Parental decision-making for a baby room in daycare centres: conceptions, motivations and influential factors

Abstract

ABSTRACT This exploratory study aims to explore and analyse the process of parental decision-making for baby rooms in daycare centres, within the Portuguese context of early childhood education and care. The theoretical framework is based on the accommodation model. Methodologically, the research is based on a qualitative and interpretative approach involving data collection through a focus group discussion, with seven parents who decided to enrol their babies, in baby rooms of seven non-profit daycare settings. The findings and discussion show that parental decision-making for a baby room in daycare is a complex and multidimensional process that involves opportunities, constraints, and preferences concerning pragmatic, personal, family, contextual and baby-centred factors. The need to provide parents with better information on what matters in daycare contexts is also a significant finding. The article ends by presenting some conclusions and recommendations addressed to all stakeholders, especially educators, to support the parental decision-making process for baby rooms in daycare.