2. Types of Early Childhood Programs2
Types of Early Childhood Programs

3. Key Concepts
All the many types of child care programs 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.

4. 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.
Differentiate between the types of center sponsorship.
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5. 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.
Discuss instruments used to measure the quality of child care.

6. Family Child Care
Family child care provides 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

7. Child Care Centers
Child care centers are the most popular type of service
Programs based on provider skills and state licensing requirements

8. 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

9. 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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10. 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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11. Head Start Nutrition Health services provided
One snack and one hot meal every day
Health services provided
Dental
Medical including immunizations
Mental health
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12. Head Start Parental involvement Recruiting new children
Assisting in the center
Taking part in policy meetings

13. 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.

14. 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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15. Kindergarten Program goals and objectives include
literacy skills that include oral language, phonological awareness, letter knowledge, and print knowledge
math skills that include number sense, measurement, geometry, and calculating
life science that focuses on animals, the human body, and plants
earth science that focuses on weather and recycling
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16. Kindergarten Program goals and objectives include
social studies skills that focus on family life, lifestyles, and responsibilities to peers and society
social learning skills that foster the development of self-esteem and self-worth; following directions, using time wisely, positive peer interactions, and developing independence
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17. Kindergarten Curriculum may vary from school to school It can include
preacademic skills
social development
creative activities

18. School-Age Child 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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19. School-Age Child Care
Check-in services are provided for parents of older children
Call the home and check whether the child has arrived safely

20. 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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21. Parent Cooperatives Advantages Disadvantages
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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22. Parent Cooperatives Sessions Fees 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. Sponsorship of Early Childhood Centers
Public, private, or employer-sponsored child care centers
Public sponsorships include
Head Start
public university child care centers
publicly funded preschools, laboratory schools, and high school child care programs
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26. 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

27. Universal Prekindergarten
Universal prekindergarten (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

28. 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

29. child care referral agency
The Selection Process
Search
child care referral agency
online/phone book
friends and relatives
Investigate
calling
visiting
Choose

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

31. 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

32. 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

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

34. Brainstorm
What are some advantages and disadvantages of these child care programs?
Curriculum
Fees
Schedule A D
Family child
care
Child care centers
Head Start
Montessori schools

35. Quality Rating Systems
Help parents judge quality
Infant/Toddler Environmental Rating Scale (ITERS-R)
Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale
Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scale
School-Age Care Early Rating Scale

36. 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.