1. Types of Early Childhood Programs
Chapter 2
Types of Early Childhood Programs

2. Terms to Know family child care home child care centers custodial care
Montessori approach
Head Start
school-age child care programs
checking-in services
parent cooperatives
laboratory schools
universal pre-kindergarten (UPK)
accredited

3. Family Child Care Homes
Family child care homes: a type of program where child care is provided in a private home
Program
Child may attend up to 12 hours a day
Developmental curriculum may be planned, if caregiver has received training

4. Child Care Centers
Child care centers: provide full-day care and education
Custodial care: focuses on meeting the child’s physical needs
Ideally, the program should meet needs in all areas of development.
Social
Emotional
Cognitive
Physical

5. Montessori Schools
Montessori approach: teach children how to learn, stressing
independence
sensory training
academic experience
proper nutrition
cleanliness
Manners

6. Head Start
Head start: federal program that provides child care and education to four- and five-year-olds from low-income families
Education: The curriculum is designed to build self-esteem that will lead to future success in school.
Self-confidence
Curiosity
Self-discipline

7. Head Start
Nutrition: provide at least one snack and one hot meal every day
Health: children receive a total health plan
Dental
Medical
Mental health
Parental involvement: parents participate in different activities
Recruiting new children
Assisting in the center
Taking part in policy meetings

8. Kindergarten
Kindergarten is part of most private and public school systems.
Schedules
Half-day
Full-day
Full-day/alternating day sessions

9. School-Age Care
School-age programs: provide care for children before and/or after school
Checking-in services: hiring workers who call the home to check whether the child has arrived safely

10. Parent Cooperatives
Parent cooperatives: formed and run by parents who wish to take part in their children’s preschool experience
Advantages
Teachers can devote more time to curriculum, parents take care of the administrative activities
Special relationship between parents and teachers
Disadvantages
Lack of control on teacher’s part in making rules

11. Laboratory Schools
Laboratory schools: located on a postsecondary or college campus
Purpose
Train future teachers
Serve as a study group for researchers
Characteristics
Highly qualified staff
Well-planned curriculum
Excellent equipment

12. High School Child Care Programs
High school child care programs: located in high schools that have started vocational training for child care occupations
Characteristics:
Operates two or three days a week
Curriculum is planned by high school students
High school students are supervised by a teacher

13. Universal Pre-Kindergarten
Universal pre-kindergarten (UPK): programs designed for three- and four-year-olds in which a literary-rich environment is provided
Children from these programs start kindergarten eager to learn
Children who lack early learning experiences are at a disadvantage

14. Selecting a Child Care Program
Factors to consider:
type of program
quality of program
cost
adult-child ratio
group size
security and cleanness of environment
condition of facilities
training and experience of the staff