Too Many Transitions? Fostering Attachment in Childcare

User:

Judy Arnall

Attachment Parenting, Non-punitive Discipline, Homeschooling

Judy Arnall

My daughter who has just turned one and has experienced a number of transitions this year. I'm considering another one but am worried that it may do her more harm than good? I would love your opinion. She graduated at her church day care program into a new room when she turned one and I am concerned about this new program. I would like to move her to a family day care but she's had so many changes already this year I worry about another one. The new room is 1.5 staff for 10 kids. Everything is on a schedule. She cannot use a bottle and must eat at set mealtimes. Also, she is down to one nap per day during a set nap time and I just don't think this is working out for her. She's a zombie at night. Also, they feed the kids wonderbread and lots of things containing ground beef. So, its certainly not abusive but it feels really cold and institutional to me. There is a family daycare near by that has level 2 accreditation and 12 kids with at least adulst staff, 3 kids her age. Seems much warmer and more flexible and will have openings in Sept. We spent last summer at her Dad's lake cottage while I was on maternity leave then we moved home in Sept. Parenting turned out to be too much for her dad and after 4 violent incidents (at least 2 of which she witnessed) I made him move out in Jan.09. Since then, we've settled into a decent, calm and successful visitation plan. I have her 75 % and he has her 25% of the time. I have most of the real parenting time (at night, at the beginning and end of her day,etc). She's at daycare from about 10 -5 daily. She's meeting all her milestones and seems just fine. Her pediatrician thinks she's doing great. I have to work as I'm the sole income. Here's the Chronology: Born last June. June to Sept - with me at the camp- maternity leave Sept - Move home from the camp Sept - Oct- (approx) Attends a fancy, expensive day care that looked good on paper but wasn't so great. Staff did not get on the floor and play with the kids. Was dirty,etc. Sept through Jan - Household drama referenced above Jan- Dad moves out, visitation schedule begins Oct to June- Moved her to the baby room at Baptist church. 2 staff, 6 babies. Seemed just fine. Not great but fine. June to Sept - Aden graduated to the young toddler room at the Baptist Church(all new staff, very structured, cold and institutional program) Sept- Contemplating move to family day care setting, hopefully to stay until she starts at Montessori at age 3. Is this too much change? What will this do to her bonding and sense of security? I should have prevented the move to the Young Toddler room so we could avoided another transition, but I thought it would be warmer, not colder than the baby room. I welcome any thoughts you have. Thanks!

I can understand your worry about too many transitions and the stress they might affect your daughter. However, if you are concerned about the quality of care of her present childcare situation, one more transition might be better for your peace of mind. In different jurisdictions, childcare ratios are in place in childcare settings to allow for the caregivers to meet the needs of age groups. For example, in our area, family dayhome childcare ratios are maximum six children (with only two of those under two-years-old) and this includes the provider’s own children. This reflects the government’s recognition that small toddlers need constant adult care because of their supervision needs, lack of cooperative play ability and intense need for emotional comforting. A daycare has many children and needs to run as an institution with strict schedules in order to be efficient and this does not always mean it’s a good fit for children with individual, unique needs. From an attachment perspective, a family dayhome is more like a home setting and usually the care provider will be a more permanent provider, compared to a daycare, which could have staff turnover every few weeks or months. This makes it difficult for your daughter to bond with her caregivers, something that is critical for emotional development and healthy adjustment. Don’t worry, the caregivers will never replace you! If you make the switch, give your daughter a lot of cuddle time with you after work and she will adjust better. Child-care can be some of the most daunting decisions in parenting. Whatever your decision, lots of special time and nurturing will help your daughter get through anything. Remember that we can’t prepare the path for the child, but we can prepare the child for the path.



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