Ch. 1 Familes and Childcare Explorations in Education

Objectives Explain why the need for child care services has grown Compare and contrast custodial, developmental, and comprehensive child care Compare and contrast the different options in child care Identify factors that promote quality in a child care program Analyze issues in child care

Quality Counts Quickwrite (please write the question): ▫Imagine you are a parent about to send your child off for the first time to the care of others (not family). What might be going through your head at this time? What would be important to you when finding child care?

Why does quality count? Child care – broad term that describes any situation in which children are provided with supervision, support and sometimes training by individuals outside the child’s immediate family Quality is key! ▫Trust ▫Child’s welfare – happiness, proper care

Growth of Child Care Early periods of history, care given by family, extended family, friends Exception – times of war ▫Child care centers for women working for war effort ▫Centers closed upon return of men 1950’s: ▫Nuclear families – mom, dad, children ▫Dad went off to work, mom stayed home with children – think Leave it to Beaver

Growth of Child Care Changes ▫Extended family - less likely to live in same household ▫1960’s – gender roles (behavior expected of a man or woman in the family and society) broadened  Women employed outside the home  1996 – 50% of preschoolers have a mother who works outside the home 

Growth of Childcare Why the Changes? ▫Need for dual income ▫More single parents ▫Career interests (fulfillment, leaving a career to care for children = loss of promotions, income, etc.)

Different Approaches to Child Care Increased need = different approaches, since no two children are alike Custodial Developmental Comprehensive

Custodial Care Think BABYSITTER Provide place for child to be supervised, basic needs such as food, place to rest, exercise (yard) Activities are informal, limited, no planned program

Developmental Care Goes beyond basic care, to provide education and social experiences Think PRESCHOOL Early childhood education – child care programs that promote development through formal teaching and learning experiences for children up to age 8. ▫Focus on critical time of development (0-8 yrs)

Comprehensive Care Think HEAD START Range of additional services ▫Basic care ▫Promote good development in children ▫Medical care for children ▫Parent education and training  health/nutrition  Raising children  Infant care  Discipline  Caring for special needs  Exercise classes for parents ams/ohshttp:// ams/ohs

Specific Child Care Options Child Care Centers Family Day Care Homes Infant/Toddler Child Care Centers Before and After School Programs Preschool/Nursery Schools Corporate Child Care Centers In-Home Child Care Montessori Preschools Head Start Programs Early Childhood Programs for Children w/ Special Needs Child care for Children who are Ill Crisis Nurseries Parent Co-ops Others

Child Care Matrix Compare and contrast the various child care options by creating a matrix (table). If the information is not provided, leave cell blank. Child Care Option What they provide/do Ages Serviced Hours of operation Unique Feature

What is Quality? Infants/young children cannot explain what their lives are like in child care setting Up to adults to make sure children are safe and happy Key Qualities: ▫Basic Needs Provided for  Times and places for eating, sleeping, toileting, cleaning up  Assistance with

What is Quality? Key Qualities: ▫Suitable Environment  Positive impression of environment  Things you see - furniture, equipment, supplies, toys  Things you feel – warmth, order, personalities and actions of employees ▫Well-Planned Curriculum (long range plan of activities and experiences for children)  Takes into consideration stages of development  Understanding of development  Lots of learning opportunities, variety

What is Quality? Key Qualities: ▫Organized Daily Schedule  Schedule = sense of security = better behavior ▫Appropriate Discipline  Which discipline techniques work best w/ children?  Positive approach  Clear and simple rules – number of children allowed at each center at a time  Plan schedules, have action plan for problems (biting/hitting), take action where needed

What is Quality? Key Qualities: ▫Parental Involvement  Bridge home and program  Consistency and cooperation ▫Record Development  Keep notes on child development ▫Professional Staff  Professionals who also grow through PD  Conferences, workshops  Staff Size

Select an issue to respond to: Does the creation of child care programs promote the breakdown of family? What price, if any, is paid by placing children in child care at a very young age? When and how should a child’s formal education begin? Why isn’t kindergarten enough? Should our government (taxpayers) provide free preschool?