Despite their proven significance, during our study we
recorded high ratios and group sizes. Yet, those ratios and
group sizes are established by Greek law. Comparing the
group size and ratios anticipated by Greek law with those
suggested by FIDCR it is evident that, in Greek child care,
centers are adapted and implemented the lower thresholds
of quality. Howes et al. (1992) have defined threshold as
the point between childcare that harms children or hinders
their development and childcare that does not create discernable
harm (p. 449). Both the present study and previous
research results from Greece (Petrogiannis 2002) verify
that that the quality offered to children is rather poor in
terms of these characteristics.