Case Study: Child Care - Ethical, Legal, and Practical Considerations

This case study examines a scenario involving a single father registering his child for childcare, exploring the ethical and legal implications. The assignment delves into the challenges faced by childcare centers, including stereotypes, networking obligations, and legal requirements. It also covers the admission of a child with special needs, considering state regulations, the child's individual needs, and the availability of specialized care. The study highlights the importance of consultations with healthcare providers, parents, and social workers to make informed decisions, ultimately emphasizing the need to prioritize the child's well-being. The case study provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities of a childcare coordinator, including personnel management, safety regulations, and confidentiality. It also explores potential solutions and referrals to ensure the child receives appropriate care. The case study also includes a discussion on the impact of single parenthood on children, including emotional health, abandonment issues, and the effects of frequent relocation.

Case Study: Child Care 1
CASE STUDY: CHILD CARE
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Case Study: Child Care 2
Introduction
“Parenting” refers to supporting and promoting the social, emotional, physical, and the
intellect development of a child from the time of infancy to being an adult aside from the
biological aspect (Ingoldsby & Smith 2006). Usually, the biological parents take up this role, in
some cases it is taken by the extended family of older siblings, grandparents, legal guardian,
uncle, aunt, family friend or any other family member. The government and society may take up
this role especially for orphaned and abandoned children in foster care or orphanages where they
receive care from non-parent blood relations.
Ideally, it is expected that a couple siring the child will have the responsibility of raising
up the child all the way to adulthood, at times one of the parents is left to take care of the child
for one reason or another and thus single parenthood. Single parenthood can be brought about by
choice, the death of one of the parents or separation and divorce. Good parenting includes caring
for the basic needs of children, protection, showing them love and warm, keeping them safe and
providing stimulation required for the development that helps them attain their potential, in a
stable environment with consistent boundaries and guidance. Raising children is at times is
challenging for parents, regardless of the circumstances (Cox, Tice, & Long, 2016).
A single parent is stressful as they have to play the role of the other parent as well. This
might traumatize the children if it happens suddenly. The children may have difficulty coping
with such loss of either parent; this more often than not leads to difficulties in behavior (Emery,
1999). Single parenting is frustrating, challenging and at the same time rewarding. The world is
not readily accepting towards single fatherhood as is to single motherhood, but progress is being
made daily. When one of the parents leaves for one reason or another, it usually can be traumatic
on the child in various ways:

Case Study: Child Care 3
The emotional health of the child: The conflicts between the parents can affect the
mentality of the child, it makes the child feel insecure as the might be able to grow an attachment
to either of the parents.
Effects of abandonment: This can make the child question their self-worth leading to low
self-esteem. Abandoned children usually have trust issues and do not openly express their
feelings, usually worse when children with disabilities as they tend to feel that they are the
reason of abandonment and separation.
Constant moving: Due to economic hardships, single parents may move to find
affordable places to live in or near their extended family for support. Moving may impact
negatively on the child’s mentality, making the child have a sense of isolation, anxiety, and
depression.
1. What are the ethical implications as the father only came to register the child?
We live in a society with lots stereotypes and stigma that believes the single father does
not exist but quick to accept the single mother, though progress is being made every day
(Rieman, 2005). The single father bringing the child without the mother figure has various
implications:
Hero; some people will laud a single dad for being brave and doing a great job parenting of
their own children whereas some will view you as not being man enough for playing womanly
roles.
Stereotyping and character assassination; the society is quick to label the other parent as a
bad mother no matter the circumstances. At the same time, some will assume that the dad of the
child does not like or resents the mother which might not be the case.

