High-quality daycare reduces behavioral problems.

Is it true that high-quality daycare reduces behavioral problems?

Partly. One longitudinal study reports that children of depressed mothers showed fewer behavioral problems when they attended higher-quality childcare, and a review suggests high-quality daycare may help children of depressed mothers. Against this, a meta-analysis found daycare children have higher cortisol levels than at home, and other sources link daycare density to behavioral disturbances.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 2 sources for, 3 against · Last checked 17 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

A.L., P. (2005). Is Early, High-Quality Daycare an Asset for the Children of Low-Income, Depressed Mothers?. eric.ed.gov. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2004.10.001

J., V. H. & H., v. I. M. (2006). Children's Elevated Cortisol Levels at Daycare: A Review and Meta-Analysis. eric.ed.gov. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2006.07.004

Maternal depression in early childhood and child emotional and behavioral outcomes at school age: examining the roles of preschool childcare quality and current maternal depression symptomatology. (2020). hal.science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-019-01385-7

Pros and cons of putting an infant in a Daycare. (n.d.). parenting.stackexchange.com. https://parenting.stackexchange.com/questions/8078

enappsy. (n.d.). archive.org. https://archive.org/details/enappsy