Quality Child Care Makes A Difference
Parents know that the person who cares for their child many hours a week makes a difference in their child's life and well-being. Both common sense and research tell us that children's brains are growing most quickly during their first years of life, and that their experiences during these critical early years lay the foundation for the rest of their lives. As a result, child care affects the way that children think, learn, and behave. Studies repeatedly have shown that high-quality child care - care that provides a loving, safe, stable and age-appropriate stimulating environment - helps children enter school ready to learn. Studies have shown that high-quality care has an even greater impact on children from families that earn low incomes. And, that poor-quality care - which is too often not stimulating, uncaring, and even unsafe - deprives children of the strong start they need.
Parents know that the person who cares for their child many hours a week makes a difference in their child's life and well-being. Both common sense and research tell us that children's brains are growing most quickly during their first years of life, and that their experiences during these critical early years lay the foundation for the rest of their lives. As a result, child care affects the way that children think, learn, and behave. Studies repeatedly have shown that high-quality child care - care that provides a loving, safe, stable and age-appropriate stimulating environment - helps children enter school ready to learn. Studies have shown that high-quality care has an even greater impact on children from families that earn low incomes. And, that poor-quality care - which is too often not stimulating, uncaring, and even unsafe - deprives children of the strong start they need.
What you can do
Share changes in your child's eating, napping or toileting habits; changes in mood; likes and dislikes.
Report significant family changes, such as a new pet, moving to a new home or a visitor.
Ask how your child is doing in the program.
Abide by your caregiver's policies.
Show appreciation by expressing thanks, writing a note, bringing a treat, volunteering to help, etc.
What the caregiver can do
Discuss changes in your child's eating, napping or toileting habits; changes in mood; likes and dislikes.
Report issues with other children in a way that respects the privacy of other families and provide positive suggestions for action.
Introduce new children in the group.
Keep you informed regarding contagious illnesses.
Update you on program changes such as staff or schedule.
Inform you of new activities.
Share changes in your child's eating, napping or toileting habits; changes in mood; likes and dislikes.
Report significant family changes, such as a new pet, moving to a new home or a visitor.
Ask how your child is doing in the program.
Abide by your caregiver's policies.
Show appreciation by expressing thanks, writing a note, bringing a treat, volunteering to help, etc.
What the caregiver can do
Discuss changes in your child's eating, napping or toileting habits; changes in mood; likes and dislikes.
Report issues with other children in a way that respects the privacy of other families and provide positive suggestions for action.
Introduce new children in the group.
Keep you informed regarding contagious illnesses.
Update you on program changes such as staff or schedule.
Inform you of new activities.