The purpose of this study was to examine similarities and differences in the perceptions of childcare among American, Chinese, Japanese and Swedish early childhood teachers. Participants consisted of 78 American teachers, 156 Chinese teachers, 158 Japanese teachers, and 157 Swedish teachers. The results of quantitative analysis revealed that these teachers had perceptions about childcare that were both similar and different. Both Chinese and Swedish teachers focused on the importance of gender equality in relation to childcare more than Japanese and American teachers did. Although American, Chinese and Swedish teachers viewed children developing attachments with their mothers in a positive light regardless of whether they are blood related, Japanese teachers considered that children's attachments should be only with their biological mothers because they value blood relations between the child and the mother. Both American and Japanese teachers shared similar notions about group care, indicating positive perceptions about such care, but their notions were not as strong as those of their Chinese and Swedish counterparts. The implications for early childhood education are presented. (Contains 1 note and 3 tables.)