The aim was to describe the results of a developmental screening test in a cohort of 30 children attending 3 day-care centers in the city of São Paulo and develop hypotheses about these results. Thirty children were evaluated three times, during two years, by using the DDST. In the gross motor area the results improved (Tests of the Signs, 1st to the 3rd evaluation, p= 0.038*). There was a relationship between the age of the child (2 to 3 years) and worst results (Fisher's Exact test, p= 0.013*). In the fine motor area the results improved (Tests of the Signs, 1st to the 2nd evaluation, p= 0.031*). So, the development of motor abilities improved after the children started attending the day-care centers. We must undertake more researches in order to attribute the specific influences of each area: day-care center and/or family.
child day care centers; child care; child development
