In heated debates about whether child care damages young children, attachment theory has been seen as 'anti-child care'.

Rolfe rethinks this perception, demonstrating instead that understanding attachment is essential to good child care practice.

Rethinking attachment offers a thorough explanation of attachment theory and explains how security, autonomy and resilience in young children can be promoted in child care settings through a sound understanding of attachment principles.

With examples drawn from practice, Rolfe examines the relationships between:

• children and their carers;
• parents and carers; and
• carers themselves.

She also shows how secure attachment relationships with parents and carers influence transitions to child care, preschool and school.