Chapter 4

1. Early Learning and
Child Care: Infancy
Through School Age
CHAPTER 4

2. Why This Topic Matters?
• Child care is increasingly needed in the U.S.
• 68% of mothers with children under 6 years of age are in the
workforce.
• The issues that contribute to the availability and quality of child
care is a topic of increasing importance.

3. Objectives
• Connect how events of the last century have resulted in a greater need for child
care in the United States.
• Define the following child-care arrangements: in-home care, family child care,
center based care, and before- and after- school care.
• Describe the features and effects of quality child care.
• Contrast licensing regulations and minimum standards with voluntary
accreditation systems.
• Explain why collaboration among parents, schools, communities, and caregivers
is needed to develop social policies to enhance the accessibility, affordability, and
quality of child care.

4. History of Child Care
• Extended family
• Industrialization
• World War II
• Economic boom (1950)
• Workforce demand (1970, 1980)
• After-school care (1980)

5. Issues and Arrangements
Research suggests that high-quality childhood development
programs have the potential to counteract the negative effects of
poverty.
• Availability of Child Care – resource and referral programs
• Financing Child Care (slots vs. demand)
• Concerns About Quality – (one-third rated inadequate)
• In-Home Child Care
• Family Child Care
• Child-Care Centers

6. Arrangements
• Infant-Toddler Programs – requirements, materials, equipment,
curriculum
• Preschool Programs – high-quality programs should enrich
children emotionally, socially, and intellectually
• School-age Child Care – before and after school, weather
emergencies, school holidays, and summer vacations
• Child Care for Children w/ Disabilities – inclusion, adaptations
and modifications may be needed to allow students full
participation (physical, emotional, and academic)

7. Features of Quality Child Care
• Structural Elements
• Process Elements
- Teacher Qualities – teacher –student relationship,
professional education, compensation, workforce development
- Curriculum – indoor and outdoor play, materials, skills
development
- Family Involvement

8. Quality Child Care
STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
•Facility
• Materials
• Ratios
• Staff Training
PROCESS ELEMENTS
• Teacher Quality
• Curriculum
• Family Involvement

9. Licensing vs. Accreditation
LICENSING
• Source: State
• Purpose: Regulate
minimum standards
ACCREDITATION
•Source: State or organization
•Purpose: To recognize
programs with high standards

10. Challenges
Collaboration
• Accreditation
• Shortage of Early Childhood Teachers
• Quality Child-care Services (wages, benefits, training
opportunities, and working conditions)
• Societal Expectations – Art Rolnick’s Talk – Economic Case for
Early Childhood Development

11. Parents - Communities - Educators
• Accessibility
• Affordability
• Quality
• Management