This paper presents the main results of a comparative study carried out by a French-Japanese research team. Its focus is the daily life of under-ones in day care centres in two cultural contexts--France and Japan. Based on three kinds of data--official texts, videotaped observations and caregivers' discourses--the study highlights the links between traditional and professional norms and values which shape practices in the two countries. It thus contributes both to the current debate on new paradigms in early education and to the improvement of professional practices.