Because in the normal course of events most children become briefly ill, families are forced to deal with problems of arranging alternative child care. This article develops a model of the factors influencing family day care workers' acceptance of acutely ill children into care. The article begins with a summary of the research on which the model…

Examines role of Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships in England, consisting of providers and local authority representatives, in providing accessible, affordable childcare and in developing appropriate professional skills across a wide range of providers. Considers educational policy behind the partnerships. Notes concern that…

As part of a larger project begun three years after the adoption of the Australian Early Childhood Association (AECA) Code of Ethics, this study sought practitioners' views about formal enforcement of a code of ethics for early childhood personnel. Questionnaires were sent to directors of 200 early childhood services in New South Wales; about 225…

This digest considers quality in early childhood programs from four perspectives. The top-down perspective, or adults' perspective, on program quality takes into account such program characteristics as adult-child ratio, staff qualifications, and health and hygiene procedures. The bottom-up perspective, or the children's perspective, hinges on…

Recent changes such as declining economic status of families and large-scale employment of women have resulted in increased utilization of child care services and the need for qualified child care providers. This study evaluated the Preservice Training for Child Care Workers programs' ability to meet the training needs of rural Texas child care…

This study examined early childhood caregivers' perceptions of the availability and quality of child care and examined the extent to which caregiver knowledge, training, experience, and motivation predicted judgments of quality and availability. Surveys were mailed to 292 licensed and registered family day care providers in Shelby County,…

Discusses the statement "I just love children" and its inappropriateness in the context of working with children in child care settings. Stresses that such statements are sometimes indicators of inappropriate attitudes on the part of caregivers, such as exercising undue power, fostering dependency, patronizing, being amused by children,…

Child care professionals in Hawaii were surveyed to assess health training needs. Respondents reported a high degree of comfort in managing common health conditions. The most commonly requested health services involved speech/language testing and vision/hearing screening. The most requested health/safety workshop topic was behavioral problems. The…

Reviews findings of studies investigating the perceptions of child care coordinators in Victoria (Australia) about leadership attributes and skills related to effective leadership of early childhood centers. Finds a general and common understanding of leadership characteristics, roles, and responsibilities, with few differences in perception…

Presents results of survey that gathered feedback from agency administrators who employ child- and youth-care workers on the development of the child- and youth-care profession. Describes ideas and sources of support of this emerging profession, and outlines several areas where individuals and associations interested in its development might…

Examined the relationships between day-care quality, children's emotional expression, and temperament among 60 3- to 5-year-olds in 26 day-care centers. Found that the appropriateness of the caregiving, but not the appropriateness of activities in the child-care center, significantly predicted the proportion of positive emotional affect in…

Details how an unplanned activity involving spinning wool presented a teachable moment for children in a family child care setting. Notes how activities related to farming, spinning wool, and using wool cloth resulted from following the children's lead. Concludes that everyday activities provide opportunities to listen to children, learn about…

This study sought to identify where family caregivers acquired their knowledge of children and child care and to determine which knowledge sources and influences may contribute most to specialized early childhood knowledge; such information may improve the effectiveness and efficiency of training programs for caregivers. In collaboration with the…

The growth of family day care is assessed from a personal viewpoint. Observations on trends since the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the International Year of the Child are offered. A review of historical, moral, and legal perspectives on children's rights covers views on childhood during the middle ages and into the…

Draws on examples from a study of teachers' co-construction of definitions of curriculum in one New Zealand child care center to examine the influence of teachers' awareness of various early childhood education traditions/models and teachers' ideas about aspects of the center-based experience considered to be part of the curriculum. Concludes with…