Implications of research into attachment and daycare

Implications of attachment research

• Visiting arrangements for children in hospital
• Adoptions - avoiding late adoptions
• Parenting, e.g. 'Circle of Security'
• Improving day-care quality  

Day care research.
Characteristics of high-quality day care 

• Low child-to-staff ratios.The NICHD study found that its day-care staff could provide sensitive care only if the ratios were as low as 3:1. Even then, day-care staff might be overwhelming and unable to offer consistent care.

• Minimal staff turnover. Schaffer identified consistency of care as one of the most important factors in good outcomes. When staff come and go, children may either fail to form attachments to the staff or, if they have formed an attachment, may suffer the anxiety associated with deprivation when the staff go.

Characteristics of high-quality day care 

• Sensitive emotional care. The NICHD study found that about 23% of infant-care was providers give 'highly' sensitive care, and 20% are 'emotionally detached' from the infants under their care.
• Qualified staff. Sylva et al. reported from EPPE study that quality was associated with the qualification levels of the day-care staff. The higher the qualification of the staff, particularly the manager of the centre, the better the outcome for the children in terms of social development.