Abstract
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the German government took drastic measures and ordered the temporary closure of early childhood education and care services (apart from emergency care). Most pedagogical professionals in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings were unable to provide institutional care for children during this period, and thus experienced difficulties fulfilling their legally mandated professional obligation to educate children. Building on the importance of professional–parent collaboration, this study investigates the reasons ECEC professionals gave for (not) being in contact with parents during the pandemic. The database comprises a nationwide survey conducted between April and May 2020 (n = 2,560 ECEC professionals). The results show that the vast majority of respondents were in contact with parents; their stated motives include providing informational or emotional support for parents and children, maintaining a relationship, or inquiring about family wellbeing. The explanations for not being in contact with parents include already existing contact with parents by another member of the ECEC staff, an employer-mandated contact ban, problems on the parents’ side, or personal reasons. We find some differences between managers in center-based childcare, pedagogical employes in center-based childcare, and professionals in family based childcare. Practical implications concerning professional–parent collaboration and the temporary closure of ECEC services are discussed.
Highlights
By March 2020 at the latest, it was clear that the rapid, worldwide spread of the virus SARS-CoV-2 could no longer be prevented
As we focused merely on professionals officially working at the early childhood education and care (ECEC) services when they participated in the survey, we excluded those on vacation or who stated they were unable to work at that time
We report the differences in professional role understanding regarding cooperation with parents and support of families within the stated reasons for being in contact with parents (RQ3)
Summary
By March 2020 at the latest, it was clear that the rapid, worldwide spread of the virus SARS-CoV-2 could no longer be prevented. On March 11, the World Health Organization referred to a pandemic for the first time. The German government, and those of the 16 federal states, continue to take varied and drastic measures to stem the spread of the virus. Among these measures was the temporary closure of center- and family based early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. For at least 2 months from the middle of March 2020 onward, all German ECEC institutions could only offer so-called emergency care (Notbetreuung), mostly for children whose parents work in systemically. Professionals-Parents-Contact During Pandemic relevant professions (e.g., doctors and employes in the food supply sector). The exact duration varied depending on the federal state (Steinmetz et al, 2020)
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