Attachments in Everyday Life Day Care: Exam Questions & Mark Scheme

Exam Question 1  Other research has shown that quality of care is important when considering the effects of day care on children.  Outline two characteristics of high quality day care. [2 marks & 2 marks]

Exam Question 2  Explain what is meant by peer relations. [2 marks]

Exam Question 3  Describe one or more studies of the effects of day care on peer relations. [4 marks]

Exam Question 4  Both of Ali’s parents work full time, so they have decided to put him into day care. They do not have any relatives or friends who could care for Ali, but there are several types of day care available locally.  Name two different forms of day care which might be suitable for Ali. [2 marks]

Exam Question 5  What advice would you give to Ali’s parents to help them choose the most suitable day care for Ali? [4 marks]

Exam Question 1: Mark Scheme Characteristics of high quality day care include:  well qualified staff  low staff turn over  high caregiver to child ratio  use of key workers In each case:  1 mark for a brief answer e.g. use of key workers.  2nd mark for appropriate elaboration e.g. use of key workers to give children an opportunity to make an attachment.

Exam Question 2: Mark Scheme  Peer relations includes how well children get on with other children. This could include the child’s ability to make friends and play co-operatively with other children.  1 mark for brief explanation e.g. getting on with others  2nd mark for some elaboration as above.

Exam Question 3: Mark Scheme  Generally the effects of day care on peer relationships are positive. Eg Field (1991) found the more time children spend in day care, the more friends they had. The EPPE project (2003) looked at large numbers of children in different types of pre- school provision and found high quality care was associated with greater sociability with other children. However, Dilallo (1988) found children who spend more time in day care were less cooperative and helpful in their relations with other children. Length of time in day care may be a factor as Campbell (2000) found children who were in care for a long time each day were less socially competent than children who spent shorter days in care.  Candidates may refer to older studies. This is acceptable as long as they relate to day care (not institutionalisation) and relate to peer relations. Candidates who refer to aggression would need to make a link with peer relations.  Candidates are likely to refer to findings of studies but description of procedure is also credit.

Exam Question 4 Mark Scheme  Nursery, childminder, nanny, crèche, playgroup, au pair, play school, pre- school. As Ali requires full-time care a playgroup would not be suitable on its own. However, it could be combined with another form of day care so should be credited.  Grandparents, babysitter, children’s centre, public care, private care. 0 marks  1 mark for each appropriate form of day care.

Exam Question 5 Mark Scheme  Candidates may refer to the importance of an attachment figure. This might be provided in a home-based setting by a nanny or childminder, or in a nursery setting by a key worker. Some research has suggested day care can have a positive effect on children’s social development but some has linked day care with aggressive behaviour. The quality of care provided is an important factor and candidates may suggest looking for well qualified staff, high adult child ratio etc.  1 mark for a brief answer e.g. look for high quality care.  3 further marks for elaboration as above.