Effectiveness of Japan\u27s Extended/Night Child Care: A Five-Year Follow Up

Background: With increasing numbers of women joining the evening/nighttime and extended-hour workforce, there is a need for quality childcare during these hours.Methods: This project, conducted in Japan, sought to compare the effects of expanded child-care on the development and adaptation of 185 young children after five years in care. Parents completed a survey on the childrearing environment at home, their feelings of self-confidence, and the presence of support for childcare. Childcare professionals evaluated the development of children.Results: The results of multiple regression analysis indicate that factors in the home environment, not length of center-based care, explained developmental risks five years later.Conclusion: High quality center-based childcare provides good condition of children\u27s development after five years. For further evidence to study children\u27s development, it is important to follow up to evaluate various features of longer duration