The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of parents and early childhood teachers in Norway regarding the benefits of child care to young children. Both positive and negative benefits were explored. In the autumn of 2009, 41 parents and 35 early childhood teachers of children aged 1.5 years or less, living in the city of Trondheim and nearby communities, were assessed by means of a semi-structured qualitative interview. There was agreement among parents and early childhood teachers that children benefited from child care. Parents, however, tended to overestimate the benefit of socialization and learning for this young age-group. However, early childhood teachers focused more on socialization, in terms of waiting for turns, observing certain rules. One third of parents did not report any negative experiences of child care. The others reported negative experiences on occasion or under certain circumstances such as long hours, poor-quality care or too many children per adult early childhood teacher. All but four of the early childhood teachers suggested that high standards had to be satisfied to make child care good enough for the youngest children.