History of Childcare
Sharon Moss
History of Childcare Institutions and Qualifications
1/1/2011
Assignment 1.2 “Really Useful Knowledge”
History of Childcare Institutions and Qualifications
During this essay I will be outlining the history of childcare institutions and qualifications and how they have developed in relation to the needs of the country, family needs and society. I will be looking at the following occupations wet nurses, governesses, nannies and nursery nurses and how qualifications have developed within these roles. I shall them to the qualifications of the present day and how gender and social class have impacted on these professions. Also I shall consider how the curriculum content has changed to meet the demands of the ever changing role of the childcare worker and how it relates to my teaching practice currently and in the future.
When focusing on childcare a fundamental starting point is considering the role of the wet nurse and why she was popular and in demand. Wet nursing can date back as far as Moses. When the princess found baby Moses floating down the Nile she asked Miriam to find a wet nurse. In Ancient Egypt poor women used to supplement their income by becoming wet nurses for the upper class citizens or mothers who could not produce enough milk. Contracts were drawn up between them to “ensure the wet nurse provided good milk; preventing the wet nurse from nursing other children, having sex, or becoming pregnant” (history-wet-nursing, 2011).
In many cultures wet nurses were an ancient tradition, for example within the Chinese culture, before the Second World War, wet nursing was common practice. The Communists tried to outlaw the practice but in the 21st century it has become a status symbol and due to the melamine milk scandal this ancient profession has seen a revival. Wet nurses in China today -
“must leave their own children, maintain a special diet, and undergo
History of Childcare Institutions and Qualifications
1/1/2011
Assignment 1.2 “Really Useful Knowledge”
History of Childcare Institutions and Qualifications
During this essay I will be outlining the history of childcare institutions and qualifications and how they have developed in relation to the needs of the country, family needs and society. I will be looking at the following occupations wet nurses, governesses, nannies and nursery nurses and how qualifications have developed within these roles. I shall them to the qualifications of the present day and how gender and social class have impacted on these professions. Also I shall consider how the curriculum content has changed to meet the demands of the ever changing role of the childcare worker and how it relates to my teaching practice currently and in the future.
When focusing on childcare a fundamental starting point is considering the role of the wet nurse and why she was popular and in demand. Wet nursing can date back as far as Moses. When the princess found baby Moses floating down the Nile she asked Miriam to find a wet nurse. In Ancient Egypt poor women used to supplement their income by becoming wet nurses for the upper class citizens or mothers who could not produce enough milk. Contracts were drawn up between them to “ensure the wet nurse provided good milk; preventing the wet nurse from nursing other children, having sex, or becoming pregnant” (history-wet-nursing, 2011).
In many cultures wet nurses were an ancient tradition, for example within the Chinese culture, before the Second World War, wet nursing was common practice. The Communists tried to outlaw the practice but in the 21st century it has become a status symbol and due to the melamine milk scandal this ancient profession has seen a revival. Wet nurses in China today -
“must leave their own children, maintain a special diet, and undergo
References: Basford J & Hodson E, (2010) Successful Placements in Early Years Settings, Exeter, Learning Matters Bell.C, Start Right: (1991),The Importance of Early Learning, Royal Society for The Encouragement of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce, London Fildes V, (1988) The English Wet Nurse & Her Role In Infant Care 1538-1800,Journal of Medical History, The Wellcome Institute For the History of Medicine, London Gibbs M.A Green K. (2009) Victorian Governesses:A Look at Education and Professionalization, Canada:The University of Toledo. Hardy-Gathorne J. (1972) The Rise and Fall of The British Nanny, London, Hodder &Stoughton Herrman S, (1979), An Introduction to Nursery Nursing, London, Heinemann Hirst K and Nutbrown C (2005) Perspectives on Early Childhood Education, Stoke on Trent, Trentham Books Hudson Plowden Report (1967) Children and their Primary Schools, London, HMSO Pugh G (2001) Contemporary Issues, London, Paul Chapman Publishing Ltd PLA Factsheet (www.pre-school.org.uk/document/599) Accessed Jan 2011 Rumbold Report (1990) Starting With Quality, London, HMSO