Standard 6

Name possible caregivers for children. List characteristics of a responsible caregiver. Describe the responsibilities of caregivers. continued

Determine helpful resources for caregivers. Identify employment opportunities for caregivers.

caregiver. A person who provides care for someone else. child care cooperative. A child care program formed by groups of parents who share in the care of their children, allowing parents more control over the program. foster care. Care provided for a child who needs a home temporarily.

hotline. A telephone number people can call for information or other assistance with a specific problem. nanny. A trained individual who provides quality child care in a parent’s home. parenting. The name given to the process of raising a child.

A caregiver is a person who provides care for someone elsecaregiver Parents are a child’s primary caregivers continued © ampyang/Shutterstock

Many people may fill the role of caregiver – Relatives (older siblings, grandparents) – Babysitters – Child care providers – Preschool teachers – Guardians and foster parents continued

Sometimes the role of caregiver is more informal – Example: A neighbor may invite a child to go on an outing © Dmitriy Shironosov/Shutterstock

 Have you ever been responsible for the care of a child? If so, what were your responsibilities? © rSnapshotPhotos/Shutterstock

Everyone is not equally qualified to be a caregiver The characteristics of responsible caregivers fall into four categories – Personal qualities – Personal skills – Knowledge and experience – Good health

Enjoy children Patient Flexible Alert to children’s needs Exercise self-control Consistent Set good examples

Communication skills – Speak clearly and simply – Use positive statements – Communicate well with other adults © bikeriderlondon/Shutterstock

Child caregivers make many decisions each day involving children in their care To help settle conflicts, they need to know when and how to get involved To maintain a healthful, safe environment, they need to be able to foresee and prevent problems

Caregivers need to know how to manage time well – Basic time management skills – Know how to set priorities, or distinguish between important and urgent matters

All caregivers should have a basic knowledge of – child growth and development – children’s needs, abilities, and interests – appropriate activities continued

Experience is gained by interacting with children, reading books, and taking classes © Blend Images/Shutterstock

Good health allows caregivers to function to the best of their ability Caring for children is demanding and requires – continuous physical activity – mental alertness to a child’s needs – ability to cope with stress and emotional pressures of meeting responsibilities

To stay healthy, caregivers need to – get proper nutrition – get enough rest – exercise regularly – get immunized regularly © Kurhan/Shutterstock

Parents and other caregivers are responsible for meeting children’s many needs including – physical needs – social needs – emotional needs – intellectual needs

Food Clothing Shelter Medical care Health and safety © Artem Efimov/Shutterstock

Children must be taught how to interact with other children and adults—how to share, communicate, and compromise continued © auremar/Shutterstock

Children need moral guidance –t o learn right from wrong –t o learn how to behave in socially acceptable ways

Caregivers need to set limits, love, and guide children Children need to – feel loved no matter what they do – learn how to express emotions in acceptable ways – grow to become independent adults

Caregivers must provide children with opportunities that will help them grow and learn © oliveromg/Shutterstock

Where to go to learn about being a responsible caregiver – Local library – Reliable websites – Public and private agencies – Hotlines (phone numbers that people can call for information or assistance) Hotlines – Support groups

There is a growing demand for quality caregivers, especially for dual-career and single-parent families continued © Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

Most jobs require additional education beyond high school A two-year associate’s degree in child development or related area is often a minimum requirement continued

Child care workers must meet state licensing requirements to work with young children To be licensed, workers in child care facilities must meet educational requirements Licensing requirements vary from state to state

Child care in the parent’s home may be provided by a nannynanny Some nannies also do household chores Nannies are often costly Nannies who live with a family receive room and board, plus a salary

The most common type of child care in the U.S. has been child care in the caregiver’s home continued © Darko Zeljkovic/Shutterstock

Benefits – A family-type setting – Less structure allows for play and relaxation – Hours are usually flexible – Less costly than some other options

All caregivers are responsible for the well- being of the children in their care If parents do not meet their children’s needs, the state can act on their behalf In extreme cases, the state provides foster care for children needing temporary homes foster care continued

Laws protect children’s rights – Laws require school attendance – Child labor laws protect children The state, or government, provides child welfare services – Food and assistance to families in need

How is a positive statement to a child different from a negative statement?  positive statements tell children what to do; negative statements tell them what not to do List the four categories of children’s needs.  physical, social, emotional, intellectual continued

Which child care setting do many parents prefer for their infants and toddlers?  child care in the parent’s home Give an example of how society protects children.  Answers will vary.