Climates in Swedish Day Care Centers: Children's Behavior in Differing Centers

Abstract This study investigated the relationship between various day care center climates and the children's behavior at the centers. Children and adults were observed in three types of rearing climates: future-focused, present-focused, and combined, and three types of work climates: relaxed, strained and mixed. There were differences in the children's pro-social and collaborative behaviors in centers with future-focused or combined rearing climates and relaxed work climates as compared to those in centers with present-focused rearing climate and strained work climate. The implications of rearing and work climates on children's behavior are discussed.