Childcare (also written child care[1] and babycare) is the act of caring for and supervising minor children. In law the term minor (also infant or infancy) is used to refer to a person who is under the age in which one legally assumes Adulthood and is legally CHILD syndrome (or congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform erythroderma and limb defects) is a genetic disorder (In Australia, daycare is referred to as "childcare"—cf. Day care or child care is care of a child during the Day by a person other than the child's Parents or Legal guardians typically someone outside )
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Childcare roles
It is traditional in western society for children to be looked after by one or both of their parents, but the need, or preference, for two-job households means that childcare is delegated to Au Pairs, childminders or crèches on a full-time (40hrs) or part-time (< 40hrs) basis. A parent is a Father or Mother; one who sires or gives An au pair (plural au pairs) is a foreign-national domestic assistant working for and living as part of a host Family. A nanny is a person who looks after the child or children of one family in the child's home Day care or child care is care of a child during the Day by a person other than the child's Parents or Legal guardians typically someone outside
Most Western countries also have compulsory education during which children are at school starting from 5- or 6-years of age. Compulsory education is Education which children are required by law to receive and governments to provide A school (from Greek σχολεῖον - scholeion) is an Institution designed to allow and encourage Students (or "pupils" The school will act in loco parentis meaning "in lieu of parent supervision". The term in loco parentis, Latin for "in the place of a parent" or "instead of a parent" refers to the legal responsibility of a person or
Where parents are missing, dead, unable or unfit to care for children, state agencies such as social services may take on the childcare role. Social work is a discipline involving the application of Social theory and research methods to study and improve the lives of people groups and societies
Another option, that may be more intimate and often keeps children in their own home setting is through the use of nannies or an au pair. A nanny is a person who looks after the child or children of one family in the child's home Additionally, parents may opt to have their own family members watch their children.
In the United States, childcare in regulated commercial or family childcare home setting is administered or lead by teachers who may have a Child Development Associate or higher credentials. Child Development Associate (CDA credential is awarded in the United States to those who have completed a list of requirements including 120 hours of training set forth by the Council These higher credentials include Associate, Bachelor, and even Master degrees in the field of Early Childhood Education (ECE). Although Childcare professionals may obtain a degree, many states require that they attend workshops yearly to better their knowledge and skill levels in the childcare field.
The childcare debate
For many, the use of paid childcare is a matter of choice with arguments raging on both sides about whether children suffer or not.
There is no doubt that the first few years of a child's life are vitally important to form a basis for good education, morality, self-discipline and social integration. Education encompasses both the Teaching and Learning of Knowledge, proper conduct, and technical competency Morality (from the Latin la moralitas "manner character proper behavior" has three principal meanings In its most general sense discipline refers to systematic instruction given to a Disciple. Consistency of approach, skills and qualifications of careers and ownership have been shown in many studies to improve the chances of a child reaching his or her full potential.
For example a recent study in Australia[2] concluded centers run by corporate chains provided the lowest quality care when compared to community-based providers and independent private centres.
The challenge of childcare
In many families (and almost exclusively so in some communities), the childcare role is taken on by the extended family. Extended family (or Joint family) is a term with several distinct meanings One of the challenges for parents who choose to use other sources of childcare is finding and affording qualified providers.
Some jurisdictions require licensing or certification. Parents may also turn to independent rating services, or rely on recommendations and referrals. Some places develop voluntary quality networks, for example in Australia most childcare services are part of the national Quality Assurance system which ensures they provide good developmental programs.
Many organizations (in the developed world) campaign for free or subsidized childcare for all. Others campaign for tax breaks or allowances to allow parents a non-finance driven choice. Many of the free or subsidized childcare programs in the United States are also Child Development programs, or after school programs which hire certified teachers to teach the children while they are in their care.
Most countries have laws relating to childcare, which seek to prevent and punish child abuse. Child abuse is the physical, psychological or sexual maltreatment of children Such laws may add cost and complexity to childcare provision and may provide tools to help ensure quality childcare.
See also
- Babysitting
- Day care
- Wood kindergarten
Notes
- ^ Both childcare and child care are common, acceptable spelling of the word. Babysitting is the practice of temporarily caring for a child on behalf of the child's parents Day care or child care is care of a child during the Day by a person other than the child's Parents or Legal guardians typically someone outside Child care is the preferred spelling in accordance with AP Style.
- ^ 2006, Rush, The Australia Institute http://www.tai.org.au/documents/downloads/DP84.pdf
External links
- Childcare at the Open Directory Project
- Child Care Quality: An Overview for Parents - From the ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education. The Open Directory Project ( ODP) also known as dmoz (from directory
- Information and Child Care resources from the United Kingdom's National Institute of Childcare and Education
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