1. Implications of research for
Childcare practices
Attachment research
&
Day care research

2. Attachment Vs. Day Care
You MUST recognise the distinction between the
implications of attachment research and day care
research on childcare practices:
Implications of
attachment research
provide suggestions to
change:
1. Hospital Admissions
2. Adoption Practices
Implications of day care
research provide
suggestions to change:
1. Staff:Child ratio
2. Staff turnover
Implication: how the findings from the research can
be applied in everyday life – how can the findings
improve day care facilities and the child’s
experiences whilst in day care

3. Attachment research –
Hospital Admissions
Problem:
Robertson & Bowlby’s
research identified that
children can suffer PDD as
a result of separation.
Parents weren’t allowed to
stay with their children
whilst they were in hospital.
Flexible and
accessible visiting
arrangements
Parent beds
Attachment
bond maintained
= minimal
disruption
Discussion to maintain
familiar routines

4. Attachment research –
Adoption Practices
Problem:
Bowlby’s theory of attachment
suggested that children have a
‘critical period’ for attachment
formation – adoption after this
time could result in an inability
(later amended to state that children would have
difficulty forming attachment in the future) to
form attachments
Adoption as soon as
possible
Adoption during the
critical period (if
possible)
Attachments
can be formed,
consistent
carers

5. Day Care research –
Staff:Child Ratio
Problem:
Research suggests that
children perform best when
the staff:child ratio is low.
(This means more staff per
child – staff are able to
invest more time which
each child)
‘Key Workers’
Stressful times of the
day
Child can form
attachments –
‘substitute carer’

6. Day Care research –
Staff turnover
Problem:
If a day care has a high
turnover of staff it can
raise problems for a child’s
development – lack of
continuity of care.
Establish a ‘continuity
of care’
Encourage bonds to
form between staff
and children
Ensures support for
the child’s social
development
Encourage staff to
stay in the job

7. How else can be improve Day
Care for children?
Small groups –
Less intimidating,
increased chance
of knowing peers,
develop social
skills
Mixed age groups –
Children of different
ages/genders learn
from each other,
promotes development
Environment –
A stimulating
environment can
promote cognitive
and social
development
Legal Standards –
staffing ratios
Age of children
Min staff quals
OFSTED