Family and work‐related risk factors in children's s ocial–emotional well‐being and parent–educator cooperation in flexibly scheduled early childhood education and care

• Published in: International journal of social welfare 2023-07, Vol.32 (3), p.334-351
• Main Authors: Koivula, Merja, Räikkönen, Eija, Turja, Leena, Poikonen, Pirjo‐Liisa, Laakso, Marja‐Leena
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1369-6866; 1468-2397
• DOI: 10.1111/ijsw.12585

Non‐standard work schedules (NSWS) have become typical, but their associations with childcare arrangements and children's well‐being are unknown. This study explores how risk factors are associated with the social–emotional well‐being of girls and boys using flexibly scheduled early childhood education and care. Furthermore, the study investigates whether well‐functioning cooperation between parents and educators buffers the negative effects of the risk factors. This study, which is a part of a larger survey carried out in three European countries, reports Finnish parents' ( N  = 146) perspectives. The results showed that high parental stress was associated with low child well‐being. Strong parent–educator cooperation positively impacted both boys' and girls' social–emotional well‐being. The risk factors of reconciling work and family life had negative associations with children's well‐being and the fulfilment of their basic needs. The results illustrate the complex interrelations between children's well‐being, risk factors relating to NSWS and the buffering effect of protective factors.