Communication with childcare provider

During the consultation with experts and policy-makers in the field of early learning

and care, the issue of the relationship, and communication, between childcare

providers and parents was raised as an important area of exploration. Childcare

providers can spend up to ten hours of the day caring for a child. As a result, they

have the capacity to act as an excellent source of information and advice on

parenting and child development (Reid et al., 2016). Communication between parents

and childcare providers, particularly informal communication at transition time (when

child is arriving at or leaving childcare) is key to building trust and increasing

satisfaction on the part of the parent (Hummel et al., 2022).

Recommendation for Cohort 24 at age 3:

•The existing questions on childcare (Cohort 08 at 3yrs, Parent Main, G7A-F) should be expanded to include two questions on communication between parents and childcare providers (items G and H, below). Where the child avails of more than one form of childcare (i.e. childcare centre and childminder), the parent should be asked in respect of both providers.

•G7. [Card G7] The next questions are about the place where is cared for. Please read each statement and indicate how characteristic each statement is of the MAIN place where is cared for.

•a. There are plenty of toys, books, pictures and music for my child

•b. My caregiver knows a lot about children and their needs

•c. My child is happy in this arrangement

•d. The place where my child is cared for is kept

•e. My child spends time learning letters and numbers

•f. There are different play activities, e.g. water based, sand based, outdoor play, construction, painting etc. available to

•g. My caregiver gives me regular feedback on my child’s development

•h. My caregiver asks for and listens to my input about my child’s well-being

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