In the early days after the founding of New China,childcare work was a work that was coordinated by the Party and the government and with the help of the broad masses,and the child welfare undertakings of childcare institutions were widely established and developed,and it was a work that displayed the social outlook.As one of the cities with the most developed industrial economy in China,Shanghai’s childcare work is directly related to the development of production and construction.During the Republican period,the development of childcare in Shanghai was slow and the quality was worrying,which was difficult to meet the childcare needs of the masses.In the early days of the founding of New China,in order to promote the process of socialist production and construction,the emancipation of women and the care of children,the Party carried out a series of work to promote the two-way development of the quantity and quality of childcare institutions,as well as the standardization of childcare services.From 1949 to 1958,the development of childcare in Shanghai was rich in theory,practice and practical factors.From a theoretical level,the idea of emancipating women and socializing childcare is an important part of Marx and Engels,Leninism,Stalin Thought and Mao Zedong Thought;From a practical level,whether during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression or the War of Liberation,the Party vigorously developed nursery schools and childcare institutions and other childcare institutions,promoted the development of revolutionary work by protecting the descendants of the revolution,and provided historical experience for the development of childcare work after the founding of New China;From a practical level,at the beginning of the founding of New China,the country was in ruins,and out of the needs of production and construction,the liberation of women was unstoppable,and the development of childcare work solved the worries of the vast number of women.With the continuous development of economic and social prosperity and stability,Shanghai’s childcare work has roughly experienced three stages: start-up,expansion and rapid development.In the initial period of 1949-1952,childcare institutions experienced unprecedented growth,showing rapid establishment,many types of characteristics,and the Party and the State focused on improving the quality of childcare.In the expansion period from 1953 to 1955,childcare institutions continued the previous growth trend,especially after the implementation of the "First Five-Year Plan",social resources were concentrated in the industrial sector,factory nurseries,agricultural and rural nurseries,and some Lilong childcare institutions developed rapidly.In the stage of rapid development from 1956 to 1958,the socialist upsurge prompted the rapid establishment of childcare institutions,especially in Lilong,which not only greatly met the requirements of different occupations and different strata of child care,but also exerted mass strength to alleviate the shortage of national human and material resources.Looking at the development trajectory of childcare work,Shanghai’s childcare work has formed a reasonable construction path,that is,a sound organizational structure,perfect childcare and education content,a professional team and a standardized institutional system.This series of measures and paths ensures the steady progress of childcare work,and also provides reference experience for the development of childcare work nationwide.To sum up,the development of childcare work in Shanghai from 1949 to 1958 is of great historical significance.First of all,it has been effective.It not only accommodates large numbers of children,but also improves child survival and upbringing;Moreover,it frees up the female labor force and promotes women’s employment.Under such circumstances,Shanghai’s childcare work has successfully improved children’s social welfare and demonstrated a new social atmosphere.Second,its experience can be learned.While strengthening the party’s political,organizational and ideological leadership,Shanghai’s childcare work also standardizes childcare services in various ways such as training,contact contracts,and management systems,and also exerts mass strength,which promotes the sustainable development of childcare work. |