Current social policy supports neither high quality infant day care nor alternatives to day care. Psychologists should take action on research evidence showing the importance of quality infant care, by proposing and supporting policies that would grant voluntary, partially paid, six-month leaves to working parents for infant care. (Author/MJL)

Study measured teachers' and children's facial, verbal and physical affectionate behaviors in seven day care centers during a variety of daily routines. Affectionate behavior occurred much less frequently than other social interaction. Implications for day care programming and research are discussed. (Author/RWB)

First listing and discussing optimal features of playthings for early childhood education, this reference book subsequently describes play activities and equipment appropriate for infant and toddler day care programs as well as specially designed equipment for exceptional children. A chart indicating age-appropriate play and classroom equipment…

Argues that research does not warrant Belsky's position that infant child care for more than 20 hours per week is a risk factor for infants' insecure-avoidant attachment and children's maladaptive social behavior. Suggests that quality of care and family characteristics are major influences. (NH)

Noting a Carnegie report pointing out changes in children's lives, including working mothers and poor quality care, this videotape provides educators, librarians, and parents information to help children grow to their fullest potential. The 45-minute video highlights a collaborative early childhood care model in place in Stamford, Connecticut to…

The infant-and-toddler child-care program at the Child and Family Research Center at University of Nevada, Reno, is based on children's need for consistent, stable, and reliable adult care. Children stay with the same primary caregiver for the first three years. Four broad themes of the program are: attachment and trust, teacher-parent relations,…

These two fact sheets, written for crisis nurseries and respite care programs serving children with disabilities, provide information on the value of volunteers and the importance of insurance coverage for program volunteers. "Volunteers: A Valuable Resource" (Becky Montgomery, Nancy Smith) gives guidelines on screening, selecting,…

Rating scales, developed by the Southeastern Day Care Project, for evaluating the progress of children in day care centers and family day care homes are provided, together with interpretations and examples. The forms are for rating infants, two-year-olds, three-year-olds, and four- and five-year-olds. The Infant Rating Form is broken into segments…

Produced as a touchstone for the White House Conference on Child Care, this brief video (5 minutes) presents a collage of voices speaking on the need for quality child care. The voices include those of parents, physicians and child development experts, and child care workers. Among the threads touched upon by these voices are working mothers, the…

The article reviews state child care licensing legislation in light of reported child abuse and neglect in some such facilities. Recommended are licensing of all facilities of any size or religious affiliation, criminal record screening, at least annual inspections, unannounced inspections, and required notice to parents when abuse has been…

Presents guidelines for buying classroom toys/equipment for child care settings. Lists examples of appropriate toys and equipment for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children in the following areas: action toys, art materials, audiovisual materials, balls, blocks and construction materials, books, discovery materials, dolls and…

The dyadic controls of the social interchange patterns of 12- to 42-month-olds (N=27) with their different social partners is the focus of this study. (Author/MP)

Reviews studies comparing short- and long-term effects of language-based socially and cognitively interactive play enrichment in day care and the home during infancy. Found that both day care and home children experiencing intervention advanced to high levels of language and cognitive functioning compared to control children. Advantages of home…

Author of the landmark work "Baby and Child Care," Benjamin Spock changed how parents and indirectly professional caregivers raise children. Spock believed all infants are inherently good and discipline is mistakenly identified with punishment. He felt quality child care was essential to successful development and play for infants and…

Readiness to learn is a constant state. Two critical aspects of early childhood provide parents sufficient understanding of their child's development: attachment and brain development. Children develop attachments to caregivers but need consistent parental care and love. Human brains continue to quickly grow during the first two years of life.…