If a parent asks for your opinion about whether to put an infant in day care, what would you say and why?

Concerns regarding the possibility of mental health risks associated with group day-care were first raised half a century ago (Bowlby, 1951; WHO Expert Committee on Mental Health, 1951). However, over the years, there has been a highly controversial debate regarding the effects of day-care and the issue is still far from resolved now (Borge, Rutter, Cote & Tremblay, 2004; Belsky, 2001). Firstly, before moving on to reviewing the empirical evidence for various theories regarding the day-care effects, it …

…development of aggressive behaviour during childhood: What have we learned in the past century? International Journal of Behavioural Development, 24, 129-141. Vandell,D., & Corasaniti, H. (1990). Child care and the family: Complex contributors to child development. New Directions for Child Development, 49, 23-37. Volling, B., & Feagans, L. (1995). Infant day care and children's social competence. Infant behaviour and Development, 18, 177-188. WHO Expert Committee on Mental Health (1951). Report on the Second Session 1951. Geneva: World Health Organization.