Child day care center or home care for children 12-40 months of age. What is best for the child?

Writer:	Sara Holmgren
Publishing year:	2009
ISBN:	978-91-7257-617-9
Report number:	R 2009:09
Possible to order:	Yes

In Sweden it is common that both parents work, full- or part-time. Most children whose parents work are enrolled in day care centers. In 2008, the Swedish government introduced a child-raising allowance to enable parents to stay at home with their children after the standard period of paid parental leave has ended.

With this as a background, the Swedish National Institute of Public Health conducted a literature review in order to examine what is the best for the child in the preschool years between 12-40 months of age. Child outcomes from day care centers versus home care experiences were captured using measures of cognitive and socio-emotional development.

This report is written mainly for politicians in municipalities, heads of day care centers and/or people working with or administrators of preventive health care. It is hoped that this report may also be of interest to voluntary associations and parents as well.