Abstract:

The aim of this study is to reveal the realisation of the right of the child to participate in child day care centres based on the experience of children.
Qualitative research was conducted for the study using a semi-structured interview method. The research questions are the following: How do children realise their right to participate in child day care centres? What difficulties to realise the right to participate do children encounter in child day care centres? Twelve children, who attended child day care centres, located in different regions in Lithuania, participated in the study. The data obtained during the study were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Qualitative content analysis was performed based on inductive category formation logic based on the study data.

The study revealed the positive aspects of realising the right of the child to participate and the difficulties arising in child day care centres. The positive aspects of the realisation of the right of the child to participate are associated with the opportunities, which were created in day care centres, for children to express their opinion, the showing of employees to the child that his opinion is important, and the involvement of children in decision-making. In day care centres, children have the right to express their opinions, because they are informed and know that they can make their views known on various issues, children are also encouraged to make their opinions known and they make them known on various issues related to them. Another positive aspect of the realisation of the right of the child to participate in child day care centres is showing to the child that his opinion is important to employees. The findings of the study show that children understand that their opinion is important to employees, because they listen to the opinion of the child, examine the opinion of the child, and do not disparage the opinion of the child. Another positive aspect of the realisation of the right of the child to participate in child day care centres is the involvement of children in decision-making. Employees involve children in decision-making by discussing with them when making decisions. They also make decisions together with the child while taking into consideration the opinion of the child. If a decision, which is taken, does not meet the expectations of the child, the child receives the explanation why it is so. Furthermore, employees, if need be, assist the child in making their mind up, and the child is encouraged to make decisions autonomously.

The study identified difficulties in realising the right of the child to participate in child day care centres, which are associated with the lack of cooperation between employees and children when making decisions, and the passive position of the child when implementing his right to participate. The lack of cooperation with children when making decisions is expressed through failure to listen to the child, not considering the opinion of the child and failure to explain why one or another decision was taken, and the lack of mutual agreements when making decisions in various activities. The passive position of the child, when realising his right to participate, is expressed when the child fails to make his opinion and needs known due to negative experiences, when the child has no confidence in himself, and when the child lacks communication and cooperation skills.

Keywords:

Children's day care centres, children's experience, qualitative research, right of the child to participate.