Mother‐provider interaction and the provider‐child relationship in family child care homes

Abstract

Indirect effects of the mother‐provider relationship on the provider‐child relationship were investigated in family child care homes. Twenty‐five mother‐provider pairs were observed twice during late afternoon departure times, and observations of providers and children were conducted during free play periods. There was only one significant difference between the child‐directed behaviors of providers who engaged in more conversation with mothers compared with providers who engaged in less conversation with mothers; this difference seems to have been a chance finding. Similarly, there were few differences between the social interactions of children related to the amount of mother‐provider conversation.

Key Words:

• Family day care or family child care
• parent‐provider relationships