The importance attachments in the childcare setting.
Written by Paula Button (Childminder Partner for EYSWSPH)
During a recent course around “Building Babies Brains”, the importance of attachments was mentioned. It got me thinking! We all know attachments are important, but are we forming these attachments successfully? Is there more we can be doing?
There is a substantial transition that takes place when a baby is placed in a new setting, not just for the child, but for their parents and the childcare provider. In the first months (and years), one of the most important aspects of care is forming secure attachments; these emotional bonds develop between a child and their primary caregiver (parent) and childcare provider.
“Babies are born wired for connection. Attachment is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.” – Dr. Daniel Siegel, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
The benefits of secure attachments
The Attachment theory suggests that babies and young children have an instinctive desire to seek proximity to their primary caregivers for safety and security. The quality of these early attachments can have long-term effects on the child’s social and emotional development. Some key Benefits of secure attachment in the childcare setting include emotional security, greater curiosity and confidence, improved social development, superior language and cognitive skills and better emotional regulation. Childcare settings can foster secure attachments through consistent and responsive care, developing a deeper relationship with a key person through warm, attuned, empathetic interactions and physical closeness. Routines can also provide comfort and predictability for the young child.
Practical Tips:
- Keep transitions smooth by using familiar objects from home. Incorporate gradual settling-in periods, and involve parents, to ease separation anxiety.
- Make note of attachment-building moments. Photos, notes, or updates will help parents feel part of their child’s journey.
- Use visual aids. Baby-friendly photo charts of daily routines or family pictures sent in from home can offer reassurance for both parents and children.
Partnership with parents
Encourage open communication with parents/caregivers, share observations, and where possible, try to align care routines from home in the setting. Forming strong attachments does not mean replacing a parent; it is about becoming a trusted extension of the child’s world.
“Attachment is not about spoiling a baby. It’s about helping them build resilience through love and trust.” – Mary Ainsworth, Attachment Theorist
Final Thoughts
A childcare environment that nurtures secure attachments becomes more than a place of care—it becomes a place of growth, confidence, and joy. While resources, toys, and curriculum all matter, the essence of high-quality childcare is the relationship between the childcare provider and the child. By understanding and prioritising attachment, childcare providers are not just watching over children—they are shaping futures.
Recommended Reading & Resources:
- The Whole-Brain Child by Dr. Daniel Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
- Why Love Matters by Sue Gerhardt
- Attachment Theory in Practice by Dr. Susan Johnson
- NSPCC: Building Positive Relationships