Research shows that while high quality child care positively influences children's development and learning, poor quality care is shown to have negative effects on children - regardless of social class. The effects of high or poor quality child care may be long-lasting. Therefore, quality in child care matters very much - for children, their parents, our communities, and, perhaps most importantly, for our society as a whole.
Caregivers are the child care.
In family day care, support and resources, have been shown to be associated with high quality child care. A system of regulation in child care includes legislated standards, monitoring, and enforcement. Standards do not guarantee quality but merely set a minimum baseline. Research shows that the presence of regulation and its strength are related to quality. In family day care, regulated caregivers are found to be more responsive and sensitive.