A 4-year longitudinal study of 53 children (ages 7-12 at start) and their employed parents explored self-care arrangements and the children's reactions to them. Variations included range of activities and settings, extent of children's after school responsibilities, social support and children's interpretations. (MT)

This study examined child care patterns during the summer months among 6- to 12-year-old children with employed parents or primary caretakers. Using interview data from the 1999 National Survey of Americas Families, the study analyzed two key aspects of summer child care: the types of arrangements for school-age children and the amount families…

After-school settings and activities for 206 urban children, grades one through four were examined, and associations with behavioral adjustment noted. Found that effects of activities on externalizing and internalizing behaviors were more pronounced in lower income children than in those from middle and upper income backgrounds. Peer interaction…

The purpose of this practicum was to develop an on-site training program for latchkey family day care home providers. Practicum objectives were to (1) develop a pilot project involving three family day care homes in Pinellas County, Florida; (2) assist caregivers in meeting the annual training requirements; (3) design and implement, on-site, a…

Suggests that concern for "latchkey" children during World War II was hyperbolic. Examines the variety of successful solutions parents devised for child day care: (1) day care arrangements made by families themselves; (2) Lanham Act child day care centers; (3) centers operated by private industry; and (4) the very successful Extended…

Information and materials are presented to aid in the development of an after school program for latchkey children. An introduction describes the program that served as the basis for this manual and that provided this community service while giving hands-on learning experience to high school vocational child development and child care students.…

Provides plot summaries of books for young readers two to nine years of age that present images of different types of family life. Books about the origin and development of families, family roles and relationships, alternate caretakers as well as books focusing on nonsexist roles, and emotions are briefly described. (Author/RH)

This competency-based curriculum for child care occupations is composed of 30 tasks. For each task, the following information is provided: task title, task number, behavioral objectives, required resources, learning activities with required resources and/or assignments, and recommended student evaluation. Topics covered include participation in…

Situational issues related to families and influences upon families in North Dakota and the United States are briefly outlined in these fact sheets. Contents specifically concern (1) outbound migration from North Dakota and transition of rural families from farming; (2) suicide in North Dakota and the nation; (3) child care issues, such as child…

Reviews Click's book, which explains the development of children during middle childhood; discusses the role of the many individuals involved in a child care facility; introduces developmentally appropriate practices and programs for cultural and linguistic diversity; and describes how to implement a variety of activities. Finds that despite…

The ERIC/EECE Digests in this compilation focus on different aspects of the education and care of children from birth through 12 years of age. The four digests produced in 1989 concern the escalating kindergarten curriculum, involvement of parents in the education of their children, mixed-age groups in early childhood education, and praise in the…

Presents some of the major concerns and challenges faced by parents, employers, and the community as a whole in providing quality after-school (and summer) child care programs for elementary school-aged ("latchkey") children. Adequately trained staff and activities providing for children's physical, emotional, and social needs are important. (BB)

During 1992, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare instituted several new collaborative projects to increase training opportunities for child care employees in the state: (1) to assure that high quality training would continue to be offered; (2) to respond to the mandate for ongoing training for all child care workers; and (3) to subsidize…

Discusses research on school-age child care programs and highlights three particularly significant issues: space constraints, staffing problems, and high summer enrollments. Discusses the place of school-age care in education reform and suggests that school-age care programs be modeled after the home rather than the school. (BB)

Research suggests that how children spend their out-of-school hours can significantly affect their social development and school success. The Out-of-School Time Study, conducted by the School-Age Child Care Project at the Wellesley College Center for Research on Women, investigated how young low-income children in three urban communities spent…