A significant research base supports the positive benefits of quality early care and education (ECE) for later developmental and academic outcomes. Noting that many ECE settings are of mediocre quality and that quality of care is related to teacher/caregiver qualifications, this working paper examines states initiatives to improve the…

Noting that providing child care is a business as well as a service to families, this videotape from the Indiana Child Care Collection details the basics in starting and maintaining a family child care program. The 28-minute video begins with a series of questions to help in the decision to become a child caregiver and features childcare providers…

This guide is designed to supply information to professionals who work with grandparents. A panel of grandparents and professionals met during a 1-day retreat to review parenting information. The manual describes the situation of grandparents raising their grandchildren, provides a guide to materials addressing some grandparents' parenting needs,…

Noting that all parents can help their baby's brain to grow, this guide, in English- and Spanish-language versions, explores what science has learned about infant brain development and how parents and caregivers can influence cognitive development. Topics covered include: prenatal care, touching your baby, teaching about feelings and self-control,…

In 1994, the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Services for Families with Infants and Toddlers set forth a vision for Early Head Start programs in declaring that all child care settings used by Early Head Start families, whether or not the program provides the care directly, must meet the high standards of quality embodied in the Head Start…

Describes Maryland's extensive network of day care centers for severely mentally retarded children. Specific characteristics, stipulated for all the programs, are reviewed. (Author/AJ)

Conclusions from a study of 505 mothers in 9 rural southern Illinois counties are: (1) they prefer the home environment over a day care center environment; (2) if available, a majority would use day care; and (3) if good infant care were available, most would work outside the home because of need or desire. (LC)

Defines basic rights of institutionalized children to be (1) achievement of developmental goals, (2) protection and sustenance, and (3) therapy (corrective intervention and control). Identifies criteria for determining child abuse in institutional settings and describes steps that would improve the reporting and investigation of child abuse and…

Discusses the realtionship between toddler behavior and quality child care, and compares the care given to 18-month-old children in home care and center care situations. (CM)

Presents five strategies used by child-care center directors when teachers' personal stress affects their job performance. Notes that most directors identify irritability with children and coworkers as a sign of stress. Their most common strategy is to recommend community resources to staff for counseling and help with problems. (Author/KB)

This self-review tool for center directors consists of a seven-part survey which analyzes the program, work environment, budget and finance, public relations and community outreach, family relations, planning and administration, and professionalism. The survey was developed to assist onsite directors in their professional growth via personal and…

Data on discharge process and caregiver satisfaction were collected from 179 caregivers of hospitalized dementia patients. Findings indicate that social workers are important influences in discharge decisions especially when discharge is to a nursing home. Findings from regression analyses indicate that caregiver satisfaction is dependent on the…

Outlines benefits of and skills involved in problem solving. Details how an environment rich in materials that foster cause-and-effect or trial-and-error explorations promote cognitive development among toddlers. Offers examples of problem-solving experiences and lists materials for use in curriculum planning. Describes the teacher' role as one of…

The cognitive demand in questions directed to Mexican-descent children by their mothers and fathers were analyzed for videotaped play situations involving gender-neutral, masculine-, or feminine-stereotyped toys. Mothers asked proportionately more conceptual questions than did fathers. Mothers' question asking was influenced by child gender,…

Explores interrelationships among physical punishment, perceived caretaker acceptance-rejection, and youths' psychological adjustment. Administered self-report questionnaires to 281 school children in grades 3 through 12. Results suggest that physical punishment is associated with children's psychological maladjustment only if youths perceive…