Nonparental Child Care and Its Impact on Child Development
Nonparental Child Care & Its Impact on Child Development
LaTonya W. Boyd
SOC 312
Instructor Steven Peters
11/28/11
The last century has brought about an increase in the female working populations. Included in this population are mothers who previously provided care for their pre-school aged children. Because of this drastic change, the need for non parental child care has also increased. In this paper, I will discuss the three types of non parental child care and their influence on the psychological, social and cognitive development of the children who attend.
Child care is not a one-size-fit-all service. Because of this, families seek outside care for their children based on their needs, philosophy, knowledge, and budget. Some families prefer to have their children nurtured within the safety of their own homes; therefore, a relative, friend, baby sitter or even a nanny may come into the home to take care of a child (Berns, 2010). Typically, this care is provided by a retired or unemployed grandparent. Parents consider this as an ideal situation because the non parental care is provided by someone they trust which reduces the stress of leaving the child. When the care provider is a relative or friend, the individual is probably not licensed nor has received any type of formal child care training. This drastically decreases the probability of the child being privy to developmentally appropriate practices or activities. The child will typically spend the day watching television, running errands, or playing with the caregiver because a curriculum is not used. Another in home alternative is hiring a licensed nanny. This option is more expensive but increases the chances of having a trained caregiver who has “high standards of conduct, respecting and supporting families in their task of nurturing children, and promoting continuing professional growth” (Berns, 2010, pg. 166). In home care by a relative, friend or nanny can offer the parents a
LaTonya W. Boyd
SOC 312
Instructor Steven Peters
11/28/11
The last century has brought about an increase in the female working populations. Included in this population are mothers who previously provided care for their pre-school aged children. Because of this drastic change, the need for non parental child care has also increased. In this paper, I will discuss the three types of non parental child care and their influence on the psychological, social and cognitive development of the children who attend.
Child care is not a one-size-fit-all service. Because of this, families seek outside care for their children based on their needs, philosophy, knowledge, and budget. Some families prefer to have their children nurtured within the safety of their own homes; therefore, a relative, friend, baby sitter or even a nanny may come into the home to take care of a child (Berns, 2010). Typically, this care is provided by a retired or unemployed grandparent. Parents consider this as an ideal situation because the non parental care is provided by someone they trust which reduces the stress of leaving the child. When the care provider is a relative or friend, the individual is probably not licensed nor has received any type of formal child care training. This drastically decreases the probability of the child being privy to developmentally appropriate practices or activities. The child will typically spend the day watching television, running errands, or playing with the caregiver because a curriculum is not used. Another in home alternative is hiring a licensed nanny. This option is more expensive but increases the chances of having a trained caregiver who has “high standards of conduct, respecting and supporting families in their task of nurturing children, and promoting continuing professional growth” (Berns, 2010, pg. 166). In home care by a relative, friend or nanny can offer the parents a
Bibliography: Berns, R. M. (2010). Child, Family, School, Community Socialization and Support. Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Child Care Link. (2011, January 1). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from One Stop Portal to Child Care Information and Services: http://www.childcarelink.gov.sg/ccls/home/familyDayCareSer.jsp Harms, T., Clifford, R., & Cryer, D. (2005). Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale. New York: Teachers College Press. Shpancer, N. (2010, October 17). Is Nonparental Childcare Bad for Children? Retrieved November 28, 2011, from Psychology Today: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/insight-therapy/201010/is-non-parental-daycare-bad-children