ABSTRACT
Changes in the American labor market, the composition of American households, and federal welfare policies underscore the increased importance of nonparental care for young children. A growing majority of young children are now spending a significant portion of their day in the care of relatives, nonrelated family child-care providers, or center-based programs. For some families, the decision to rely on nonparental child care enables mothers to pursue their careers; for others, it enables them to achieve higher living standards; and for many others, it is simply a matter of economic necessity. The consensus among child development experts is that nonparental child care per se is not harmful to the development of children. However, the experts also agree that the quality of care for young children does matter (Clarke-Stewart, this volume), and that, as a society, we are underinvesting in our children (Hayes, Palmer, & Zaslow, 1990). Most notably, an enriched child-care environment can significantly enhance developmental outcomes among children from disadvantaged backgrounds (Hayes et al., 1990; Silverberg, 1988).
