Happiness is a critical indicator of quality of life in humans. A few studies have measured levels of happiness displayed under different conditions by individuals with profound multiple disabilities. We were interested in determining whether increasing the mindfulness of caregivers would result in increased levels of happiness in adults with…

This report describes a study of the training of early childhood educators in the state of New Mexico, undertaken during the summer of 1991. The study sought to: (1) determine the scope and content of training used by a variety of early childhood educators; (2) develop a profile of both agencies and individuals who provide training; (3) identify…

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the child care system in the metropolitan Detroit area is responsive to the needs of families. The study is introduced by a literature review examining current tends and providing a historical overview of child care in the United States. Questionnaires sent to parents of children at…

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…

This study examined the relationship between child caregiver commitment and the caregiver's personal characteristics and work experience, the characteristics of the job, and the quality of the child care center. Questionnaires that included several measurement instruments were sent to 381 full-time child caregivers in 94 centers. Caregiver…

Drawing on in-depth interviews with 20 family child care providers of diverse race, ethnicity, immigrant status, and social class, this book explores the social, political, and economic forces and processes that draw women into the work of family child care. The articles dispel not only myths about why women choose to be family child care…

This matrix provides information on early childhood training and technical assistance services in Illinois. Parts of the document are presented in grid form so that information can be compared across programs. First, information is provided on the following training and technical assistance providers: Child Care Resource & Referral…

This curriculum module provides information and guidance on controlling communicable and infectious diseases in the childcare setting and is designed to fulfill the learning needs and licensing requirements of childcare providers in California. The curriculum provides 4 to 7 hours of training for childcare providers to be conducted by experienced…

This paper highlights research into the positive possibilities for children in school and life when they have access to high-quality care and education before entering public school. Three key components of early care and education are discussed in the paper. The first, quality in early care and education, addresses: (1) What is high quality and…

Used data from NICHD Study of Early Child Care to assess whether regulable features of child care homes affected children's development. Found caregivers' education and recency of training related to learning environment and caregiving sensitivity. More positive caregiving related to compliance with age-weighted group-size cut-offs. Caregiver…

Survey investigated center- and home-based child caregivers' perceptions of inclusion-related needs and barriers, participation in disability-related training, and current experience working with children with disabilities. Responses indicated that program and provider characteristics are related to participation in disability-related training and…

Discusses the rationale for preservice training for child care workers and outlines elements of an effective preservice training program. Maintains that successful programs teach new caregivers to: identify developmental stages of children; use positive guidance techniques; plan age-appropriate activities; promote health and safety; foster…

Suggests an alternative to typical practices of new staff orientation: one week of paid orientation without direct responsibility for children so they can experience the program vision in action and practice assuming their role within it. Details strategies involved in this approach and encourages directors to calculate the cost of turnover in…

The childhood immunization schedule includes at least 17 scheduled immunizations prior to the age of 24 months. Immunization laws require childcare centers to maintain immunization records and enforce immunization standards for children who attend these centers. Childcare providers generally receive little formal education about infectious…

Reliable child care services are widely viewed as pivotal to the success of welfare reform because most welfare recipients depend on child care in order to seek, gain, and maintain employment. Others of the working poor need it to avoid dependency on public assistance. As a result, current policy decisions and research efforts are largely focused…