Full Description
First published in 1979, this book looks at the subject of childminding in Britain at the time it was written. It is based on a national survey that was commissioned by the Social Science Research Council and on action to help childminders funded by the Wates Foundation at Manchester University, UK. Previous to this study it was calculated that more than one million children under the age of five had a working mother, but little research had been done into childminders themselves. This book evaluates the number and nature of the childminders in Britain that were looking after the nation's children in the 70s. It argues that parents have a right to choose to work if society can guarantee loving and skilled care for their children. However, the authors suggest that this was not the case at the time and state that childminders were in need of better governmental support.
Contents
Acknowledgements; Part I: An Investigation 1. December Dawnwatch 2. Thinking 3. Exploring 4. Childminding in Huddersfield 5. Under five in Fartown 6. Where have all the children gone? 7. Cornflake kids 8. Old Trafford 9. Portrait gallery 10. Childminding: a classic case in the cycle of deprivation 11. On refusing to write a conclusion Part II: Seedtime 12. Research into action 13. A tale of four cities Part III: Agenda for Whitehall and Westminster 14. A charter for childminders 15. A Minister for Children; Notes; Bibliography; Index
