A1 Journal article (refereed)
Positioning flexibly scheduled ECEC in the chain of childcare by parents working non-standard hours (2022)

Peltoperä, K., Vehkakoski, T., Turja, L., & Laakso, M.-L. (2022). Positioning flexibly scheduled ECEC in the chain of childcare by parents working non-standard hours. Families, Relationships and Societies, 11(4), 551-568. https://doi.org/10.1332/204674321X16226480242482

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Peltoperä, Kaisu; Vehkakoski, Tanja; Turja, Leena; Laakso, Marja-Leena

Journal or series: Families, Relationships and Societies

ISSN: 2046-7435

eISSN: 2046-7443

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 14/07/2021

Volume: 11

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 551-568

Publisher: Policy Press

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1332/204674321X16226480242482

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Abstract

This study examined how Finnish parents working non-standard hours (N=18) positioned institutional flexibly scheduled early childhood education and care (ECEC) as a link in their chain of childcare. Interview data, analysed following the principles of discursive psychology, yielded three discourses on flexibly scheduled ECEC: the discourse of the child’s best interest, the discourse of the labour market, and the discourse of equality of opportunity for the child. Flexibly scheduled ECEC was positioned in these discourses either as the last resort option for childcare, a safe haven for the child, a societal service enabling parents to work during non-standard hours or as a place for children’s learning. It is important to recognise the origins of these discourses and reflect on them to improve ECEC services, so that they meet the demands of safety as a link in the chain of childcare and increase the level of parental satisfaction with them.

Keywords: child care; day care; nonstandard hour child care; early childhood education and care; public services; parents; working hours; discourse analysis

Free keywords: chain of care; discourse analysis; flexibly scheduled early childhood education and care; non-standard hours childcare; parental choice

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1