Types of Early Childhood Programs

After review of this presentation you will be able to…. List and describe the various types of early childhood programs. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of each type of program. Name the three types of center sponsorship. Explain steps a parent may take in choosing quality child care.

Most common type of child care in U.S. Family Childcare Home Most common type of child care in U.S. Provided in a private home. Most states require licensing. A developmental curriculum may be planned.

Child Care Centers Offer full-day programs. Focus: provide care and education. Must be licensed. Designed to meet the child’s basic nutrition, health , and safety needs. Most open early in the morning and remain open until six or seven o’clock in the evening.

Montessori Schools Maria Montessori developed her own method of education. Children learn best by being active. Approach to learning was “learn how to learn”. Allowed the child to explore materials. Materials were related to the child’s physical and mental development. Independence is stressed. Children learn to care for themselves. Teachers provide little help. Children learn through practical life experiences.

Head Start Federally funded program for preschoolers designed to overcome the negative effects of poverty. Provides child care and education for four and five year olds from low-income families. Head Start programs also offer nutrition and health care. Parental Involvement is encouraged. Parents are able to influence decisions.

Kindergarten The first Kindergarten was opened in Germany. Kindergarten curriculum stressed play. Focus: Self-development takes place through play. The first American kindergarten: Watertown, Wisconsin in 1856. Today kindergartens are part of most public and many private school systems.

School-Age Child Care Provide care for children before and/or after school. Children from 5-10 years old most often attend. Children often do homework, play games, and take part in other activities in School-Age programs.

Laboratory Schools Located on a postsecondary or college campus. Provide excellent programs for children. Primary purpose is to train future teachers and to serve as a study group for research. Highly qualified staff, Well-planned curriculum and Excellent equipment.

High School Child Care Programs Train future child care professionals. Often offered under the ROP program. Program may operate two or three days a week. High school students plan and present the curriculum under the supervision of a teacher. Other students observe the children while others work directly with the children.

These programs are sometimes offered on high school campuses. They offer care for the children of the students while they are in class. They usually require the high school students to participate in parenting classes. The program is usually under the direction of a fully qualified preschool teacher. On Campus Child Care

Funding for Preschool There are three kinds of sponsorship: Public, Private, and Employer-sponsored centers. Public Sponsorship programs are funded by federal, state, or local governments. Private Sponsorship are programs that are privately owned . They may be operated by an individual, a house of worship, hospital, or charitable organization. Many are nonprofit. Most private programs are operated by independent owners. Employer Sponsorship-companies provide child care assistance so that employees have better work attitudes, new employees are attracted and community relations improve.

A big decision for parents and not an easy one. Selecting a child care program is important for parents. Must consider: cost, location, and type of program provided.

Questions to ask when selecting Quality Child Care Do the children appear to be happy, active, and secure? Are all staff educationally qualified? Does the curriculum support the children’s development? Is the indoor and outdoor environment large enough to support a variety of activities? Is the environment inviting, warm, and stimulating? Are teacher-child interactions positive? Are teachers using developmentally appropriate strategies? Does the climate in the center ”feel” positive? Do teachers meet with parents regularly? Is sufficient equipment available?

Review Questions: Types of Early Childhood Programs During the first five years of life, children develop rapidly. Differences between early childhood programs are normal. Family child care programs vary according to the skills of the caregiver. Most child care centers provide care 24 hours daily. Montessori’s goal was to “learn how to learn.” In Montessori schools, children learn from sensory training. Nutrition is an important part of a Head Start program. The largest group of privately sponsored child care programs are those operated by churches.

List five questions parents should ask when selecting a child care program. What are some questions a parent should ask themselves when looking for a child care program? List three differences between a child care home and child care center.

Resources Working with Young Children, Judy Herr: Copyright 2008, The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc. www.googleimages.com:www.youth-health.org, www.yellow-springsk12.dr.us, www.columbia.edu, www.littlenoble.com, www.handnhand.org, www.sciam.com, www.moodyservices.com