Does Quality of Child Care Affect Child Outcomes at Age 4 1/2?

Research reveals associations between child-care quality and child outcomes. But are these associations causal? Data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care, a longitudinal study of children from birth to age 41/2, were used to explore 5 pr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Developmental psychology 2003-05, Vol.39 (3), p.451-469
Main Author: NICHD Early Child Care Research Network
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attribution
Biological and medical sciences
Causal Influences
Causal Models
Child
Child Care
Child Care Effects
Child Care Quality
Child Development
Child psychology
Cognitive Development
Development
Developmental psychology
Early Childhood Development
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human
Infant Development
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Newborn. Infant
NICHD Study of Early Child Care
Outcomes of Education
Predictor Variables
Preschool Children
Program Effectiveness
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Quality of Care
USA
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Summary:Research reveals associations between child-care quality and child outcomes. But are these associations causal? Data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care, a longitudinal study of children from birth to age 41/2, were used to explore 5 propositions that would support a causal argument. Three propositions received support, principally in the cognitive domain: (a) Associations between quality and outcomes remained even with child and family factors controlled; (b) associations between care and outcomes were domain specific; and (c) outcomes were predicted by quality of earlier care with concurrent care controlled. The 4th proposition, that associations between quality and outcomes would be significant with earlier abilities controlled, received limited support. There was no support for the 5th proposition, that quality and outcomes would exhibit dose-response relations.
ISSN:0012-1649
1939-0599
DOI:10.1037/0012-1649.39.3.451