Assessment of the expectations of families with handicapped (N=9) and nonhandicapped (N=50) young children before and after the introduction of handicapped children into a day care center revealed both groups felt that greatest benefits were derived from exposing children to the "real" world and promoting acceptance of handicapped children.…

Used data from a family child care study and a licensing study to identify dimensions best predicting global day care quality in over 300 child care homes. Found that caregiver training most consistently predicted global quality. Found no reliable association between care quality and child-caregiver ratio or age-weighted group size recommendations…

Used ethnographic methodologies in day care setting to explore potential impacts of changing roles and changing dependencies on women, children, and families. Findings suggest various supports for women and families that will enhance the environment of child care and facilitate interactive child development. (Author/NB)

Surveyed administrators of adult day-care centers (n=36) and child day-care centers (n=300) to gather information about professionals' perceptions of benefits and problems associated with providing regular intergenerational exchanges in day-care settings. Found that problems attributed to generational differences and organizational/service…

Investigated the effect of setting on the social referencing of 48 children of 6-40 months. Behavioral regulation was observed in familiar child care centers and an unfamiliar university laboratory. Affect was not influenced by setting and showed regulation only for the oldest children. (RJC)

Responses of day care and home care children to an adult dropping items, banging her knee, giving the children opportunity to leave the larger of two prizes for a peer, and asking for donation to sick children were compared. Prosocial reasoning in these 47- to 75-month-old children was assessed via their responses to stories in which help was…

Examines state financial commitment to child care and early education. Indicates that levels of commitment vary widely, are inadequate to serve many children and families in need, and depend more on state "will" than on state resources. Points out that states give child care and early education a low priority. Suggests that increased…

Examined married dual-earner parents of children under five years old who participated in 1984 wave of National Longitudinal Survey of Labor Market Experience, Youth Cohort. Found that reliance on spouses for child care when dual-earner couples were employed was much higher when respondents worked non-days rather than days. Found high rate of…

This study involved observation of 4- and 5-year-olds in a day care setting, focusing on how they developed and maintained friendships with other children in day care. Children were observed twice a day for 3 weeks as they engaged in outdoor play, dramatic play, and manipulative play. Observations included which children played with each other and…

Achievement tests and the parents of the students involved both indicate that the Phillips Extended Day Magnet School in Raleigh, North Carolina, provides an effective program for the students enrolled. The school offers programs from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. (IRT)

Interviewed mothers (n=982) of young children to assess factors related to children's risk of abuse and neglect by child caregivers. Results indicated children were significantly less likely to be abused in day care center or preschool than in home-based child care. Strongest correlates of neglect were child's age, caregiver's age, and child care…

This study applied criteria from Statement Validity Analysis (SVA) protocols to aggregate record review data of alleged sexual abuse of over 100 children in a day-care center. The use of SVA criteria supported the veritability of allegations in this case, with the data analysis reflecting consistency, logical structure, and spontaneity of…

A southern California telephone survey of 396 European American, native-born Latina, and foreign-born Latina mothers with a child aged 5 or younger examined differences in child care practices and preferences, availability of extended family to provide child care, availability of affordable day care centers, and satisfaction with their current…

Key staff from over 500 child care centers were interviewed regarding risk assessment and reduction. Responses revealed three risk categories: (1) high frequency, low impact (playground injuries); (2) low frequency, low impact (burglary, vandalism, staff theft); and (3) low frequency, high impact (child abuse by staff, intruder crimes,…

Discusses young children's adaptation to out-of-home care with regard to both immediate and long-term effects. Presents results of two studies that illustrate alternative research strategies and address substantive issues concerning the effects of out-of-home care on the behavior and quality of adaptation of young children. (Author/NH)