Describes how a group of Extension educators developed, implemented and evaluated a child-care-provider training program that considered provider needs, research-based competencies, and current recommendations for child-care training opportunities. Presents information concerning program focus, program content, program evaluation, and two methods…

The early childhood literature has acknowledged the need for culturally competent child care professionals. Based on Sue's (1981) tri-dimensional model, the Infant and Toddler Caregiver Cultural Rating Scale (ITCCRS) was created to assess 109 child care providers' cultural competence and the demographic correlates of that competence. Scores fell…

This report presents information collected at a pre-conference roundtable on various aspects of mentoring programs which are seen as a potential solution to the staffing crisis in early childhood education. Part 1 defines the terms "mentoring" and "mentoring programs." It describes the nature of the relationship between mentors…

This guide provides states, local agencies, policy makers, and early childhood service providers with an understanding of the provisions of two laws, the reauthorization of Head Start and the reauthorization of the Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA). It presents background information and important issues on early childhood care and…

Recognizing the increasing demand for older adults to work as child care employees, this manual presents the Generations Together model for training older adults at the community college level to work in child care settings. The manual describes the steps necessary to implement a community-college-based, older-adult child care employment training…

This volume looks at three different broad topics that are of continuing interest for early education and care. The first part of the volume furthers the view of children's acquisition of literacy and how that acquisition takes place. The second part addresses preparation of professionals in early childhood education. The third part provides…

The Southern Child Care Support Program was established in 1986 to help children with disabilities gain access to child care services. The program consists of a team of four Integration Support Workers who are able to provide support in 27 child care centers in the region of Adelaide, Australia. The program's model of child care focuses on three…

Caregiver education and support programs help decrease the stress and burden on family caregivers of the elderly. This directory profiles 72 programs for caregivers of elders. Programs are grouped into the categories of education, respite, and support. Education programs address skills and techniques for caregiving and include program…

Reported are findings and recommendations of Delaware's 1986 Governor's Early Childhood Education Study Committee. Most of the committee's work was carried out by five focus groups, each of which investigated one of these topics: (1) the first 60 months of life; (2) child care; (3) 4-year-old pilot programs; (4) a curriculum for 4-year-olds; and…

This final report describes the activities and outcomes of Project TIES (Towards Inclusion in Early Education), a federally funded demonstration model training program designed to enhance the abilities of child care providers and trainers to include young children, birth to five, with disabilities in developmentally appropriate child care…

Recognizing the critical role that quality child care plays in the lives of working families, in children's health and development, and in the state economy, the Alaska Child Care Program promotes quality, affordable, and accessible child care for Alaska's children and families that allows parents to work or train for employment, and that supports…

For child care to become more supportive of families, programs and providers need to learn about the guiding principles of working with families and the concrete steps they can take in that direction. This resource guide offers ideas and resources for implementing family support principles in child care. The guide offers practitioners ideas and…

This paper addresses, in two parts, some issues in the staffing of early childhood services. Taking an international perspective, the first part of the paper discusses: (1) the structure of the early childhood workforce; (2) the social construction of the early childhood worker; (3) gender; (4) staff to child ratios; (5) processes of transition in…

Notes that allegations of sexual abuse against early child care providers are serious, but relatively rare. Presents guidelines for preventing sexual abuse in child care and early childhood programs; guidelines include attention to staff selection, training, and supervision, and good parent-staff relations. Also offers advice for dealing with both…

Used focus group discussions to determine child care providers' opinions about the content of training necessary for providing quality care and providers' beliefs about the level of training and education required for child care workers. Examined findings in terms of providers' perceptions of professional worth and the design of educational and…