Daginstitutioners betydning for udsatte børn: En forskningsoversigt.

The purpose of this study is to establish an overview of research on the significance of daycare centres in relation to socially marginalised children.

The results of the analysis of the international research show that attending a daycare centre has a complementary or compensatory impact in relation to initiatives designed for socially marginalised children.  These results are consistent with other research in the area, which generally shows that the upbringing of marginalised children is constantly limited both socially and emotionally as well as in terms of learning compared to the upbringing of other children. In relation to the development of learning and social skills of marginalised children, a review of the included studies shows that there are significant findings in the pedagogical effort that suggest that daycare centres, as opposed to home care, can help to increase the competence development of marginalised children: Moreover, daycare centres of good quality with good child-adult ratios and emphasis on staff training as well as on organised learning programmes, are proven to have an impact. Finally, the study points out that the interaction between the individual child and each adult is important for the child’s development and that pedagogical learning programmes that are based on the development of the child's autonomy are essential as opposed to a more stimulus-response-based approach.

The study is designed as a systematic research review including research reports on the significance of daycare centres on socially marginalised children.

Petersen, K. E. (2008). Daginstitutioners betydning for udsatte børn: En forskningsoversigt. København: Danmarks Pædagogiske Universitetsskole, Aarhus Universitet.