Relationships between young children in full-time day care and their caregivers: a qualitative study of parental and caregiver perspectives

Abstract

We studied the quality of caregiver–child relationships from the perspectives of parents and caregivers of young children in full-time day care. The sample consisted of 41 parents of children aged two years or younger (22 boys and 19 girls) in day care, and 35 of their caregivers. Parents and caregivers were interviewed. Parents and caregivers appeared to have up-to-date knowledge about caregiver–child relationships and about their importance. However, in evaluating the quality of the relationship between the individual child and its caregivers, both parties appeared to be more positive in their judgements than previous research would suggest. Caregivers are even more positive in their evaluations than parents. Day-care centres lack concrete assessment tools that might also reveal negative aspects of the relationship between caregivers and young children.

Keywords:

• day care
• caregiver–child relationship
• day-care quality
• parents' perspective
• caregivers' perspective