Center-Based Child Extended Care: Implications for Young Children’s Development in a Five-Year Follow-Up

Abstract

Effects of early extended child care on children’s functioning from age one year through the end of year six were examined in the Japan Child Care Cohort Study. This longitudinal project sought to assess the developmental and adaptation effects on children. Parents completed a survey on the childrearing environment at home, their feelings of self-efficacy, and the available support for childcare. Childcare professionals evaluated the development of children. The results, using a panel cohort method, indicated that although parenting was a stronger and more consistent predictor of children’s development than was the early extended child-care experience, support from the spouse predicted higher vocabulary development.