Three major areas of research are reviewed: the effects of maternal employment on preschoolers; the working mother and school-age children; and working mothers, identity development, and life satisfaction. Concludes that very few definitive answers exist regarding the effects of a mother's working on her family, children, and herself. (Author)

In an effort to address issues concerning credentialing early childhood directors, explores career decisions and provides a framework for understanding the growth and development of director competence through the career cycle. The career cycles of beginning, competent, and master directors, and the growth and change which occur, are detailed.…

Describes a personal evolution into early childhood advocacy. The case study reaffirms that becoming an early childhood advocate requires individuals to care and to translate that care into actions which will help others to care. (RJC)

This publication contains a curriculum model developed to train cook managers and nutrition coordinators of the nutrition component of Head Start programs. Designed to be offered in a university setting, the 2-week (60 hour) course consists of: (1) a brief overview of the Head Start program, (2) on-site observations of Head Start programs to…

This Child Development Associate training module explores the multifaceted aspects of family child care, including zoning, certification, insurance, hours of care, fees, advertising, programming, and parent/provider agreements. The module's purpose is to help individuals interested in a career in family child care understand the CDA requirements…

Noting that over 11 million children are involved in early care and education outside their homes, and that the quality of the services these children receive depends on the knowledge and skills of the people who care for and teach them, this report presents the results of the first national study of career development in early care and education.…

As the American population ages, society has grown more concerned about using older adults' skills and experience so they remain active, contributing members. Noting that work in child care for appropriate older adults is both natural and timely, this manual provides practical, concrete steps for implementing the guidelines of the Productive…

This Occupational Competency Analysis Profile (OCAP) contains a competency list verified by expert workers and developed through a modified DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) involving business, industry, labor, and community agency representatives from Ohio. This OCAP identifies the occupational, academic, and employability skills (competencies)…

This publication offers guidelines that policymakers, advocates of children and older adults, and child care practitioners can use to provide older adults with opportunities to work in the child care field. Guidelines that address developmental issues relating to older adults concern employers' sensitivity to older adults and staffing patterns in…

A credential called the Child Development Associate (CDA) was the focus of this study. Based on the competence of child care staff, it offers two benefits: it may be fair and accurate without resorting to impractical requirements of education and experience, and its recognition may benefit workers' careers. Credentialed and noncredentialed groups…

This 1996 national survey tracked state efforts to create comprehensive career development and training systems for practitioners working in early care and education settings. Mail surveys were sent to 250 key informants and leaders nationwide. Part 1, "Introduction," states the goals of the study. Part 2, "Waves of Change,"…

This report describes the New Haven, Connecticut site of the Child and Family Resource Program (CFRP), a Head Start-affiliated program designed to elicit community and family involvement in fostering optimum development of preschool children and their families. The New Haven site is one of 11 demonstration sites of the national CFRP. In planning…

A total of 360 child care workers from licensed facilities were surveyed regarding their perceptions of the occupational worth of various child care jobs. Respondents were family and group day care providers, and day care center, Head Start, and nursery school teachers. Overall, these child care workers differed in the ways they perceived what…

Offers tips and techniques for avoiding job burnout and managing stress in child care centers. (HOD)

Summarizes the findings of "Making a Career of It: The State of the States Report on Career Development in Early Care and Education," which concludes that few states set adequate standards for early childhood practitioner training and that practitioners have few incentives to invest in training. Includes the report's recommendations for improving…