Study Summary

The NICHD Study of Early Child Care (SECC) is a comprehensive longitudinal study initiated by The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) in 1989 to answer the many questions about the relationship between child care experiences and characteristics and children's developmental outcomes. After a thorough scientific review, the NICHD selected a research team located at universities across the U.S., and at the NICHD, together providing multiple perspectives on and interests in child care research. This team of researchers worked cooperatively to design and implement the study, and in 1991, enrolled a very diverse sample of children and their families at 10 locations across the U.S. The NICHD SECC is characterized by a complex and detailed study design which takes into account many variables, including characteristics of the child care and the family environment. Researchers are assessing children's development using multiple methods (trained observers, interviewers, questionnaires, and testing) and measuring many facets of children's development (social, emotional, intellectual, language development, behavioral problems and adjustment, and physical health). A listing of the instruments used for the assessments during the first phase of the study, from birth through 3 years of age, along with the location and time of assessment is available from our web site. Instrument lists are also available for Phase II (54 months through 1st grade), for Phase III (2nd through 6th grades), and for Phase IV (ages 14 & 15). Researchers are following the children, measuring their development at frequent intervals from birth through adolescence. In 1991, the researchers enrolled 1,364 children in the study. Phase I of the study was conducted from 1991-1994, following the children from birth to age 3 years. Phase II of the study was conducted between 1995-2000 to follow the 1226 children continuing to participate from age 3 through their second year in school. Phase III of the study was conducted between 2000 - 2005 to follow over 1100 of the children through their seventh year in school. Phase IV which is currently being conducted will follow over 1000 of the original families through age 15. The NICHD Study of Early Child Care is conducted by a network of investigators, the NICHD Early Child Care Research Network. The network is led and managed by a Steering Committee which includes an independent chairperson, one representative from each of the grantee sites, one representative from the data center and one representative from NICHD. The Steering Committee has established policies and procedures that govern the operations of the network, including its publication procedures. The progress of the study is monitored by NICHD and by the Steering Committee with guidance from an Advisory Board which is nominated by the Director of NICHD. The Advisory Board is expected to meet with the Steering Committee twice a year, during regular Steering Committee meetings. You may view a listing of the study researchers and committee members on this site. Data from Phases I, II, and III of the study have been analyzed by the SECC researchers. As of January 1, 2000 qualified researchers are able to become affiliates with the study to utilize data from Phase I of the study. Phase II data is available to qualified researchers as of October 31, 2002. Phase III data became available to affiliated researchers in January 2006. The Application is for data from Phase I, II, and III of the study. A listing of presentations and publication of findings to date can be obtained from this web site. A description of the process and an application to obtain Phase I, II, and III data are also available from this site.