Some parents admit to feeling jealous of the strong, emotional bond that a nursery worker can form with their child. Yet this connection is vital if the child is in nursery for a large part of the week, according to What About the Children (WATCh?).
However despite this anxiety over parents’ reactions, Penny Tassoni, president and Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) and author of many books on child development says it is vital for nursery practitioners to form close bonds with the children they care for, saying: “Young children who are not with their parents are likely to produce a stress hormone known as cortisol. Having access to a hug or even holding a hand of a key person can help to reduce anxiety”.
Sarah Heale, director of WATCh? would like to see nurseries “educating parents on the importance of practitioners forming an attachment with their child”.
“The EYFS says you need to cuddle the child if he or she needs it yet sometimes the practitioner will be anxious about how the parent will view it. Cuddling stimulates children’s learning. Loving attention fires synaptic growth and the links between the neurones and causes the emotional centre of the brain to grow.
“Studies show the cortisol levels of children when they are stressed are lower when they are at home with their parents than in a nursery environment. The longer the day, the higher the level of cortisol in the child, but if they feel close to their key worker, the level of cortisol drops. Obviously if they are in an unstable home environment, it is better they are in a nursery with a good key worker.
“The relationships people have with early carers are the biggest factor in their wellbeing, both in terms of stress levels as an infant, but also on into adult life.”
All our Cheshire Day Nursery staff take bonding with your child very seriously, however, we are happy to discuss any concerns you may have to help build the relationship between, child, carer and parent.
If you have any concerns, please contact us.
