Exploring the Well-Being of the Whole Child through the Eyes of Adult Carers

Through the eyes of adults caring for children in homes, pre-schools and in the wider early years community, this study uses a phenomenological approach to explore the meanings and understandings of child well-being in the early years. The study examines the possible links between adult understandings of child well-being and their provision of environments suitable for supporting children‟s well-being and explores how child well-being is viewed by adults in the context of the current early years education framework (DfE, 2014). Semi-structured interviews were used to elicit the thoughts and feelings of the participants through their experiences of caring for children. Analysis of the data suggests that there is a close link between child well-being and the environment. Factors such as the influence of everyday practices, relationships and the knowledge of children and their development are also significant. This study not only adds to what has already been written about child well-being, but reveals new understandings of the concept. The study findings introduce original insights into the impact that multiple meanings and understandings have on the way adults provide environments that support children‟s well-being in the early years.