Because the development of healthy eating and physical activity habits during early childhood can prevent disease and support a lifetime of good health, nutrition services are a critical component of early childhood programs. This publication provides guidance to preschool programs to help them meet the Connecticut state goal of practicing…

Because children under age 5 are susceptible to food-borne illnesses and children in diapers present special sanitation and health problems, food safety and sanitation are emerging as important issues for child care providers. This booklet is designed to give providers and parents a quick and easy reference for food safety and sanitation. The…

Discusses the importance of block play--including its contributions to perceptual, fine motor, and cognitive development--and components of a good preschool block play area. Recommends unit blocks complemented by stacking blocks, toys, beads, cubes, and Brio wooden toys. Makes recommendations for space, size, locations and connections to other…

It is the responsibility of the early childhood educator to ensure that creative thinking is part of the preschool curriculum because of its beneficial effects on academic and social learning in the young child. There are basically seven strategies that can be used to facilitate creative thinking in young children. These strategies are: (1)…

Designed to accompany "The Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers," this journal provides guidelines for practitioners using the curriculum. Information recorded for journal completion may be used as the basis for discussion at staff meetings or family child care association meetings, as well as in parent conferences. The journal…

Guidelines are offered to administrators beginning new preschool programs that concern curriculum, facilities, staff, and parent involvement. (MLF)

Contains four workshop presentations on meals in child care: (1) "Enjoying Family-Style Meals in Child Care" (Sarah A. Mulligan Gordon); (2) "The Making of a Healthy Eater: Winning the Finicky Eater Battle" (James M. Thomas and others); (3) "Food for Thought: Mealtimes can be Educational and Enjoyable, Too" (Karen…

Presents strategies for child care directors' professional development: (1) experience the concept of balance physically through yoga or another activity; (2) think of roles as a triangle comprised of managing and overseeing tasks, teaching and coaching, and building and supporting community; (3) get out of isolation through networking; and (4)…

This manual provides information on creditable and noncreditable foods in child care centers, before-and-after-school centers, family day care homes, and adult day care centers. Creditable foods are foods that may be counted toward meeting the requirements for a reimbursable meal. Foods are determined to be creditable according to guidelines…

Outlines the process of evaluation of early childhood programs by administrators and teachers. Offers guidelines for formulating questions to be used in evaluation of these program dimensions: effort, process, adequacy of performance, and efficiency. (NH)

Outlines guidelines for the sale of a child care center/business, and details the selling of the Palo Alto Preschools, a privately owned child care chain. (HOD)

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…

The article offers 10 questions to aid in integrating hearing-impaired preschoolers into a child care program. Questions address such concerns as staff and children learning to communicate with the deaf child, interpreting, social integration, group size, and helping the deaf child achieve status. (DB)

Notes that the focus in early-childhood care has shifted to nurturing neurons, in keeping with research indicating that early social and emotional experiences are the seeds of human intelligence. Explores the elements of quality early care in preschool settings, highlighting sites across the country. (HTH)