Attitudes and beliefs of family- and center-based child care providers predict differences in caregiving behavior over time

• We examine patterns of caregiving behavior in family child care and center-based providers.
• We measured caregiver attitudes and beliefs and observed caregiver–child interactions (emotional availability) over time.
• Patterns of caregiving differed by type of provider and were also a function of type of provider and attitudes and beliefs.
• Family child care provider caregiving quality was more stable than center-based provider caregiving quality.
• Center-based provider caregiving quality was more heavily affected by attitudes and beliefs than family child care provider caregiving quality.

This study examined how patterns of caregiving behavior differ between family and center providers over time, and to what extent caregivers’ attitudes and beliefs shape those caregiving patterns. Ninety-eight child care providers (59 family child care-based [family] and 39 center-based providers) self-reported their initial demographics, attitudes, and beliefs about children and caregiving. Their caregiving behavior in the child care setting was independently and reliably observed three times over the course of one year. When controlling for relevant demographic and structural variables, growth curve analyses revealed patterns of caregiving behavior that varied as a function of provider type and of the interaction between provider type and caregiver attitudes and beliefs. Center-based providers’ caregiving behavior was more heavily influenced by attitudes and beliefs and showed greater variability over time than family providers’ behavior. Implications for choosing child care and improving professional development are discussed.