types of early childhood programs

Types of Early Childhood Programs

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© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Key Concepts

There are many types of child care programs, all of which have advantages and disadvantages.

Child care programs can have public, private, or employer sponsorship.

Licensing and accreditation are important in the selection of child care programs.


Objectives

List and describe the various types of early childhood programs available to parents and their children.

Assess the advantages and disadvantages of each type of program.

Name the three types of center sponsorship.

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Objectives

Explain steps families may take in choosing quality child care.

List indications of quality in early childhood programs.

Recognize licensing rules and regulations that help keep centers safe.

List the components of center accreditation.


Family Child Care Homes

Family child care homes provide child care by people other than a relative or parent Often in private neighborhood homes Some states require licensing May attend up to 12 hours a day


Child Care Centers

Child care centers are the most popular type of service

Programs based on provider skills and state licensing requirements Some offer whole child curriculum Some offer custodial care


Montessori Schools

Montessori schools focus on self-education in a prescribed sequence

The Montessori approach stresses independence with little help from teachers practical life experiences sensory training mastered before academics are

introduced


Head Start

The Head Start program was designed by the federal government in the 1960s to overcome the negative effects of poverty on young children Provides child care for infants, toddlers, and

four- to five-year-olds from low-income families May be full- or part-time; in a center or home Provides medical and social services

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Head Start

Education Curriculum is designed to build self-esteem that

will lead to future success Family involvement is key Curiosity Self-confidence Self-discipline

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Head Start

Nutrition One snack and one hot meal every day

Health services provided Dental Medical including immunizations Mental health

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Head Start

Parental involvement Recruiting new children Assisting in the center Taking part in policy meetings


Did You Know?

Head Start is administered under the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Two-thirds of the nearly 1,335,600 individuals who volunteer are parents.


Kindergarten

Kindergarten is part of most private and public school systems

Schedules include half-day full-day full-day/alternating day

sessions

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Kindergarten

Program goals and objectives include respect for the contributions, property, and

rights of other children development of positive feelings about school development of positive self-concept growth in language, social, physical, and

creative skills

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Kindergarten

Program goals and objectives include achievement of problem-solving and

cognitive skills development of independence, shown by

working alone on a task or developing self-help skills

development of interpersonal skills appreciation of objects of beauty

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Kindergarten

Curriculum may vary from school to school It can include

preacademic skills social development creative activities


School-Age Care

Children from ages 5 to 10 most often attend school-age child care programs Before- and after-school care Sponsored by schools, religious organizations,

or child care centers Programs supplement regular classes

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School-Age Care

Checking-in-services are provided for parents of older children Call the home and check whether the child has

arrived safely


Parent Cooperatives

Parent cooperatives allow parents to prepare budgets hire teachers set program policies and goals assist in the classroom utilize full- or half-days

Developmental experiences for adults as well as children

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Parent Cooperatives

Advantages Teachers can devote more time to curriculum,

while parents take care of the administrative activities

Special relationship between parents and teachers

Disadvantages Teachers have less control; rules set by parents

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Parent Cooperatives

Sessions Two to three hours per day Two to five days a week

Fees Less than other programs Paid head teacher, with parents performing all

additional duties


Laboratory Schools

Laboratory schools are university- and college-affiliated programs Train future teachers Serve as a study group for research Have highly qualified staff Have well-planned curriculum Use excellent equipment


High School Child Care Programs

High school child care programs train future child care professionals

Laboratory facilities for students to work with preschoolers while supervised by a teacher Operate two or three days a week Curriculum is planned by high school students Students observe and work directly with children


Sponsorship of Early Childhood Centers

Public, private, or employer-sponsored child care centers

Public sponsorships include Head Start public university child care centers publically funded preschools, laboratory

schools, and high school child care programs

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Sponsorship of Early Childhood Centers

Private sponsorships may be operated by houses of worship hospitals charitable organizations child care corporations (national chains)

Employer sponsorships offer child care sponsored on-site or nearby for

employees’ children


Universal Pre-Kindergarten

Universal pre-kindergarten (UPK) is a state-sponsored program for three- and four-year-olds High-quality, literary-rich environment Eagerness to learn in kindergarten Early learning experiences for

disadvantaged children


Selecting a Child Care Program

Factors to consider Promotes children’s safety and comfort Quality of program, cost, and location Promotes all areas of child development NAEYC recommended Staff training, experience, and turnover ratio Adult-child ratio and group size Condition of facilities


The Selection Process

Searchchild care referral agency

online/phonebookfriends and relatives

Investigatecallingvisiting

Choose


Discuss

If you were selecting a child care program for your child, what are some other factors that you would consider?


Licensing Rules and Regulations

Licensing rules and regulations affect the safety and health of the children protect parents, employers, and employees

A child care license is a state-provided certificate granting permission to operate a child care center family child care home


Center Accreditation

The best indicator of high-quality early care and education is being accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs Improves the quality of programs Helps parents find high-quality child care Assures parents their children are receiving

quality care


Discuss

What are the requirements to receive accreditation for a child care program in your state?


Brainstorm

What are some advantages and disadvantages of these child care programs?

Curriculum Fees Schedule

A D A D A D

Family child care homes

Child care centers

Head Start

Montessori schools


Review

List five types of child care programs. What are the three types of sponsorships for

child care programs? True or false. Licensing and accreditation

are not important in the selection of child care programs.


Glossary

accredited. Having a certification that states a set of standards has been met.

checking-in services. Program assigning workers to call children in self-care to make sure there are no problems.


Glossary

child care centers. Full-day child care facilities that focus on basic nutritional, social, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs.

child care license. A state-provided certificate granting permission to open and operate a child care center or family child care home.


Glossary

custodial care. Type of child care that focuses primarily on meeting the child’s physical needs.

family child care home. Child care that is provided in a private home.


Glossary

Head Start. A program developed by the federal government to strengthen the academic skills of children from low-income homes, and designed mainly for four- and five-year-olds.


Glossary

laboratory schools. Schools located on a postsecondary or college campus with a primary purpose of training future teachers and serving as a study group for research.

licensing rules and regulations. Standards set to ensure that uniform and safe practices are followed.


Glossary

Montessori approach. Schools provide children freedom within limits by a rather structured approach, and a fixed method in which materials are presented.

parent cooperatives. Child care programs that are formed and run by parents who wish to take part in their children’s preschool experience.


Glossary

school-age child care programs. Programs often sponsored by schools, houses of worship, or child care centers that provide care for children before and/or after school.


Glossary

universal pre-kindergarten (UPK). A state-sponsored program designed to introduce three- and four-year-old children to a literary-rich environment. The goal is to enable every child with skills needed to succeed in school.

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