This Massachusetts Kids Count report details the current condition of child care in the state of Massachusetts, discussing the importance of quality child care and the need to improve the affordability, access, and quality of Massachusetts child care. The report describes difficulties in finding child care and presents data on demand for child…

Surveyed more than 1,200 families with newborns during the infants' first year to establish data about basic demographics of child care: initiation and amount; child care history patterns; and types, multiplicity, and stability of care. Found high reliance on infant care, rapid entry into care post birth, and instability in care. (MT)

Discusses how providing developmentally appropriate choices to toddlers can prevent conflicts during caregiving tasks and daily routines in child care settings. Emphasizes maintaining a balance between children's needs and adult issues of time and space. Notes the importance of examining one's feelings and values to increase awareness of one's…

Describes the concept of sensitive and competent infant care in group child-care settings. Offers seven principles to provide a more complete picture of sensitive and competent care, covering aspects of caregiving including interactions with the child, providing opportunities for learning, and working with the child's own needs and schedules.…

Reviews Bassett's work intended to provide information to people training to be caregivers to infants and young children. Notes the clear presentation, wide coverage, and skill checklists. Recommends the book for parents and infant and child caregivers. (JPB)

Infants and toddlers like to crawl, climb, run, and explore in wide open, outdoor spaces. This publication provides ideas for day care providers on using outdoor play to facilitate learning in infants and toddlers. Section 1 discusses the benefits of daily outdoor play, including learning to interact with others, practicing language skills,…

Information on how warm and responsive care can help shape infants' and toddlers' development and their ability to learn can be reassuring for concerned parents. This guide, in English and Spanish versions, presents quality child care as a partnership between the child caregiver and the parents with the primary goal of benefiting the child. The…

Suggests strategies for caregivers to encourage peer interactions in infant/toddler programs. Strategies include helping children become familiar with surroundings and one another, maintaining social groups and friendships, varying the number and types of toys available at one time, controlling the number of children in a particular space, and…

Examined associations among infant caregivers' training and the quality of care they provide. Found through observation and rating of 50 Caucasian female caregivers that as infant caregiver training levels increased, so did mean scores on some dimensions of quality, such as personal care routines and learning activities. (EV)

Describes a national project to recognize child care programs that succeed in balancing competing interests of staff, children, and families. Discusses lessons learned from 10 selected programs, including using funding beyond parent fees, educating parents about program costs, advocating by the director, professionalizing staff, tailoring parent…

Presents information on caring for infants in a child care setting. Suggestions include responding quickly to crying, setting the schedule to baby's pace, talking to the baby, using proper hand-washing procedures, checking the room daily for safety, going outdoors every day, and building partnerships with parents. Includes a sample form for…

This two-volume reference presents the latest findings on the mental, emotional, and physical life of the human infant. The entries present thorough and current assessments of infancy issues as well as brief definitions and descriptions of scientific, technological, and psychological terms. Coverage includes discussion of the critical issues,…

Selecting a child care program for infants presents special challenges for parents. This brochure provides information for parents on: the importance of high quality caregiving for their infant's development; infants' abilities and needs for warm human contact; important caregiver characteristics; and the caregiver-family partnership. The brochure…

This pamphlet from the Colorado State Board of Education lists activities that parents and caregivers should see in schools that are providing high-quality care and education for young children. The quality indicators are listed by age group (infant/toddler, 3- to 5-year-olds, 6- to 8-year-olds) and are presented as responses to the question,…

This issue of the Australian Early Childhood Association Research in Practice Series discusses how educators can observe and respond appropriately to the infants in their care. The booklet examines the two major opportunities for early childhood educators that have been shown to influence outcomes for infants: (1) the opportunity to help infants…