The history of child care is a universal practice that has been around for centuries that was only at first usually practiced among relatives. However, over the past decades with the increase in women employment, single parent homes, and the economy mothers and families have begun enrolling their children in child care centers regularly. Consequently, childcares became the norm in society and by the 1990’s 6 million infant and toddlers were in regular non parental child care (Phillips & Adams, 2001). Now that a high demand for child care was needed parents were faced with the issue of seeking suitable care facilities that conformed to certain standards, their budget, values, and other factors that were preferred and fit their needs. Since there are so many different child care types, principles, programs, and etc. that parents can choose from it can be difficult to know what to look for and decide what the best fit is for your child. This paper will briefly go over the cost, variety of child care arrangements, childcare regulations, and personnel qualifications among other factors to consider when choosing proper care for your children and their development.
The first factors parents should consider when childcare is decided to be needed are the affordability, availability, type of care desired, and quality of the center they might choose. These three factors directly affect the parent’s capability to manage their work and family life, which is why they must be decided upon first. Child care for infants and toddlers are more costly than care given to older children. The average child care prices in urban areas in 47 states found that in over one-half of the cities surveyed full-time care for an infant was more than $6, 032 per y...
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...onal 13% had a two year college degree (Hofferth, 1996).
Along with selecting a quality child care center a child’s mental, cognitive stimulation and emotional development is not derived from child care alone but is a mixture of what transpires at home along with the child care setting. Parents and the home environment are stated to be the predominant influence on children’s adjustment, well-being, and development (Phillips & Adams, 2001). Making sure these factors are implemented helps to enhance positive cognitive outcomes.
References
Hofferth, S. L. (1996). Child Care in the United States Today. Financing Child Care, Vol. 6, No. 2, pg. 41-61.
Phillips, D., & Adams, G. (2001). Child Care and Our Youngest Children. Caring for Infants and Toddlers, Vol. 11, No. 1, 35-51.
Scarr, S. (1998). American Child Care Today. American Psychologist, Vol. 53, No. 2, 95-108.
There is a problem in Texas impacting children’s futures; many childcare centers and homes are not providing children with quality care. In an article about cost and quality in Texas childcare, child development experts Susan Eitel and Joyce Nuner quote a study stating “that [nationally] only 10% of infants and toddlers are in high quality [childcare] programs” (34). The term ratio describes the number of children one caregiver is watching. This number is one of the major factors in the quality of a childcare program. Organizations such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children know as NAEYC release recommendations regarding ratios and accredit programs based on their compliance. Childcare centers and homes must comply with certain minimum standards enforced by Texas regarding ratios; however, these standards often set the bar lower than recommendations made by these early childhood experts. The current standards in Texas do not ensure that all young children receive quality care; for this reason, the Texas Department of Family Protective Services should strengthen the minimum standards regarding ratios to better regulate the quality of care children receive.
The childcare industry has variables including childcare by a family member, a traditional caregiver or a day care center. It depends on a family’s situation as to which one benefits them most. The two types of childcare to be discussed are the traditional caregiver and a day care center. Parents must decide whether they want a one-on-one or a group setting for the care of their children.
Overall both theorists want to establish the influence they believe will help these infants later as they progress over time. Either it is helping children create learned behaviors or instill protective factors through secure attachments with their primary caregivers. Although most general views are conflicting it is important to notice the main motivation is on the infant and their development. Both theorists attempt to compensate through the techniques of daycare they execute to ensure the child is receiving satisfactory care and developing appropriately. The views on how caregivers should react and interact contrast but both theories still look to protect and care for the child.
"Child Care Quality: Does It Matter?" LifeSkills 1 (Dec. 2000/2001): 4.Http://www.danrpeoplelinks.ucr.edu/nb3/lib/ls_1_4.pdf. University of California. Web.
Childcare or “daycare” is one of the most commonly used resources among Americans in the United States. There are many options for childcare that parents could choose from. They have many choices for childcare, ranging from: in-home care, childcare facilities, after school or government-funded Head Start programs. . “Head Start is a federally funded governmental program with the explicit goal of preparing underprivileged children for primary education” (Conley). This program is another option for the pre-k program. The cost of childcare has risen dramatically over the past year, and no one really knows whom to blame for it. The government offers families subsidies for childcare, but that is only if your income is low. But, what about the hard working, middle class families, that are still struggling to pay the high cost of childcare without government assistant? How will they provide childcare for their kids?
