Investigating forms of conciliation I have found this initiative of the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Basque Country: Family Nests. My joy has been great: finally a project that takes into account the attachment needs of children.
But, as I will tell you in the end, my joy can be ephemeral. Private nursery schools had already complained about them but now it seems they will disappear.
The idea of Family nests, of which we had already spoken positively in Babies and more, it has seemed excellent, since, in addition to providing an option for the care of the smallest children that favors the labor conciliation it offers to the small ones an environment as close as possible to your own home. Both houses and staff are carefully selected and are near the home or work of the parents.
Family Nest staff a personal interview is selected in which the experience of the caregivers is valued and that the concept of the child is a complete human being that must be respected and that their emotional needs are as important as the physical ones. Although a specific degree is not required, the experience is highly valued and they are given a specific 250-hour training.
People who have had some activity related to young children are sought. Several people have the qualification of Infant Educator, others are social issues, others have worked in childcare or anything that has to do with the world of children.
I have researched this course and I think it is very complete, demanding, and that, in addition to knowledge, the character, the way of resolving conflicts, of working in teams, of integrating and collaborating, are also highly valued, something also essential to treat Children empathically.
A part of the course is taught by the Cooperative Society that is hired by the Basque Government to manage the service called Agintzari. The other part is taught by a Vocational Training Institute where the most important part of the Higher Education Module is seen, especially in relation to attachment, social development, moral, sexual, game techniques, first aid, safety at home and a lot of teamwork training is also done.
The Family Nest
The Family Nest space It must have a minimum of 8 square meters per child and not have architectural barriers to access. You cannot have low fire (fireplace) and must have a telephone and internet connection. Before assembling the nest they go to the house, take photos, videos and if the nest is already going to be assembled comes a security expert and indicates everything that needs to be modified or equipped.
Ratio
The ratio or maximum proportion is four children per caregiver, but the number of three is considered ideal although with two children it is already considered viable. Its price is similar to the nursery.
Space distribution and organization
The space should be distributed and organized with some guidelines clear: you must enable a rest area, usually a room separate from the main playground where crawling spaces are prepared, to explore, toys are brought with the appropriate materials for the age of the children to come, high chairs are brought or a small table with chairs, plastic dishes, security systems for doors, drawers and plugs. That is, the space is conditioned for children and thinking about their needs.
You must have a changing table and a bathroom with urinals and other equipment for the exclusive use of babies. In addition, the safety aspect is very careful; As I said, there can be neither chimneys nor stoves with fire, the boilers must have their revisions and the electrical panel as well.
Pedagogy in Family Nests
The pedagogical orientation is the Pikler-Loczy, a very respectful way to face the early schooling of children and to which I will surely dedicate a topic soon.
An exemplary project
I must say that the idea of this project seems exemplary to me, taking into account that it is not considered as competition, but as a complement to other formulas such as kindergartens or nursery schools to favor the freedom of choice of parents and ensure a child care compatible with family conciliation.
And I must add that this is my favorite model for the care of children under three years old: a second home where they can be taken care of, putting above all the attention to their emotional attachment needs.
I hope that soon, not only will the Family Nests be maintained, but that they be expanded and serve as an example to other organisms that are inspired by them so that any family can opt for something similar near their home. Wouldn't you like to be able to take your young children there if it is necessary to separate from them to go to work?
Sometimes I despair when I read government programs to favor conciliation and I think that, more than in the real needs of babies, they are governed more by economic criteria or by the needs of adults. To think about children is to offer them a care the closest thing they would enjoy in their homes, with his parents, and this family nest model represents him perfectly.
Rarely can I send such a resounding congratulation to a public body for worrying about the needs of babies as I do to the Ministry of Social Services of the Basque Country for their Family Nests: the closest thing for a baby to be at home with mom.
Unfortunately, my congratulations are ephemeral, since it has recently been made public that it is planned to dismantle them for organizational reasons and to prioritize nursery schools. I do not explain it, I suppose that once again the children lose and the adults win.
