Considers issues that challenge parents and professionals faced with the need for infant group care: nurturing in the infant caregiver, staff stability, economics of staff/infant ratios, the role of language in caregiving, altruism in babies, group versus individual time, control and power issues, caregiver training, and "people…

Research on parents has shown the critical contribution that linguistic input plays in fostering early literacy, but there have been no systematic studies of the literacy of the early care and education workforce and its role in fostering quality early learning environments. This report examines the literacy levels of early childhood educators in…

The principal aims of the Tipton Childminding Project, begun in 1994, were to increase access to and quality of training and support for childminders and caregivers in England's Tipton Challenge area, to increase the number of childminders and child caregivers from all sections of the community, to promote interagency initiatives to develop links…

Training and education of infant and toddler caregivers is one important factor associated with the quality of child care they provide. In response to research showing that high-quality care supports positive development in young children, policymakers have established training and education requirements for licensed providers and launched…

Highlights the importance of each child-care facility having an explicit hand-washing policy that includes caregivers and teachers as well as children. Outlines a specific hand-washing technique and gives a variety of practical suggestions for promoting good hygiene and good health. (ET)

Used NICHD Study of Early Child Care data to test paths from child care quality through process indicators to child outcomes. Found that maternal caregiving quality was strongest predictor of cognitive and social competence. Nonmaternal caregiving quality related to cognitive and social competence. Nonmaternal caregiving quality mediated…

This guide assists trainers of school age program staff who are using the self-instructional book "Caring for Children in School-Age Programs," during which time trainers must play an active role. Chapter 1 describes the content, format, and training approach of "Caring for Children in School-Age Programs"; discusses how to offer training based on…

This early childhood training workbook and three accompanying video series provide instruction for early childhood caregivers and teachers in the areas of guidance and discipline, math, and diversity. The video series "Guidance and Discipline" demonstrates the ways in which teachers help children become self disciplined. The three videos…

New family child care (FCC) providers often have little understanding of standard business practices, including zoning, contracts and policies, insurance, and record keeping for tax purposes. This lack of knowledge contributes to low income, high turnover, and other problems. A practicum project set out to improve entry-level FCC providers'…

The purpose of this study is to examine the training needs of caregivers of toddlers. Questions addressed include: (1) Is specialized training necessary? (2) Are caregivers receiving adequate training for providing appropriate environments for children of 1 or 2 years of age? (3) What are the obstacles and encouragements for caregivers of toddlers…

Child Care Dallas planned and implemented a project aiming to produce an employer-assisted family day care system which would meet the developmental needs of infants and toddlers, increase the community supply of infant/toddler care, be affordable for parents and employers, and demonstrate effective methods for recruiting and training competent…

Designed as a resource and as a guide for professionals who work with children and their families, this book explores the cathartic effect of humor on children, and looks at humor as an infusion of energy that promotes healthy growth, development, and adjustment in children of all ages. The chapters are as follows: (1) "Introduction: A Global…

This study identified developmental and behavior problems Canadian child care providers find most challenging, strategies used to cope with these behavior problems, and how providers evaluate the effectiveness of their interventions. Interview responses indicated that externalizing problems were the most frequent difficulty, involving more than…

Outlines a theoretical framework for studying turnover among family child care providers. The model proposes four components which interact along the path to turnover: (1) potential sources of stress; (2) moderators of stress; (3) outcomes of a cognitive appraisal process; and (4) actions on those outcomes. (MDM)

Maintains that the real solution to demands for high-quality, affordable, readily available infant/toddler child care is society's recognition of the value of parenting both for the nation as a whole and for individual development, and the movement of child care roles and responsibilities from the exclusive realm of motherhood to include fathers.…