Child welfare personnel repeatedly move a lesbian youth from one inappropriate placement to another, subjecting her to constant rejection and discrimination and depriving her of a permanent home or family; Detention facility staff place a gay youth in isolation "for his own protection," depriving him of education, recreation, companionship, or…

This report details a qualitative study undertaken to add to the knowledge base about care provided by relatives, friends, and neighbors. Focus group discussions were organized with African American, Puerto Rican, and Dominican women who care for other people's children in three low-income communities in New York City. There were a total of 45…

Although developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) has gained widespread acceptance within early childhood education, it is not accepted by all. This study examined resistance to the DAP concept among: (1) Head Start and other early childhood teachers; (2) child caregivers; (3) African-American mothers; and (4) masters students in early childhood…

Assessed settings and caregiver-infant interaction in five types of nonmaternal child care: day care centers; child care homes; in-home sitters; grandparents; and fathers. Found that small group sizes, low child-adult ratios, caregivers' nonauthoritarian child-rearing beliefs, and safe, clean, and stimulating physical environments were associated…

Reports findings of an unscientific survey of early childhood professionals asked to reflect upon the history, landmark events, and significant trends in the child care delivery system. Three events viewed as most influential are highlighted: (1) World War II; (2) women's movement; and (3) Head Start. Eleven other events also cited are discussed.…

This case study illustrates how a highly trained and experienced early childhood educator thinks about her interactions with preschoolers. Verbal and nonverbal patterns emerging from videotaped observations demonstrated how the teacher integrated information about specific children into these interactions. Although children's conceptions of time…

Objective: To identify individual, family, and caseworker characteristics associated with problem recognition (PR) and intentions to change (ITC) in a sample of caregivers who received in-home child welfare services following substantiated reports of child abuse or neglect. Methods: Caregivers were interviewed at 4 weeks, 16 weeks, and 1 year…

This paper discusses the issues surrounding the establishment of a system of professional development and training for early childhood workers and practitioners in the United Kingdom. The paper focuses on what needs to be done to accomplish an effective and efficient program of continuing professional development of practitioners. The paper first…

Discusses the impact of care to the frail elderly on individual caregivers and their families in the context of events preceding caregiving. Investigates the extent to which family members anticipate and plan for future caregiving. Although several family members are usually involved in planning caregiving, most studies in this area include only…

Background: Older people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are a growing population but their age-related needs are rarely considered and community services are still geared towards the younger age group. We aimed to examine the mental health and social care needs of this new service user group. Methods: We identified all adults with ID without…

This paper describes the experiences of three toddlers with developmental delays and their caregivers in an inclusive child care center. Case study methodology was used to synthesize data representing initial issues presented by parents, caregivers' reflections on their relationships with the toddlers, and interactions between toddlers with…

This study examined the experiences of students in the six New Zealand colleges of education who undertook a 3-year course of training to work in early childhood centers. The study aimed to find out students' expected employment following their training among child care, kindergarten, or other early childhood services, monitor any changes in the…

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of adding school-age children to family child care programs, based on personal experience as a family day care provider. Notes that a safe, nurturing environment is as important for school-age children as preschoolers. Suggests that every family child care provider's capacity and program needs are…

Background: The aim of the present study was to identify factors associated with the level of psychological distress reported by family carers of children with intellectual disability living in a large urban conurbation. Method: Information was collected by postal questionnaire (or interview for family carers who did not have English as their…

This guide for trainers offers a comprehensive child-centered perspective on training field workers in early childhood education. The theme of the role of play in child growth, development, and learning runs throughout the guide while its form, a series of structured exercises to help trainers handle all aspects of the subject, emphasizes the…