This paper discusses some important questions to ask an insurance broker regarding liability insurance. The author based these questions on his interviews with Kathryn Hammerback, Craig Hammer, and Mike North: (1) Are centers covered when...?; (2) How can a center director cut costs on this policy?; (3) Is this an "occurrence" or a "claims-made"…

Moving from a teaching position into an administration is not a smooth transition. The jobs are very different, with different tasks and responsibilities. When the author began directing, she had no idea what she was doing. It was her secretary, Dolores, who taught her how to do her job. In this article, the author reflects on her experiences when…

This article identifies the extent to which fiscal and regulatory action by state governments shapes the formation of sectors--in this case, including the local availability, organizational formalization, and quality of teachers in child care centers nationwide. These state-level effects are compared to the local effects of family demand and…

How do teachers in other countries respond to award-winning American picture books? Do themes and characters, even the purpose of stories for children, differ from culture to culture? What can U.S. educators learn about their own values when working with educators from another country? The author found intriguing answers to these questions during…

This article presents some questions on how to find, convert and keep the best prospects for enrollment in child care and education. First, what do I need to know? There are two types of profiles to look at to target specific audiences: (1) "demographics", indicates of a typical qualified buyer; and (2) "psychographics", addresses lifestyle…

The Sloan Work and Family Research Network has prepared Fact Sheets that provide statistical answers to some important questions about work-family and work-life issues. This Fact Sheet includes statistics about Child Care, and answers the following questions about child care: (1) How many children are in child care?; (2) How many hours per week do…

Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-racial, and multi-religious country with a population of more than 25 million people who live in the Peninsular and the States of Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo Island. It is a harmonious and peaceful nation comprised of Malays, who are the ethnic majority, followed by Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazandusuns, and…

Quality Rating System (QRS) initiatives define levels of quality based on research and then support providers with funding and technical assistance to increase their quality. Each program is assessed and given a number of "stars" to indicate to parents what level of quality the program has reached. In this article, the author describes…

Published annually since 1997, Newark Kids Count tracks key trends in child health and well-being in New Jersey's largest city with the latest statistics available. Newark Kids Count includes the latest statistics, along with five-year trend data, in the following areas: population and demographics, family economic security, affordable housing,…

In 1990, the Settlement Music School Kaleidoscope Preschool Arts Enrichment Program, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, created a preschool program to teach music and other creative arts to three- to five-year-olds. This article describes how the program works: how music teaches language and math, how dance teaches action words and spatial concepts,…

The authors of this article describe two model programs aimed at improving the quality of infant and toddler child care in the state of Delaware. Project CREATE provided college-level coursework to classroom teachers. Project INSITE provided technical assistance to child care centers that was customized to meet the needs of the individual program.…

This article features StarBright Learning Exchange, a program that provides a cross-cultural exchange between Australian and South African early childhood educators. The program was originated when its president, Carol Allen, and her colleague, Karen Williams, decided that they could no longer sit by and watch the unfolding social catastrophe that…

Despite persistent economic recession, a number of for-profit child-care organizations expanded significantly, including organizations operating internationally. Chief executive officers' concerns include the state of the economy, shortages of qualified teachers, and competition from the public schools. (KB)

A growing number of state leaders believe that it is essential to expand high-quality early learning and development opportunities for all young children before they reach kindergarten. A key component of this strategy is providing access to voluntary, high-quality pre-kindergarten programs, especially for low-income children. Over the last few…

This paper proposes that effective leadership is a vital component in providing quality childcare services. It suggests that developing an enhanced understanding of effective leadership frameworks can be a starting point for a quality process and can forge a commitment to working towards excellence in early childhood centres, as well as be a tool…