The ZERO to THREE website has an array of topics
ranging from Behavior and Development, Maltreatment, Care and Education and, Public
Policy. Each topic branches off to issues related to the main topics with some
leading you to outside links which gives parents and early childhood
professionals the opportunity to gain more insight on topics that they are
interested in or just may want to investigate.
Over the past few weeks we have been discussing the issue of equity and how all families and children should have equal access to high quality care. The topic of Care and Education in the ZERO to THREE website identifies criteria of what to look for when choosing child care. The website also identifies that a good caregiver is one who is loving and responsive, respects the baby's individuality, and provides a stimulating and child-friendly environment (Zero to Three, 2014).
Many parents who are looking for child care maybe uniformed or at times misled with the wrong information when trying to understand what "quality care" actually entails. This website identifies the criteria of what to look for in a child care program. This information empowers parents to make better decisions as they will be more informed with accurate information needed. Hopefully this information will also help parents find the quality care that they need and deserve.
The website identifies information on licensing issues with regards to licensing requirements for programs and providers. The website provides an outside link called the Child Care Aware of America. Here is the link: http://www.naccrra.org/?AddInterest=1152
The website wants parents to be informed with the correct information so parents can have access to excellence. When parents are looking at programs, they want them to ask the question, "Is the child care program licensed by the state or local government? They also want parents to see if the program they are investigating for possible care is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children http://www.naeyc.org/?AddInterest=1152
The website also provides a link to the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition so parents can check to see if the caregivers in the program meet the requirements needed to teach young children. http://www.cdacouncil.org/?AddInterest=1152 The information provided in the ZERO to THREE website helps parents to understand what is quality care and what they should be looking for when accessing care.
The main focus of the ZERO to THREE website is geared to the understanding of early care, so it was interesting to find out that they offer parents with the proper information and the tools to help them with the criteria to look for when trying to access for care for their child. The June 2014 newsletter has not been posted yet, so I was not able to obtain any new information from the newsletter that would add to my understanding of equity and excellence in early care or education. I will post an update once I receive the June newsletter.
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteAll babies and toddlers need positive early learning experiences to foster their intellectual, social and emotional development and lay the foundation for later school success. Babies and toddlers living in high risk environments need additional supports to promote their healthy growth and development. All childcare arrangements, including family, friend, neighbor, and family and center based child care have the potential to provide high-quality, individualized, responsive and stimulating experiences that occur within the context of strong relationships and which are imbedded in everyday routines.
Stephanie as Early Childhood professionals we should constantly inform the general public on how to choose and personally provide excellence quality care for young children. Zero to Three seems like a resourceful organization who truly implements principles of holistic equity. Hopeful families are engaged to these vital links and use the licensing information to find the best accessible and affordable early care programs of their choice.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with you and the others. Finding high-quality care environments is critical during the infant and toddler years. So often families are faced with difficult decisions regarding the placement of their children in care situations, particularly when contemplating cost vs. quality. Having guidelines to aid in that decision making process can be quite helpful, especially when they can be molded to fit particular cultures and family value systems. I have met far too many a family who have expressed concerns to me about their past or current providers with regret about their decisions or areas of focus that in hindsight may have weighed less heavily in their decision. Information is the key--the more we can provide to families--the stronger we ALL become.
ReplyDeleteStephanie,
ReplyDeleteI have used the Zero the Three as a resource in my classroom and for many classes and have enjoyed the information on the site. I think it is an easy enough website for even parents to understand and is filled with a vast amount of information. I had never heard of the Child Care Aware of America site and I am looking forward to exploring the site and its newsletter. I believe it will be an important resource for many parents so they can understand the regulations in their state. Thank you for sharing it!
Tanya
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI have never used Zero to Three but look forward to visiting this website and learning what it has to offer. I also agree that parents need to know what to look for when visiting a preschool especially first time parents. Also know what licensing requires a school to do have is very important. I also suggest that parents need to visit their state licensing website to see what their local centers violations.Parents need to be more knowledgable and then they can make the right choice for their children's education. Just because a centers has bells and whistles does't mean it is high quiality center.
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI had to check out the part of the Zero to Three website where families could check if their caregivers qualify for teaching children. It was so interesting, thanks for providing me with that information. As you know, I've also been looking at the Zero to Three website, and I seem to be able to find something new every time I look at it. Thanks for a very detailed post this week, I hope you are having a great summer!
Machaela