Family day care in two countries: Parents, caregivers, and children in Canada and Israel

The results of two studies of family day care conducted in two different countries, Israel and Canada, are reported and compared. In both studies, the quality of family day care was found to range from poor to excellent. Children's activities in the day care setting were found to be associated with specific aspects of day care environment. In Israel, the caregiving style was found to contribute to the nature of children's activities and behaviors. In Canada, the quality of the learning and physical environments was correlated with the frequency of developmentally facilitative activities engaged in by the children. Both studies revealed strong linkages among caregiver education and background, the quality of the day care setting, and the children's daily activities while in care.