Effects of daycare on children

Whether or not daycare is helpful or harmful is fairly controversial and complex. Various studies have contradicted each other. This report describes findings from two studies which find young children who spend significant periods of time in daycare are more prone to developing aggressive or anti-social behaviour. This is the comment however which caught my eye;

"Children from workless households were rated as less cooperative and sociable than children in centres with high levels of working parents. This indicates there is a complex mix of factors that influence a child's behaviour and that careful attention is needed to ensure children are supported appropriately."

Workless homes are often dysfunctional, to some degree or another. So it is no surprise children from them are less cooperative or sociable. These children will probably benefit from some time out of their homes, notwithstanding they can be difficult for other attendees and staff who have to deal with them.