Australian researchers studying 3,200 children have found that centre-based childcare is directly associated with ‘small but noticeable increases’ in ‘externalising’ problem behaviours – i.e. those which are directed outwards.
But they also found that children who spend longer in this type of childcare (as opposed to other types of childcare) were less likely to be withdrawn, anxious or depressed.
PhD student Angela Gialamas, from the University of Adelaide, said the ‘externalising’ problem behaviours included ‘hyperactivity - being restless, easily distracted, constantly fidgeting - and disruptive and aggressive behaviours, such as losing their temper and fighting with other children.’
The same group of children was less likely to show 'internalising' problem behaviours such as being unhappy and clingy in new situations.
‘So there are both positive and negative effects seen among this group of children.’
Three quarters of children in this study had spent regular time in the care of someone other than the parent by the age of three. The problems were not directly linked with other forms of childcare, such as care by nannies and grandparents, Ms Gialmas said.
The study used longitudinal research from 3,200 children and face-to-face interviews of parents about the time spent in different types of childcare. Children's ‘receptive vocabulary’ was directly assessed in the child's home, and externalising and internalising behaviours were measured by questionnaire, completed by parents and teachers at age 4–5 years.
It has been published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood