Montréal, September 30, 2025. – The Institut de la statistique du Québec released today the publication La fréquentation d’un milieu de garde chez les tout-petits d’environ un an et demi based on the longitudinal study Growing Up in Québec. This study is following more than 4,000 children born in Québec in 2020–2021 until they reach adulthood.
Toddlers are starting childcare later than they did 20 years ago
On average, toddlers were 10.7 months old when they started attending childcare, and only 6% started before the age of 6 months. By comparison, in the first edition of this longitudinal study—which followed a cohort of babies born in Québec in 1997–1998—nearly 14% of babies aged about 5 months were in childcare while their parents were working or taking classes.
Children’s later entry into childcare is probably due in part to the Québec Parental Insurance Plan, which came into effect in January 2006 and allows parents to spend more time with their child after birth.
Many toddlers have already experienced changes in their childcare arrangements
One quarter (24%) of toddlers in childcare attended at least two different childcare settings between the time they started childcare and the age of one and a half years. Among children in childcare centres (CPE), subsidized daycares and non-subsidized daycares, 12% changed educators at least twice.
More infections and antibiotic use among toddlers in childcare
Toddlers who were attending childcare at about 17 months were more likely than those who were not in childcare to have had at least four infections (ear infection, cold with fever, stomach flu, etc.) in the 12 months before the survey (54% vs. 22%). They were also more likely to have taken antibiotics at least three times in the 12 months before the survey (21% vs. 7%)
Will infections and antibiotic use decline once the children have been in childcare longer? Will children who started childcare at a young age have better immunity in the years to come?
These are some of the questions we will be able to answer in the next few years thanks to the longitudinal nature of the study. We will also be able to monitor, over time, the links between childcare attendance and certain aspects of child development, such as cognitive development, socio-emotional development, and social skills.
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About the study
The Growing Up in Québec study was started to fulfill a need for knowledge about the development of children born in Québec. This second edition of the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development is carried out by the Institut de la statistique du Québec in collaboration with various partners, and is funded by the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation, the Ministère de la Famille, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, the Ministère de l’Éducation, the Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale, the Conseil de gestion de l’assurance parentale, and the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
The children covered by the study are those born in 2020–2021 to mothers living in Québec. The initial sample included 4,703 children, and data about them will be collected every year from the age of 5 months to about 8 years. Afterwards, data should be collected every two years, as well as at certain key moments. The second data collection took place from May 2022 to March 2023 when the children were about 17 months old.
Learn more about Growing Up in Québec.
The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces, analyzes and disseminates official, objective and quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and an essential source of information for all those wishing to learn more about Québec.