Families, Children and Child Care

Families, Children and Child Care is a prospective longitudinal study of the care of 1200 children from birth to school age, funded by the Sainsbury Charitable Trusts. It is directed by Dr. Penelope Leach, Professor Alan Stein and Professor Kathy Sylva. Professor Jacqueline Barnes is a collaborative investigator.

The purpose of this research is to examine the short and longer-term outcomes of different types, combinations and sequences of care on children's development between birth and school entry in terms of their health and growth; social and emotional development and cognitive and educational development. Types of care studied include home care by mother and/or father; care by grandparents and other relations; care by nannies inside the home; care by childminders outside the home; group care in day nurseries or child care centres, public and private; and combinations of these. For further details see www.familieschildrenchildcare.org