Implications of research into attachment for childcare practices.

Attachment research has influences childcare by:

• Child needs to have secure attachment with adult
• Child can have multiple attachments with range of adults.
• Child needs to use attachment figure as a safe base and explore environment and seek security.

Steele (2001)
-Found children in S.S had increased levels of cortisol (stress hormone) up to half an hour after parent returned from a brief separation.

Watamura (2006)

Compares levels of cortisol in same group of infants at diff days of week at nursery or home.
Found cortisol levels increased from morning to afternoon when babies in day care but more at home.
Increased greatest at kids from 24-36 months (After critical period, shows attachment formed)

Good quality care includes:

Campbell (2000)- structural characteristics of good care

• Low adult child ratio
• Small sized group (less strangers)
• Mixed age group
• Well trained staff 

-quality relates to childs actual experiences of day care in terms of emotional environment including,

• Secure attachment
• Structured day