Child Care Worker Fatigue in Day Care Nurseries: The Relationship between Worker Fatigue, Children’s Emotional Stability and Group Size

Abstract

This study investigated the characteristics of the day care nursery environment where the interactions between the child care worker (care worker) and children function effectively. Specifically, the influence of care worker fatigue on their perception of children’s emotional states, and the relationship between care giver fatigue and group size was examined.

We conducted a survey of licensed day care nurseries, targeting care workers in charge of classes for infants, one year olds, and two year olds, and received responses from 7,290 care workers. Analysis of the results showed that while caring for children, care worker fatigue affected their precise and timely discernment of children’s emotional states. Furthermore, the results suggested that larger group size caused greater care worker fatigue and contributed to a more collective perception of the emotional states of children. Given these results, we recommended the following with regard to desirable group size for children in care: 7–9 children for groups with infants or children under one (three or more care workers); 6–12 children for groups with one year olds (two or more care workers); and 7–12 children for groups with two year olds (two or more care workers). We also stressed that group size should be determined, not only by care worker-child ratio, but should also take into account group functioning (group dynamics) as well.