The use of child care services: what it means to parents
The vast majority of Quebec parents of children under five years of age work and rely on child care services. However, few studies have examined what it means for parents to make regular use of this type of service. In the present study, an inductive and comprehensive analysis was performed of 49 interviews held with 53 parents from Rimouski, Quebec. The main results are that parents appear to entrust their child to a child care service under the condition that their parental authority is respected and maintained while, at the same time, allowing them to experience forms of solidarity with the other adults involved. This may be expressed through values and bonds with the child, external control of the quality of the care and education, a certain autonomy of the family life, or the recognition of their own pedagogical authority.