Does Voluntary Day Care Breed Anti-Social Behavior?

There was a large study in the UK on childcare and anti-social behaviour. They found that if a child is placed in these settings before the age of 2 years it can cause anti-social behaviour. However, for those on low incomes or from disfunctional families, children who are recieving a high standard of care from the age of 3 years, it can make a big difference to their development. I work in a nursery and some of the children who come to us at 3 yrs, who have no boundaries or social skills is alarmingly high. What we give them is a routine, a sense of belonging and support to parents who may need advice in how to set boundaries at home. I did research on one of the children I worked with in developing her social skills, as I feared she would have difficulties when she went to school. I help her develop her emotional literacy and find appropriate strategies to deal with her aggression. It worked really well for her and her relationship with her mum improved as well. Some children will achieve so much more when they are given a good start in life, whether through nursery care or being looked after at home, if the right care is provided. The children you seem to be talking about sound deeply disturbed and neglected. I honestly do not think day care would cause such effects without there being alot of problems within their family life.

I so agree with you here. I have 3 boys, none I put in daycare before 2 yrs. I did end up putting them in some for a bit after that for financial reasons. They are now all home with me full time though. I saw so many problems with my middle in terms of behavior (that I am still working on now) from being in that setting (and he was in a small home daycare) that I would not consider putting him back in even now (at 5) unless I really had to. The masses of infants ( as young as 4 wks!! ) being placed into such a situation is really quick saddening. To form a healthy attachment to their parents a child needs to be cared for by primarily by only one or two people for the first 2-3 yrs of life. I agree that among other things daycare can contribute to attachment problems. It also breeds other kinds of unhealthy social problems. People grow and learn best with a variety of influences (from babies to seniors) around them. Social interaction can happen ANYWHERE going to the grocery store, the park, church , etc are all social opportunities. (by the way I am homeschooling them so thats why they are all home fulltime)

I dont think so I think it actually increases social behaviour

I am very thankful that I am able to stay at home with my son and will be able to with future children that we will have. I think it's sad that many mothers have to work just to survive and to provide for their family. It's just our backwards society! I do practice attachment parenting, I was happy the first time my hubby and I had a date night, my son didn't fuss when we left him with a relative. He knew we were coming back soon!