Developing Quality Care for Young Children: How to Turn Early Care Settings Into Magical Places

"Ask yourself the questions posed in this book, whether you are searching for child care or wondering why our smallest and most important citizens don't have more quality early education programs available in a more equitable manner. This is a great teacher's guide for those entering the field and a great staff development idea for ECE centers."-Denise Humphries, Preschool Principal John F. Kennedy American School, Queretaro, Mexico "I cannot think of anything pertaining to high-quality child care programs that isn't covered in this book. The organization is clear, consistent, and easy to follow."-Diane Salverson, Inclusion Specialist Early Childhood Direction Center, Buffalo, NY A guide to creating and sustaining a high-quality, successful early child care program! With most families today needing at least two sources of income, there is a critical need for quality, affordable child care throughout our country. This book discusses the qualities of an effective early child care program and the need to provide children with experiences that will prepare them for future emotional, social, and academic success. By examining high-quality early care within a real-life setting, this resource illustrates how to build a successful program, handle the inevitable challenges, and achieve and sustain positive results. Using their experience in child development and child therapy, the authors demonstrate how to: Create environments that foster healthy relationships for children and adults Build on children's sense of wonder and joy for learning in preparation for later academic experiences Use families' ethnic and cultural diversity as a teaching tool Maintain professional standards for administration and staff Developing Quality Care for Young Children is invaluable not only for early childhood educators, administrators, and trainers, but also for anyone striving to make a difference in the lives of our youngest learners.