Overview

This book provides an overview of research on infants and young children who have experienced non-maternal and/or non-parental care in the preschool years of their lives. It also analyses the politics involved and the theoretical debates which have occurred. The central role of research from the United States, a country with generally lower standards of child care than Australia, is discussed. Research from other countries is included with a brief description of the cultural context. Chapters are: The changing context of early childhood; Attachment and quality; Does non-maternal care harm infants? The effects of different contexts of child care; Early intervention and Head Start programs; Dual socialisation.

AIFS Early Childhood Study Paper no. 5