<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>New data reveals </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/children" rel="" target="" title="children "><span>children</span></a><span> who spend long hours in childcare have a higher risk of emotional development issues and learning problems.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's often an impossible juggling act for working parents - but according to new research - children who spend 40 hours a week in childcare have a higher risk of struggling socially and emotionally.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The major Government study tracked 274,000 kids in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/" rel="" target="" title="Australia"><span>Australia</span></a><span> from birth to their first year at school.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/israel-says-it-killed-revolutionary-guard-intel-chief-vows-to-hunt-down-iran-leaders-one-by-one/2e9d80d2-cdcc-4df5-a0d7-12e251ced82a" rel="" target="" title=""><strong><span>Israel announces new killing, vows to hunt Iran leaders 'one by one'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Those who attended a childcare centre rated as "low quality" for more than 30 hours a week were increasingly vulnerable in at least one of five areas.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Social competence and emotional maturity saw the biggest impact when compared to children who had no formal childcare.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Experts say one reason behind this may be high staff turnover. Children's brain development thrives on relationships with adults they have a secure sense of attachment with.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/childcare-report-study-reveals-impact-of-long-hours-of-childcare-on-kids/0b3fd619-e958-4b2c-ba41-38dab885034c" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/logan-fatal-family-pays-tribute-to-victorian-mum-killed-in-head-on-crash/c09bad25-92a9-4f12-b20f-1714cf38a995" rel="" target="" title=""><strong><span>Sons pay tribute to mother-of-eight killed in horror head-on smash</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>On the other hand, experts say keeping children at home is not always beneficial.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Childcare sometimes proves to be a better alternative for children who are experiencing disadvantage, who come from a single-parent household or those with a language background other than English.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Albanese government expanded childcare support at the start of year with eligible families guaranteed three days of subsidised childcare per week.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: AS IT HAPPENED:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-april-6-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headlines/4a47f07a-4553-4ee9-842a-82f57ab6a264" rel="" target="" title=" 'Sickness': Iran strikes at Trump's health over posts"><strong><span>'Sickness': Iran strikes at Trump's health over posts</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While the help is welcomed by families, parent advocacy groups say there needs to be a stronger focus on boosting quality in the childcare sector, because reducing the hours of childcare is not an option for many working parents.</span></div></div>