A former Children's Commissioner says a new report should spark public debate about whether placing children in daycare under the age of three is actually good for them.
The report by UNICEF says New Zealand fails to meet four of the basic minimum standards for the care and protection of babies and young children. It compares education and care in 24 countries.
Dr Ian Hassall told Morning Report there has been a lot of talk about women returning to the workplace, to increase New Zealand's productivity.
He said that means a whole generation of children is growing up in situations outside the home, without close family relationships.
