Discuss Implications of Research Into Attachments and Day Care Practises

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Discuss implications of research into attachments and day care practises (12 marks) Psychological research has helped to improve the advice given about the quality of day cares and what sort of day cares parents should leave their children with. The aim is to encourage children to socialise confidently without their parents by forming attachments to their caregivers and to minimise the negative impact of separation on attachment. One of these recommendations is to offer parenting classes to some parents who struggle with raising young children and need support and guidance on how to develop attachments with them. UK Government services such as ‘Sure Start’ centres now offer courses on parenting skill in order to aim to give every child the best start in life. Another recommendation is to avoid separating a child from its caregivers; many hospitals provide a bed for parents whose child has been hospitalised, to avoid the damage to attachments caused by separation. There are major changes in hospitals and institutions (e.g. foster homes) in visiting arrangements for parents with children in hospital. In 1952, a survey by Nursing Times found that only 25% of children’s hospitals allowed daily visiting and 12% prohibited visiting altogether. Now parents of children are now encouraged to visit their child regularly in hospital. Paternity leave is now offered to fathers as well as maternity leave to encourage the formation of attachment. From psychological research we have also learnt the good features of good quality day care. Low child to staff ratios are key so then the staff can provide the sensitive care needed. The NICHD study (1999) recommends a ratio of 3:1 with UK Government legislation stating that there must be 1 member for every 8 children. The Soho Family Centre believes that child carers must function as secondary attachment figures that support the
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