Does the quality of child care have an impact on a childs development?
Tell that one to any parent! Parents know that the person that cares for their child 40 or so hours a week makes a difference in their child’s life and well being. Both common sense and research tell us that children’s brains are growing most quickly during their first three years of life and that their experiences during these critical early years lay the foundation for the rest of their lives. So it is obvious that child care affects the way that children think, learn, and behave and can have a long-term impact. Given all of this, it is not surprising that studies repeatedly have shown that good quality child care – care that provides a loving, safe and stable environment – helps children enter school ready to succeed, improve their skills and stay safe while their parents work. The positive impact of good care is even greater for low-income children. And studies have shown that poor quality care – which is too often under stimulating, uncaring, and even unsafe – deprives children of
