In practical terms, Challenger provides continuity. We don’t get ill, go on holiday or hand in our notice! More important is your child’s emotional stability. Should your child become strongly attached to a single carer and that person leaves for whatever reason, the experience may be deeply traumatic. This could lead to a child avoiding lasting attachments. A related problem is the jealousy and emotional conflict felt by some parents when a child becomes attached to another person. Challenger provides a dependable, secure environment that complements rather than supplants the parents’ role. The confidence that children acquire at Challenger is broad-based and not contingent on a single relationship.
By engaging in a group, children learn to respect others, to be aware of each other’s needs, to share, take turns and co-operate in creative play and activities. All of these skills help to foster the development of language and communication as children learn to interact with each other and the carers who look after them.
A good child care centre meets objective, measurable standards. Parents can observe the quality of care that is offered and trust their choice to a far greater extent than if they were placing their most valuable possession in the hands of just one person.
