The study, which was carried out by Maynooth University, aimed to examine a child's physical, cognitive and socio-emotional development and is based on data gathered for the national longitudinal 'Growing Up in Ireland' study.
According to findings, children who are cared for by a family member exhibit superior language skills by the age of three than those who are looked after in creches, while the latter develop better motor skills at the same age.
In addition to these findings, it was ascertained that certain factors play a role in childcare arrangements, with researchers asserting that children in high-income households “have significantly greater participation in non-parental care than children living in low-income households."
A spotlight is also shone on the Government's policy on childhood inequality, with co-author of the study, Dr. Delma Byrne, highlighting the need for greater investment in family supports and universal services for children.
Despite the introduction of the Early Childhood Care and Education scheme, parents are not finding it easier to work as there exists considerable barriers when attempting to access childcare outside the hours of the programme
It was suggested, however, that the practical arrangements of childcare had less of an influence on the child than other factors, namely the education level of the primary care giver, household employment circumstances and stress levels of the primary care giver.
Elaborating on this point, it was ascertained that children whose mothers suffered from depression when they were infants experienced more social and emotional problems by the age of three than those who didn't.
The study explained that children from poor or middle-income families whose parents have a low-level education are likely to display higher difficulty in various situations than those growing up in a high-income household which boast high levels of parental education.
The report is due to be published shortly.
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