Customer Reviews

Child Care Today: Getting It Right for Everyone

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is so un-emotional and objective in providing information about an emotional subject. That makes is a good choice for parents looking to figure out which type of child care is best for their child, without the usual side-helping of guilt. It is not a good choice for parents (like me) who are wondering when would be the best time for a 2 year old to start getting some group care. One part of the book implies that one on one care is the gold standard for 0-2 (so far, so good). Another part of the book describes the wonders of the Swedish model, where it is socially acceptable to put a one year old in group care for their own good and social development and implies (maybe I'm too sensitive) that parents who "keep" their kids at home too long for the child's good may just be selfish, wishful thinking on the parent's part, not to mention an outdated concept. I somehow thought that Penelope Leach was more of an advocate for parent care for babies and toddlers. She asserts over and over again that advocating for parent care is counterproductive, as "today's economic realities" require two parents to work, ignoring the parents whose ideals lead them for forego economic gain for the sake of their families. I can appreciate, though, her rallying cry for better quality group care, as this is the type of care the most parents have no choice but to use.

This book can also get spectacularly boring and dry as it delves into the minutiae of every type of care imaginable. Great for people who have the patience for an enormous amount of facts and who plan to put their child in childcare after a short maternity leave, not so great and even demoralizing for everyone else.