Over time, the debate of childcare issue within the Canadian public policy context has been raging. Rise in the media attention of the social issue of childcare policy in Canada concentrates on the relationship and coordination among the federal, provincial, and territorial governments in addressing the social issue (Finkel, 20013). According to Lewis Steven of The Star Canada News Agency, childcare is one of the priorities the Canadian Federal Government need to consider when designing its social policies. According to Lewis (2013), the Canadian Federal Government needs to consider the safety net income as an important factor contributing to affordable childcare services in the country. In Canada, parents or members of extended family have the responsibility of providing childcare services without the consideration of family net income. However, outside the family, there are many childcare providers operating as private individuals or agencies. Such childcare providers operate as private businesses.
Childcare is a necessity for a large number of working families and single parents. Fortunately, there are many options available to meet both the needs of the family and their budget. Each option comes with advantages and disadvantages. We will provide some basic information regarding each type, as well as some guidelines in regards to estimated cost.
When selecting childcare for your child the foundation of early learning has offered some tips that they believe will be helpful in the process. The foundation says that parents have always known that good early experience was important for their child. Now scientist and researchers are confirming how critical these first years of life are to your child’s healthy development (Selecting child care, 2002). Because the brain matures in the world rather than in the womb, the brain growth and development of infants and young children is deeply affected by their earliest experiences. In a childcare environment the relationship your child has with the caregiver will also affect how that child feels about himself and the world around him and as he grows up (Selecting child care, 2002). I ...
Children who participate in quality early learning programs tend to be more successful later in school. They are also most socially and emotionally competent. In addition those children show higher verbal and intellectual development during early childhood than children who do not participate in early learning programs (A Parent’s Guide to Choosing Quality Child Care). In order for a child care center to be a quality center they must have an educated staff, a program accreditation, and good health and safety practices. Parents choose high quality child care for many reasons. These programs prepare children for school in which they gain intellectual and social skills. Also the programs are a good opportunity for children because they receive age-appropriate learning materials and activities to let the children learn and grow.
According to the National Association of Child Care Resources and Referral Agencies, prices for child care range from $3,582 to $18,773 annually. (2010) Families below the Federal poverty line will spend at least 23 percent of their annual earnings on child care (Urban Institute, 2007). Child care has become a daily need for most working families in the Unites States. In most cases, the quality of child care is under the mantra "you get what you pay for," which would attribute to the high cost of child care. Not only do children need to be watched, but also cared for and nurtured. For this reason, families are willing to make sacrifices in order to place their children in good care. Many parents opt into spending
It is common knowledge that a parent is considered the most efficient caregiver for their children. It’s also known that with daily responsibilities of caring for a child financially, parents partake in full-time and/or part-time employment. While needing to do so, many children attend daycare/preschool facilities. Granted, it is the parent’s responsibility to cautiously select where they decide to take their children. This is because parents know that while they are away for numerous hours of the day, their children are in the hands of another care provider and that their care would have an enormous impact on their children. At a young age, a child’s social and cognitive skills are continuing to take shape and the amount of time spent in these facilities has a resilient impact on a child’s development. With proper and superior care no matter the time spent, such positive effects on a child’s development should endure in a child’s cognitive and social development. In other words, there is a great benefit of childcare/daycare attendance on a child’s development.
This is a realistic example of how the financial obstacles facing young families these days result in the use of non-parental child care. Many families today are faced with financial burdens, forcing them to utilize day care services for their children so that both parents can work. This paper will discuss three types of non-parental child care including center-based care, in-home care, and family day care. Furthermore, in an attempt to understand the effects of day care on children, this paper will evaluate the psychological, social, and cognitive impacts on child development as a result of day care. After reading this paper you will recognize that all types of child care can be effective as long as the provider is a quality caregiver.
fagan, patrick, and rector robert. "The Clinton Day Care Proposal: An Attack on Parents and Children." Heritage Foundation (1998): n. pag. Web. 17 May 2010. .
Click, P. M., & Parker, J. (2002). Caring for School-Age Children (Third Edition). United States of America: Delmar.
In addition to the above, it is worth noticing that children in day-care tend to be better adjusted people, due to spending time with people outside their own families. This teaches them how to interact with others. It is the interactions between the parents and other caregivers that actually affect the way a baby’s brain is wired for later learning, as has been sug...