Research tells us that specialized training and education of teachers is one of the strongest predictors of child care quality. In the late 1960s, however, most states did not require preservice training or higher education for teachers in early childhood programs or family child care homes. At that time, Missouri wanted to develop a project that…

Highlights program strategies to support families as they adjust to changes in welfare policy. Core strategies noted include using early childhood programs as a resource, adapting early childhood programs to better meet family needs, promoting access to high-quality child care, linking early childhood programs and welfare agencies, and creating…

Examines current reforms in early childhood education, and the nature and scope of changes in the care and education of children since the 1960s. Emphasizes the need for: (1) coherent child and family policy in the United States; (2) appropriate curricula for children of different ages; (3) establishment of a federal office of early childhood…

Describes developmental and behavioral characteristics of homeless young children and their parents. Reports on how states and communities are attempting to meet the early education and care of young children in homeless families. Discusses the needs or problems that early education and care programs that include homeless children should address.…

Describes North Carolina's efforts to develop a school readiness definition and assessment plan, focusing on differentiating readiness from eligibility and giving equal weight to schools' capacity to educate all children. Presents selected findings from the statewide assessment. Describes dilemmas faced by the state and their resolutions.…

Discusses new state child care provisions to be implemented as part of the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program (JOBS Program) for Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) parents under the welfare reform bill, the Family Support Act. (BB)

Provides the information currently available on the types of programs offered for prekindergartners and the children served by or through local and state education agencies. Examines types of preschool services offered, families being served, and the implications for the field of early childhood. Expresses concern about settings of unknown…

Claims that increasingly, decisions about whether or how resources will be allocated to young children and families will be made at the state level. Explores the questions answered by the policy document, "Map and Track: State Initiatives for Young Children and Families," and the significance of these questions. Highlights findings and…

Discusses federal and state initiatives to enhance child care quality and child care teachers' compensation. These initiatives have resulted from the passage of the Child Care and Development Block Grant in 1990. (BB)

Presents various questions and answers on issues concerning the federal legislation known as the Act for Better Child Care. Issues addressed include child care program costs, national and state standards for quality child care programs, and child care staff compensation. (BB)

Relates the history of First Impressions, an early childhood initiative in Colorado. Insights gleaned from the First Impressions story are offered for advocates of early childhood education. (BG)

Illustrates trends and issues associated with public policies promoting early childhood program accreditation. Describes differential rate policies in Florida, New Mexico, Kentucky, Mississippi, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Oklahoma; support provided for accreditation in Arizona, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Texas, and Wisconsin; and linking…

Explores the following aspects of state prekindergarten initiatives: (1) states take varied approaches to prekindergarten initiatives; (2) state policy decisions impact availability of programs; (3) many factors influence program quality; (4) barriers make programs inaccessible to some families; (5) collaboration efforts promote coordination at…

The TEACH Early Childhood Wisconsin is an initiative to address the crisis in recruitment, compensation, and retention of high-quality early childhood teachers and providers. The plan involves advanced training for infant/toddler caregivers, infant/toddler credential, administrator credential, and scholarships for higher education. Efforts are…

According to federal rules governing the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program, grant applicants were required to develop plans for spending their funding allocation. This article discusses the CCDBG public hearings and the need for the public and government officials to prepare more carefully for the hearings. (LB)