Charlie Owen

Marital relations during the transition to parenthood

Abstract Aspects of marital relations over the transition to parenthood were studied as part of a longitudinal study of the experiences of first-time parents. The response of the sample was complex. Marital satisfaction started high and showed only a modest decline overall. Many parents reported gains in their marriage due to having a child. There were, however, more negative features. Uathcr more than one in 10 couples had significantly weakened marriages by the end of the transition period: parental age and length of marriage appeared to be relevant factors in this group, with younger couples and marriages of shorter duration more ‘at risk’. Moreover, this figure may be higher nationally because of the undcr-reprcsentation of certain ‘at risk’ groups in the sample. Finally, it is argued that the roots of further and later decline in many marriages can be seen in the transition period, especially in the areas of sexual relationships and mens lack of understanding of the experiences of women providing fu...

Patterns of preschool provision in English local authorities 1

It is estimated that in 1986 40‐50% of children in England aged 3 and 4 were attending pre‐school playgroups. Another 20% were receiving education in nursery schools and classes, mostly part time, whilst a further 20% were in the reception classes of infant schools, mostly full time. Using data on the provision of these services within each local authority in England it is shown that the numbers of nursery education and of playgroup places are strongly negatively correlated. Combining these statistics with data from the 1981 Census it is also shown that the rates of provision are strongly related to the socio‐economic characteristics of the authorities, such that playgroups predominate in the more affluent areas whereas high levels of nursery education are found in urban areas with more material disadvantage. 1. The work reported in this paper is part of a larger study of playgroups funded by the Department of Health, although the Department is not responsible for the views expressed.

Quality of educational settings for four-year-old children in England

SUMMARY The purpose of this study was to describe the quality of different forms of provision for four-year-old children in England. A sample of local authority day nurseries, private day nurseries, nursery classes and playgroups were studied. Quality was assessed with the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS), child to adult ratio and group size. Results showed that the different settings presented important differences in their scores; nursery classes had higher scores on ECERS, whereas local authority day nurseries had better values of child to adult ratio and group size.