Analysis of the influence of the timing of enrollment in daycares on child development

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the age of enrollment into early childhood education (ECE) programs and child development. This is a cross-sectional study using data from the Birth Cohort of the Western Region of São Paulo, Brazil, with a 36-month follow-up of children born at the University Hospital of the University of São Paulo from 2012 to 2014, and their caregivers who participated in the 36-month follow-up conducted from 2015 to 2017. Child development was measured by the Engle Scale of the Regional Project on Child Development Indicators (PRIDI). ECE programs were evaluated in relation to their quality. The social characteristics of the children and their caregivers, as well as the characteristics of the economic and family context, were used as exposure variables. Our sample consisted of 472 children and their parents/caregivers. The enrollment into daycare from 13 and 29 months was the most frequent. When considered alone, a higher age of enrollment was associated with higher development score [β = 0.21, 95%CI: 0.02; 0.40, p = 0.027]. After adjusting for confounding variables in the regression models, it was observed that being enrolled in a private institution, total time of breastfeeding, time spent by the main caregiver working outside home, and inhibitory control were determinants in explaining the infant development at 36 months in the sample. Older age of entry into ECE programs may have a positive effect on infant development at 36 months of age, but these findings must be carefully considered.