Chairperson of IPB University’s PKGA: Violence in Daycare Centers Undermines Children’s Sense of Security and Trust from an Early Age

Dr Yulina Eva Riany, Chairperson of the Center for Gender and Child Studies (PKGA) at IPB University, commented on the alleged case of violence at a daycare center. She noted that such incidents can have serious consequences for a child’s psychological development.

According to her, a child’s experiences in the early stages of life are crucial in shaping how they perceive the world. “Early childhood is a period for the development of a sense of security, emotional regulation, attachment, and basic trust. When caregivers become a source of threat, children may experience emotional confusion and view the world as an unsafe place,” she said.

She explained that, according to John Bowlby’s attachment theory, children need a caregiver who is consistent, responsive, and provides a sense of security. If these needs are not met, the child’s foundational relationship with their environment can be disrupted.

This is reinforced by Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, particularly the trust vs. mistrust phase from ages 0–2. During this stage, children begin to learn to trust the people around them.

“When violence comes from the caregiver, that trust building process can be damaged. The child may internalize the belief that the environment around them is untrustworthy,” she added.

Biological Impacts
The effects of violence on children are not only emotional but also biological. In the short term, children may exhibit excessive fear, cry for no apparent reason, have difficulty sleeping, experience nightmares, or regress such as wetting the bed again.

“Children may also become more fussy, refuse to be separated from their parents, or suddenly fear going to daycare,” she explained.

Furthermore, repeated traumatic experiences can even trigger toxic stress a condition of prolonged stress without adequate emotional support. This condition risks affecting a child’s brain development and mental health in the future.

“In the long term, the effects can develop into anxiety disorders, difficulty trusting others, behavioral issues, and even prolonged trauma,” she explained.

Findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are closely linked to mental and physical health into adulthood.

Dr Yulina added that in toddlers, trauma often does not manifest as verbal accounts but through behavioral changes.

“A child might become more aggressive, withdraw, lose interest in playing, or become very quiet. In fact, they might reenact frightening scenes in their play,” she explained.

According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, trauma and attachment disorders can make it difficult for children to regulate and express their emotions. Therefore, parents need to be attuned to changes in their child’s behavior after they’ve been placed in care.

She also highlighted the crisis of trust arising from this daycare case. However, she emphasized that trust can still be built through a more cautious approach.

“Trust must be based on verification. Parents need to ensure the daycare’s legal status, the quality of the caregivers, and a clear supervision system,” she stressed.

Practical steps that can be taken include directly observing the daycare environment, ensuring the presence of standard operating procedures (SOPs), and establishing regular communication with the management. Transparency, such as daily reports and access to monitoring, is a key factor.

She stressed that a daycare should not merely be a childcare facility but an ecosystem for early childhood care. “Caregivers must do more than just ‘like children.’ They must understand children’s emotional development, communication skills, and child protection principles,” she said.

She also emphasized the importance of the government’s role in standardization, accreditation, and oversight of daycare centers. “Early childhood experiences shape the foundation of a child’s life. If the environment is safe, daycare can support growth and development. But if not, the impact can be long-lasting,” she concluded. (AS) (IAAS/PRO)