Do Effects of Early Child Care Extend to Age 15 Years? Results From the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development

Relations between nonrelative child care (birth to 4½ years) and functioning at age 15 were examined(N = 1,364). Both quality and quantity of child care were linked to adolescent functioning. Effects were similarin size as those observed at younger ages. Higher quality care predicted higher cognitive–academic achieve-ment at age 15, with escalating positive effects at higher levels of quality. The association between quality andachievement was mediated, in part, by earlier child-care effects on achievement. High-quality early child carealso predicted youth reports of less externalizing behavior. More hours of nonrelative care predicted greaterrisk taking and impulsivity at age 15, relations that were partially mediated by earlier child-care effects onexternalizing behaviors.