Child and Adult Care Resources for Families 13 Child and Adult Care Resources for Families

Objectives Analyze four main types of child care programs families often use. Compare and contrast family child care and center-based child care. Analyze various methods parents and caregivers use for selecting quality child care. continued

Objectives Differentiate between developmentally appropriate practices and developmentally inappropriate practices. Compare and contrast different types of older adult care available to families.

Types of Child Care Programs There are four main types of child care programs from which families may choose In-home child care Family child care Center-based child care School-age child care The best choice depends on the child’s temperament, needs, and age continued

Types of Child Care Programs Some parents prefer in-home child care in which one parent may choose to stay home Nannies and au pairs may also provide in-home child care For parents who travel for work and need flexibility in their child care, a nanny may be a good choice continued

Types of Child Care Programs Part of the draw of using an au pair is for children to gain a cross-cultural experience while receiving care Playgroups are a good way for in-home care providers to give their children opportunities to play with other children as they socialize with other parents continued

Types of Child Care Programs Family child care centers are operated in the caregiver’s private home for a small number of children Licensed family child care centers operate with written expectations and policies Unlicensed centers are unsupervised by outside agencies and may not meet safety and other child care standards continued

Types of Child Care Programs Center-based child care programs are provided in a center and not in a home Center-based child care programs may be for-profit (established to generate profit or money) nonprofit (not established for the purpose of making money) Nonprofit centers are usually less costly than for-profit programs continued

Types of Child Care Programs Two options for center-based child care are day care centers preschool programs ©rdotshock/Shutterstock.com continued

Types of Child Care Programs Day care centers offer care to large groups of infants, toddlers, and children with many caregivers Many are licensed and have clearly written policies for hours of operation May offer part- or full-time programs continued

Types of Child Care Programs Preschool programs focus on preparing 3- to 5-year-olds for the next level of schooling Preschools focus on play and academics Some preschool programs also provide meals and other services Head Start helps prepare low-income preschoolers for school continued

Types of Child Care Programs Children in self-care are unsupervised children who provide care for themselves for the few hours when a parent is away from the home before or after school Also known as latchkey children State laws vary regarding the age children can begin to stay home alone continued

Types of Child Care Programs For children who are not ready for self-care, school-age child care programs provide care for them in safe, healthy, and stimulating environments Before- and after-school care programs provide further care for children and adolescents before or after school continued

Types of Child Care Programs In addition to school-based care programs, other programs or clubs also provide care, mentoring, homework help, and appropriate activities The purpose of these clubs is to help students meet educational needs develop interests spend time with mentors

Selecting Quality Child Care When comparing in-home caregivers and child care centers, consider hours of operation or employment flexibility and cost methods of instruction and activities types of discipline amount of staffing available regulations continued

Selecting Quality Child Care When evaluating child care centers, one of the first factors to consider is the center’s licensing and accreditation Accredited child care centers are licensed and meet additional standards set forth by a professional child care organization continued

Selecting Quality Child Care Ages of children at the center determine the minimum number of caregivers needed The child–caregiver ratio is the appropriate number of caregivers available for each child Group size refers to the maximum number of children that can receive care in one place continued

Selecting Quality Child Care The qualities of the caregivers and their interactions with children are important Characteristics of Quality Caregivers adaptable fond of children loving committed to ongoing education interested in child development nondiscriminatory compassionate honest patient empathetic kind and caring reliable encouraging knowledgeable responsible continued

Selecting Quality Child Care Quality caregivers demonstrate positive, appropriate interactions with children Appropriate interaction is indicated by positive physical contact Patting the child on the back Hugging the child Holding the child’s hand continued

Selecting Quality Child Care Quality caregiving can be seen in emotional and social interactions with children Listening and talking with children Comforting children when they are distressed Asking them questions and answering theirs Offering encouragement and praise continued

Selecting Quality Child Care Another part of appropriate child–caregiver interaction includes guiding children’s behaviors and choices helping them make age-appropriate decisions Arranging an interview can help determine the qualities and qualifications of the potential caregiver continued

Selecting Quality Child Care Parents and caregivers form a care team and need to communicate about expectations and special instructions goals, updates, and progress concerns any special needs, such as medications, allergens, or special equipment continued

Selecting Quality Child Care Program activities depend on the age and developmental milestones of each child Quality care centers base activities on DAPs, or developmentally appropriate practices DAPs are age-appropriate activities and teaching methods that consider each child’s strengths, interests, and culture continued

Selecting Quality Child Care Some care centers will have DIPs, or developmentally inappropriate practices DIPs are activities that focus on infants, toddlers, or children as a group without considering developmentally appropriate activities or individual preferences continued

Selecting Quality Child Care Child care centers may not discriminate against children with special needs Centers must be accessible for all children, including those with disabilities Caregivers must be knowledgeable about varying types of special needs continued

Selecting Quality Child Care Licensed care centers go through periodic inspections to determine safety levels Care centers should be childproofed have emergency precautions have outdoor play areas in a safe location maintain good sanitation and health practices be clean and well kept continued

Selecting Quality Child Care A child care center that is visually stimulating can be an interesting place for a child The surrounding artwork, colors, toys, and music can all be positive indicators Rooms divided into different areas for varying kinds of play, reading, eating, and resting can also be stimulating to children continued

Selecting Quality Child Care Visiting a center or preschool is one of the best ways to research child care options Observations can be objective or subjective Creating a list of questions can help track concerns and record observations Parents should continue to monitor child care choices after they have made their selection

Older Adult Care and Services Families may need to provide alternate care when older adult family members are unable to care for themselves Alternative living arrangements that require relocation include independent living communities assisted living communities retirement homes continued

Older Adult Care and Services For older adults living with family, other part-time care options in addition to family care may be necessary Adult day care center Home health care worker ©Lisa F. Young/Shutterstock.com continued

Older Adult Care and Services Adult day care centers offer safe environments staffed by health and other care specialists Centers provide services during the day and offer age-appropriate activities May offer intergenerational activities Can be physically, cognitively, and socio-emotionally beneficial continued

Older Adult Care and Services Older adults living independently may have a home health care worker who lives with the older adult or checks on them periodically A large proportion of in-home caregivers are unpaid family members Spouses, adult children, or extended family continued

Older Adult Care and Services Older adult care must meet the needs of the older adult as well as the family members Several resources can make the process of finding older adult care easier for families Community programs City, county, and state programs and services Local support groups continued

Older Adult Care and Services Once adult care is selected, the family and older adult should continue to assess the quality of care Adults and caregiver staff can determine if care provided meets the older adult’s needs Family members often visit the older adult to ensure caregivers are providing quality care