Case Study: Child Care 4
The world is yet to accept single fatherhood; as single fathers navigate their roles of
parenting, they appear creepy and it is presumed that the mothers do all the parenting.
Feeling of not belonging; we live in a society that believes in a woman playing the main role
of parenting as opposed to a man such that when a single dad shows up for some activities and
events like taking a child to school, they are often asked whether the mother would be showing
up
2. With whom do you have to network and what would be your legal obligations?
Childcare center is a facility that offers daycare to infants, toddlers and preschool
children for working parents or enables the parents to have extended relieve with child care
problem while offering education and developmental care (Miller, 1990). Being the Coordinator
of the facility it will be prudent to work hand in hand with the Childcare Manager in conjunction
with the Childcare Program Coordinator to effectively and excellently run the facility and make
day to day decisions like finding the best solutions in regards to helping out the dad and the
child.
In running the facility as a Childcare center Coordinator, my roles include; recruiting and
training the personnel, organizing, planning, liaising with parents, implementing safety rules and
control of the services of the center and any other role delegated while exercising independent
judgement and making decisions with reasonable accommodations (Sciarra & Dorsey, 2002).
There are various legal and ethical obligations that must be adhered to:
Certification and education; must be able to meet the requirements set up by the state in
education and certification.
Safety; must ensure the safety of children as stipulated in the state regulations which may include
first aid and plans for emergencies among many others.

Case Study: Child Care 5
Abuse and neglect; must report any suspicion of neglect and abuse to child protective services or
law enforcers even without concrete proof of the abuse. As a child care worker, I should also
look for any signs of emotional and psychological abuse like speech disorders, withdrawal, and
eating disorders.
Confidentiality; confidentiality and privacy of personal information should be respected and
upheld of children, caregivers/parents and families too by the coordinator unless, for the safety of
the child, the disclosure is needed.
Respect; work in partnership with parents while respecting their knowledge and expertise on
their own children, their status, religion, ethnicity, beliefs, and customs.
3. Do you think you should admit the child even if she will skip the waiting list?
The child requiring admission at the facility is under shock, as described by the father as being
hyperactive and at times uncontrollable since her separation from the other parent. In addition to
being diagnosed with tentatively mild hearing impairment, not being able to speak and probably
needing a speech therapist in a near future will determine probable admission. One of the
regulations of the state is that no child should be denied enrollment into childhood programs for
reason on parent’s financial status, origin, family structure, gender, race, religion or disabilities.
I will consider admission into the center based on the policies of the center, state rules, and
regulations and the individual special needs of the child. The child in question needs specialized
expert personal attention, support; care and affection in an environment are not judgmental.
In this case, I would have offered admission skipping the waiting list, however; the
center does have a caregiver that is specialized in caring and handling this particular disability
making me not be able to offer admission to the center.

Case Study: Child Care 6
4. Whom would you consult if you do not feel you can take a decision?
Whether to admit or not a child with special needs, consultation with the health care
providers, parent, the social worker from Appogg working with family and the senior
childcare administrators to discuss the particular special needs. In particular, the health
providers will highlight the specific requirements that the facility should meet and specific
procedures that we will have to do (Hale, 2000).
5. What are the solutions you offer in such situations?
I will, therefore, refer the father to one of our other centers that specialize in caring for
children this particular special need. It is very important to put the need for the child ahead of
any others while making such decision. After all, as early childhood services providers, we
directly contribute to the development of the child and must aim to help the child to personally
flourish.

Case Study: Child Care 7
References
Cox, L. E., Tice, C. J., & Long, D. D. (2016). Introduction to social work: an advocacy- based
profession.
Emery, R. E. (1999). Marriage, divorce, and children's adjustment. Thousand Oaks, Calif, Sage.
Hale, C. M. (2000). Abcs of safe and healthy child care: a handbook for child care providers.
Diane Publishing Company.
Horner, S., & Horner, S. (1998). Single parenting: from a father's heart. St. Paul, MN, BANG!
Press.
Ingoldsby, B. B., & Smith, S. D. (2006). Families in global and multicultural perspective.
Thousand Oaks, Calif, Sage Publications.
Lee, N., & Lee, S. (2011). The parenting book. Oxford, Lion.
Lindon, J. (2003). Child care and early education: good practice to support young children and
their families. London, Thomson Learning.
Miller, G. T. (1990). National health and safety performance standards. [Place of publication not
identified], Diane Pub Co.
Sciarra, D. J., & Dorsey, A. G. (2002). Opening and operating a successful child care center.
Albany, N.Y., Delmar/Thomson Learning.
Rieman, B. B. (2005). The divorcing father's manual: 8 steps to help you and your children
survive and thrive. Harriman, Tenn, Men's Studies Press.