What makes a good daycare? Interactions between adults and children are key, says researcher

The quality of early childhood care facilities hinges primarily on the interactions between caregivers and children, according to researcher Michel Vandenbroeck. This perspective challenges a sole focus on structural elements, emphasizing instead the dynamic relationship between adults and the young ones in their care.

Defining what constitutes high-quality childcare remains a complex and evolving field. Decades of research by academics, professionals, and policymakers have yielded numerous studies, some of which present conflicting conclusions. This ongoing debate underscores the difficulty in establishing a universal standard for early childhood education.

In French-speaking Switzerland, childcare centers have become the predominant form of care for young children. This trend, mirrored in many European countries and the United States, makes the pursuit of quality in these institutions a critical concern for parents and society. While grandparents remain a primary source of childcare in German- and Italian-speaking regions of Switzerland, the rise of formal centers highlights their increasing importance.

Research, including a significant study by the US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development that followed over 1,100 children from infancy through adolescence, has explored the long-term impacts of different childcare environments. These extensive investigations aim to provide concrete data on how various factors influence child development, contributing to the broader understanding of what makes an early childhood setting truly beneficial.

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The quality of an early childhood education and care facility depends above all on the interactions between adults and children.