Case Study

Marcia is a deputy room leader of the three years olds room. She is a very good practitioner in almost everything and is well thought of, but has a real problem with respecting parents who leave their children for the full opening hours. Marcia spent most of her life as a mother-less child as her mum died when she was 3 years old and she had always thought that people who got to have, or be, a mum were very fortunate. It irritates her that the mums in her day nursery so often did not, in her opinion, value the time they could be spending with their children.

• How could you advise someone in Marcia’s position?
• Why might parents who really do love their children need to have them in full day care?
• Does Marcia or anyone else have the right to judge another parent and their motives for their personal decisions?
• When might there be an issue that a child is far better cared for by being in full day care?

It is rare that there is just one way to respond to a scenario or situation, so do not consider that the responses you have to the above scenario will be judged as right or wrong. Share your scenario with a work colleague or friend and ask them to tell you whether they think you have responded appropriately. Ask them to challenge your response if necessary. You do not need to submit this task for assessment unless asked to do so by your assessor.