Length of Care in Early Head Start and Mother-Provider Relationships

Abstract

The study of mother-provider relationships in early childhood education is limited, even though the importance of this relationship has been established. Programs that use continuity of care have a unique opportunity for providers to spend multiple years with parents, which could lead to more positive relationships. This paper examines how mothers perceived their Early Head Start provider on three constructs important to parent-provider relationships, knowledge, practices and attitudes in relation to their enrollment length in the program and with their provider. A web-based survey was administered to mothers with children enrolled in Early Head Start. Bivariate correlations showed the relationship between variables. Significant findings indicating a negative correlation between the knowledge construct and program and provider enrollment length was found. Significant findings, future directions and implications are discussed.