Finding Quality Early Childcare

Table of Contents

Preface
Why is it important to find quality childcare?
What are the Benefits of Selecting High Quality Childcare?
What Do I Need to Know about Childcare?
Chapter 1: License, Accreditation, and Policies
What Is Licensed Child Care?
What Does a License Require?
What is an Accreditation?
How Does a Childcare Program Become Accredited?
Early Childhood Accrediting Bodies
Center Policies
Chapter 2: Models of Learning
Child-Centered vs. Teacher-Centered
Styles of Learning
Doing Your Research
Chapter 3: Classroom Placement
Moving Children by Age Milestones
Year-long Classroom Placement
Multi-Age Classroom Placement
Additional Questions
Chapter 4: Health and Safety Standards
Ratios
Supervision
Reducing Injury
Reducing the Spread of Illness
Healthy Meals
Safe Sleep
Smoke-Free Campus
Chapter 5: Quality Early Childhood Educators
Quality Early Childhood Teachers
Quality Administrators
Teacher Turnover
Does the Program Support the Staff?
Chapter 6: Quality Curriculum & the Developmentally Appropriate Environment
Areas of Content
Quality Curriculum
Language-Rich Environment
Developmentally-Appropriate
The Classroom Environment
Chapter 7: Child Care for Children with Special Needs
Staff Experience
Support Services
Adaptations to the Environment
Adaptations to the Curriculum
Schedules
Policies
Medication and Allergies
Chapter 8: Infant Childcare
Basic Care Compared to Infant Curriculum
Safe Sleep
Feeding
Continuity of Care Compared to Rooms by Age
Language-Rich Environment
Parent Teacher Communication
Chapter 9: The Kindergarten Controversy
Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?
School Readiness Skills
Kindergarten Expectations
The Recommendation of the Preschool Teacher
Transitional Kindergarten
Making the Final Decision
Appendix 1: Vocabulary
Appendix 2: Resources
Appendix 3: Questions for Touring a Childcare Facility
About the Author

Choosing a childcare program can be a stressful experience for new parents, and it is essential to choose a program that meets the child’s needs and instills confidence in the parent. In this practical guide, Vanover, an experienced early-childhood educator and researcher, introduces parents to the elements of quality early childcare and provides guidance for selecting the right program. The majority of the book focuses on various characteristics of programs, such as licensing and accreditation, curriculum and activities, attention to children’s health and safety, and teachers and administrators. There are more specific topics, such as childcare for infants, the transition from preschool to kindergarten, and childcare for children with special needs such as developmental delays or health problems. Each chapter ends with a helpful series of questions that parents should ask when touring facilities in order to gather the information they need to make the best decision. The information is straightforward and clearly presented and gives parents a good understanding of both general theory and practical application of early-childhood education, allowing them to make an informed choice for their children.