Discusses the importance of communication between preschool providers and parents of children with disabilities who are transitioning from early intervention programs to preschool programs. Communication needs before, during, and after the transition are addressed. A sample questionnaire for families of new students and a communication schedule…

Provides information to prekindergarten educators to enable them to better meet the needs of parents whose children are making a transition to kindergarten. Emphasizes the need to understand assessment and screening procedures and to share that information with parents. Suggests how caregivers can provide emotional support to parents with children…

Discusses how working with parents in cooperative nursery schools can be challenging as teacher and parents work out their roles in implementing an appropriate curriculum. Suggests that by mutually sharing educational theories and how they promote young children's learning, disagreements between teachers and parents about appropriate curriculum…

Presents a checklist that early childhood program directors can use to evaluate staff performance. The checklist enumerates positive behaviors in the areas of general work habits; attitudes and skills with children, parents, classes, and co-workers; and professional development. (AC)

Offers advice to Head Start teachers on making parents feel comfortable as observers or volunteers in the classroom. Suggests that home visits are a way to become better acquainted with families and offers several ideas for keeping in touch with parents. Provides suggestions on encouraging parent participation and making parents feel welcome in…

Notes that the majority of brain development occurs in the first three years of life. States that infant and toddler interactions are beneficial to both ages, provided contact occurs in a safe environment. Discusses how infants and toddlers learn from each other through play, even if they are nonverbal, and further benefit from insights and…

Explains how day-care centers weigh the factors of responsibility, training, experience and performance in developing salary schedules. Discusses simplicity, security, clarity, flexibility, liability, and relevance as factors in refining salary schedules. Provides two models of salary schedules, the traditional approach and the performance-based…

Service-learning is a pedagogy that promotes an action research philosophy in early childhood teacher education. Components of meaningful service-learning programs include: (1) clear interrelation with academic goals of the course; (2) student participation in the assessment process; (3) students and faculty becoming part of the community to be…

Discusses gossip in early childhood settings as a threat to professionalism. Identifies reasons for staff gossip, provides guidance for developing an anti-gossip program policy, and presents an activity to distinguish gossip and shared information. Discusses how directors can influence parents' discussions with staff and get staff to confront each…

This booklet explains why and how child care workers should unionize. Chapter 1 outlines the individual and professional advantages of unionization and traces the history of unions and the American labor movement. Chapter 2 presents 12 steps in organizing a work site. It is proposed that child care workers: (1) explore and promote interest in…

This paper describes the state of training, licensing, and certification of early childhood personnel in the state of Washington. Arguing that presently in the state there is no set of regulations dealing with both certification and/or licensing of personnel working in early childhood programs, the author recommends a coordinated effort in…

Written in Spanish and focusing on block play activities in the context of early childhood education this manual provides guidelines on expanding such activities for Spanish-speaking teachers of preschool and primary school children. The content of the manual is oriented to the learning styles and special interests of Spanish-speaking children.…

Designed for teachers and other adults who work with young children, this manual provides guidelines for designing creative house corner activities. The first chapter examines outcomes inherent in dramatic play. Chapter Two presents practical suggestions for arranging the area and selecting and displaying materials which will inspire dramatic…

Since 1975, the Head Start Program Performance Standards have defined the services that local programs are required to provide to enrolled children and families. With revisions effective in 1998, the Program Performance Standards translate the Head Start vision into quality practices implemented at the local level. This document is comprised of a…

A commitment to enhancing and developing leadership skills contributes to positioning Head Start as a central community institution for low-income children and their families. This guide, comprised of three training modules, is intended to help Head Start leaders refine and expand their skills and knowledge through a variety of training…