Non-parental Childcare During Early Childhood and Problem Behaviour Trajectories from Ages 5 to 14 Years.

Abstract

Using data from the nationally representative Millennium Cohort Study, this study examined the association between age of starting and weekly hours in formal childcare between birth and 5years with internalising and externalising behaviour trajectories from ages 5 to 14years in England (N = 6194 children). Associations were analysed using multilevel general linear regression models, with adjustment for socio-economic position, maternal mental health, demographics, and child temperament. Later entry was associated with more internalising behaviours at age 14years. Children who spent > 40h per week in childcare between birth and 3years displayed more externalising behaviour at 5years than children who did not attend childcare. Controlling for socio-economic position and parental mental health attenuated findings.