Proposing quality standards for Nigerian pre-primary centers, this paper argues that the first concern must be the provision of adequate care in the form of high quality health, safety, and nutritional conditions. Care is discussed in terms of illness policy, routines for good health, physical characteristics of centers, personal hygiene,…

Despite rising demand for high-quality child care, the norm for early childhood staff is low salaries, few benefits, and difficult working conditions. This article provides an overview of compensation of early childhood professionals, and describes some state and local initiatives that address the need for funding and policies that support a…

Compared self-evaluation of quality of preschool teachers in Sweden to the evaluation by an external evaluator using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale. Found moderately high percent agreement between teachers and evaluator and among teachers at the same unit. Found highest agreement among teachers on socialization and communication.…

Synthesizes research findings on how general education, specialized education, and experiences relate to early childhood professionals' teaching practices. Finds that teachers' formal education relates to classroom quality and effective teacher behavior. Specialized education may be causally related to classroom quality and is correlated with…

Three blocks of factors were considered as predictors of four year old children's (N = 286) personality, non-verbal intelligence and social behaviour in preschool: (a) personality characteristics at time 1 (T1) when the participants were three years old; (b) parental education and parenting practices measured at T1; and (c) age of child's entry to…

This study examined the views of parents and educators from kindergarten programs in Canada on ideal kindergarten practice. Data sources included focus groups of parents and educators, surveys of educators in three Canadian provinces, surveys of teachers nominated as having exemplary programs, surveys of parents from these programs, and in-depth…

In 1990-91 three public forums were held on problems related to child care in the Delaware Valley, Pennsylvania. Over 100 people, including parents, employers, child care professionals, government representatives, and community and labor leaders, gave testimony on the public sector's responsibility for day care and the monies being spent on child…

This document is comprised of the one issue in volume 6 of "Bridges," a publication produced by the California Head Start-State Collaboration Office to detail the activities of the educational partnership and to provide relevant information to programs participating in the partnership. The Summer 2001 issue focuses on providing…

This position paper addresses three related issues that concern the right of children and their families to (1) receive quality care, education, and special intervention services; (2) have these services delivered through systems designed to promote their well-being; and (3) have these services delivered by adequately trained and compensated…

This article emphasises the importance of research that helps us to understand how things are in early childhood education and care, why they are the way they are, what are the alternative decisions or actions we might take in order to change things and what are the implications of choosing among those alternatives. As an illustration of this, it…

Noting that there is a lack of consistent and accurate information about the teachers, administrators, and support staff who work in early childhood settings in Illinois, this study documented the early childhood workforce serving in infant/toddler, preschool, and school-age programs in the state. The study also determined the impact of the…

Examines the effects of scarcity and abundance as they might apply to quality in early childhood programs. Maintains that scarcity limits good teaching and suggests that well-stocked supply areas will reduce hoarding. Argues that having adequate supplies on hand reduces wasted time and stress, and enhances workplace quality of life. (KB)

Professional development is a topic that is near and dear to the author's heart. The author has spent more hours than she can count trying to get her colleagues in the U.S. Department of Education to understand that early childhood professional development has to be part of the education continuum. She would argue that even if they had the luxury…

This study investigated the characteristics and beliefs of Head Start teachers and teacher aides and the classroom structural dimensions that are associated with Head Start classroom quality. The quality of classroom teaching practices was assessed using the Assessment Profile for Early Childhood Programs: Research Version. Teachers completed the…

Noting that research demonstrates that high quality early childhood education (ECE) has long-term benefits for children, this review outlines definitions of quality early childhood education within the context of New Zealand. The focus is mainly on two specific aspects of quality: staff qualifications and indicators of quality. The review notes…