Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to first elaborate on the notion of a learning environment based on an empirical study of care work. Second, to explore how aspects of a learning environment may differ between and within units in the same organization, and how to understand and explain such differences. Design/methodology/approach: The study…

Using a new approach to studying day care centers, this study focused on the total climate of the day care center and the climate's effects on children's social and emotional behavior. A theoretical model for analyzing day care climate is presented. The model includes variables such as job satisfaction, work atmosphere, interactions between…

Twelve day care centers in a Swedish commune were systematically observed. Centers were selected on the basis of responses to a questionnaire on attitudes about upbringing which was answered by all the personnel at the 104 day care centers in the commune. Four of the selected centers represented a so-called "present-focused" upbringing…

School climates at 12 day care centers in Sweden were compared to investigate effects of center climates on children's social and emotional behavior. Observations and interviews conducted at the day care centers revealed differences in center climates related to child-rearing patterns, patterns of interaction, the distribution of power, and in…

Twelve Swedish day-care centers were studied concerning patterns of adult behavior towards children, and adult intentions, attitudes, and norms regarding work and interpersonal relations. Found that patterns of adult behavior were proscribed by three different center climates: future focused, present focused, and combined. Three patterns of adult…