NIGHT DAYCARE CENTERS: LIMITS OF AN ADULT-CENTRIC RIGHT

Abstract

This article addresses the debate surrounding night-time daycare and the limitations that surround it in guaranteeing the rights of mothers, fathers, and guardians of children, especially infants, toddlers, and young children in the early childhood education age range. To understand the issue of night-time daycare as a policy designed to serve adult-centric rights at the expense of the integral development of the child, who is a historical subject of rights, the article uses documentary analysis of Brazilian educational legislation, as well as literature from specific political actors who contributed to supporting the need for a social, educational, and cultural support network so that children in early childhood education are not subjected to nighttime hours/spaces that should be dedicated to family life and ensuring the enjoyment of the child's inherent needs at this stage of life for their full development. It is concluded that studies on night-time daycare centers point to public policies that regress on the historical rights of children and are alien to fundamental principles regarding children based on the doctrine of integral protection, namely: the absolute priority of education and family life, and the prevalence of the child's interests as a developing person.