Types of Early Childhood Programs 2 Types of Early Childhood Programs

Key Concepts All the many types of child care programs have advantages and disadvantages. Child care programs can have public, private, or employer sponsorship. Licensing and accreditation are important in the selection of child care programs.

Objectives List and describe the various types of early childhood programs available to parents and their children. Assess the advantages and disadvantages of each type of program. Differentiate between the types of center sponsorship. continued

Objectives Explain steps families may take in choosing quality child care. List indications of quality in early childhood programs. Recognize licensing rules and regulations that help keep centers safe. List the components of center accreditation. Discuss instruments used to measure the quality of child care.

Family Child Care Family child care provides child care by people other than a relative or parent Often in private neighborhood homes Some states require licensing May attend up to 12 hours a day

Child Care Centers Child care centers are the most popular type of service Programs based on provider skills and state licensing requirements

Montessori Schools Montessori schools focus on self-education in a prescribed sequence The Montessori approach stresses independence with little help from teachers practical life experiences sensory training mastered before academics are introduced

Head Start The Head Start program was designed by the federal government in the 1960s to overcome the negative effects of poverty on young children Provides child care for infants, toddlers, and four- to five-year-olds from low-income families May be full- or part-time; in a center or home Provides medical and social services continued

Head Start Education Curriculum is designed to build self-esteem that will lead to future success Family involvement is key Curiosity Self-confidence Self-discipline continued

Head Start Nutrition Health services provided One snack and one hot meal every day Health services provided Dental Medical including immunizations Mental health continued

Head Start Parental involvement Recruiting new children Assisting in the center Taking part in policy meetings

Did You Know? Head Start is administered under the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Two-thirds of the nearly 1,335,600 individuals who volunteer are parents.

Kindergarten Kindergarten is part of most private and public school systems Schedules include half-day full-day full-day/alternating day sessions continued

Kindergarten Program goals and objectives include literacy skills that include oral language, phonological awareness, letter knowledge, and print knowledge math skills that include number sense, measurement, geometry, and calculating life science that focuses on animals, the human body, and plants earth science that focuses on weather and recycling continued

Kindergarten Program goals and objectives include social studies skills that focus on family life, lifestyles, and responsibilities to peers and society social learning skills that foster the development of self-esteem and self-worth; following directions, using time wisely, positive peer interactions, and developing independence continued

Kindergarten Curriculum may vary from school to school It can include preacademic skills social development creative activities

School-Age Child Care Children from ages 5 to 10 most often attend school-age child care programs Before- and after-school care Sponsored by schools, religious organizations, or child care centers Programs supplement regular classes continued

School-Age Child Care Check-in services are provided for parents of older children Call the home and check whether the child has arrived safely

Parent Cooperatives Parent cooperatives allow parents to prepare budgets hire teachers set program policies and goals assist in the classroom utilize full- or half-days Developmental experiences for adults as well as children continued

Parent Cooperatives Advantages Disadvantages Teachers can devote more time to curriculum, while parents take care of the administrative activities Special relationship between parents and teachers Disadvantages Teachers have less control; rules set by parents continued

Parent Cooperatives Sessions Fees Two to three hours per day Two to five days a week Fees Less than other programs Paid head teacher, with parents performing all additional duties

Laboratory Schools Laboratory schools are university- and college-affiliated programs Train future teachers Serve as a study group for research Have highly qualified staff Have well-planned curriculum Use excellent equipment

High School Child Care Programs High school child care programs train future child care professionals Laboratory facilities for students to work with preschoolers while supervised by a teacher Operate two or three days a week Curriculum is planned by high school students Students observe and work directly with children

Sponsorship of Early Childhood Centers Public, private, or employer-sponsored child care centers Public sponsorships include Head Start public university child care centers publicly funded preschools, laboratory schools, and high school child care programs continued

Sponsorship of Early Childhood Centers Private sponsorships may be operated by houses of worship hospitals charitable organizations child care corporations (national chains) Employer sponsorships offer child care sponsored on-site or nearby for employees’ children

Universal Prekindergarten Universal prekindergarten (UPK) is a state-sponsored program for three- and four-year-olds High-quality, literary-rich environment Eagerness to learn in kindergarten Early learning experiences for disadvantaged children

Selecting a Child Care Program Factors to consider Promotes children’s safety and comfort Quality of program, cost, and location Promotes all areas of child development NAEYC recommended Staff training, experience, and turnover ratio Adult-child ratio and group size Condition of facilities

child care referral agency The Selection Process Search child care referral agency online/phone book friends and relatives Investigate calling visiting Choose

Discuss If you were selecting a child care program for your child, what are some other factors that you would consider?

Licensing Rules and Regulations affect the safety and health of the children protect parents, employers, and employees A child care license is a state-provided certificate granting permission to operate a child care center family child care

Center Accreditation The best indicator of high-quality early care and education is being accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs Improves the quality of programs Helps parents find high-quality child care Assures parents their children are receiving quality care

Discuss What are the requirements to receive accreditation for a child care program in your state?

Brainstorm What are some advantages and disadvantages of these child care programs? Curriculum Fees Schedule A D Family child care Child care centers Head Start Montessori schools

Quality Rating Systems Help parents judge quality Infant/Toddler Environmental Rating Scale (ITERS-R) Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scale School-Age Care Early Rating Scale

Review List five types of child care programs. What are the three types of sponsorships for child care programs? True or false. Licensing and accreditation are not important in the selection of child care programs.