| Abstract: | A random sample of 94 toddlers in child care were rated by parents on the Child Behavior Checklist/2-3 (CBCL/2-3). Toddlers received nonparental care an average of 33 hours per week, and the majority began child care by six months of age. Although no comparison group was used, scores on the CBCL/2-3 for the present sample were compared with scores for the CBCL/2-3 normative sample and to prevalence data in the literature for children in child care. Fewer children with behavior problems were found in the present sample than in the normative group. The present sample consisted of middle-class toddlers in medium sized cities in Connecticut. Child care providers were relatives or nonrelatives in the home, in licensed and unlicensed family day care homes, and in day care centers. The findings point to the importance of considering contextual factors of family, child care, and social support before suggesting deleterious effects from early nonparental care. |
