The Significance of Contact Books in Relationships between Parents and Caregivers

Abstract

To clarify the significance of contact books, this study focuses on their description from the perspective of relationships between a caregiver and a parent that determine the quality of the childcare process. Findings from a qualitative analysis of a year's entries in one parental contact book confirmed that entries of the parent and the caregiver increased in scope over time, making possible the following observations: (1) contact books can serve as a record of the development of mutual understanding between caregivers and parents; (2) the relationship between caregivers and parents determines the quality of the childcare process; (3) it is necessary that caregivers share parental recognition and perspectives on development; and (4) the need for improving the quality of childcare structures may be reasonably suggested.