Effects of the federal state law for child day care and preschools (FSL-CDC-P) in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: The influence of additional day-care teachers (dct) on preschool children's developmental health (dh)

Background: The FSL-CDC-P shall reduce the effects of social inequalities on children's developmental health (dh) in day-care centers (dcc) [1;2]. An annual amount of EUR 5 mio. is provided for dcc in social hotspots to support children aged 3 – 6 years affected by motor, language, cognitive, or social-emotional risks (n = 108 dcc (2012), n = 143 dcc (05.04.2016), respectively; funding criteria: (1.) annual application of the “Dortmund Developmental Screening for Preschools (DESK 3 – 6)” [3;4], (2.) participation of the dcc in a scientific evaluation). 96,3% of the FSL-CDC-P dcc used the funding to employ additional staff to offer targeted individualized support to children affected by developmental risks [4].

Research question: Is the amount of additional staff employed associated with an increase of DESK scores over 4 consecutive years?

Methods: The DESK was conducted by previously trained dct. Difference in values of age-adjusted DESK means from the 1st and 2nd measurement point (assessed in 2011/12, 2012/13, respectively) were calculated. Assessment of the amount of additional staff employed: paper-and-pencil interviews of the administration staff of the dcc conducted in 2012 (n = 102; response: 94.4%). Included for this analyses: n = 83 dcc (excluded: 1. missing values on the amount of additional staff employed (n = 18), 2. drop out (n = 1)). Median split: low (< 33) vs. high amount of additional staff employed (≥34 hours/week). Group comparisons: testing of comparable baseline level, and testing of group differences of the mean DESK difference values (T-Test (95% CI); calculated effect size: Cohen's d [5]).

Results: Min/Max amount of additional staff employed: 0.6/40 hours/week. Biggest longitudinal group difference: stronger improvement of dh in 5 year olds at 1st measurement who attend dcc with a high amount of additional staff employed: M [low amount of additional staff employed]= 0.54, M [high amount of additional staff employed]= 0.93; p < 0.05; Cohen's d: 0.21).

Discussion: The results support a significant contribution of the FSL-CDC-P on children's dh.

Practical relevance: A future decrease of the amount of additional staff employed would likely be associated with a decrease of children's dh. Referenzen beim Verfasser.