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Competition for a better future? Effects of competition on child care quality

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  • Y.E. Akgündüz
  • J. Plantenga

Abstract

Little is known about how competition affects child care centers’ quality. This paper examines the impact of competition on the quality of Dutch child care centers. The results show that high density of child care centers in an area improves scores in quality assessment measures. The positive relationship persists when either the density of primary schools or births in the area are used to instrument the density of child care centers. The effects of competition are exclusive to child care centers that operate in a private market. Despite concerns about the parents’ ability to distinguish between low and high quality child care, market competition in the Dutch child care sector appears to improve quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Y.E. Akgündüz & J. Plantenga, 2013. "Competition for a better future? Effects of competition on child care quality," Working Papers 13-14, Utrecht School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:use:tkiwps:1314
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    File URL: https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/290033/13-14.pdf
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    Cited by:

    1. Tapio Räsänen & Eva Österbacka, 2024. "Subsidizing private childcare in a universal regime," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 199-230, March.
    2. Kabátek, Jan, 2015. "Essays on public policy and household decision making," Other publications TiSEM 8cdb178e-ad98-42e5-a7e1-b, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.

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    Keywords

    child care; ECEC; pedagogic quality; competition;
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