatry Date: 1992-08 Impact factor: 9.319