Does anyone fancy a non bun fighty chat about the University of Ontario study which claims to find that childcare damages middle class children?

[Treefutom]

The link to the Telegraph report is here

I have more questions than opinions on this, tbh. And as I'm not clever enough to find out how to get the actual study report I don't know what to make of it.

What I do know is, it's the kind of thing that would have made me feel terrible when DD1 was in childcare. But that it also makes me now feel terrible as a SAHM of a 20mo DD2 because it claims that not being in childcare helps a middle class child's development and I am pretty sure that I don't do anywhere near as many things with DD2, development-wise as I'm certain a nursery would.

So I still feel shit

Good one to one is always better than bigger ratios of children to adults - it is why tutoring boosts children's grades. Hence if you are a pushy middle class mummy/daddy, you'll be able to bring your child on well, better than a nursery could. Regarding interaction with other children, playgroups can easily satisfy this need. I imagine a good nanny/grandparent could replicate the role of the parent but still provide childcare.

I have never used a nursery but round here, the state nurseries (surestart) are regarded as better than the private ones.

I imagine in households such as described by Bonsoir, then home environment is probably far more stimulating and nurturing than nursery might be. However, in families like ours where we have 4 children and no family whatsoever to help in any way then nursery is very often the best route.

So despite the fact that we probably fit into the MC bracket, I think my kids were better off in nursery than lounging around the house because mummy was pg and ill or had a newborn and was shattered. It's not much fun being 2yrs or 4yrs and being stuck all day with mummy who has a baby permanently attached to her breast.