44
Part 1 Organizing a Quality Child Care Program
Infant and Toddler Centers
The demand for center-based care for infants and toddlers is growing rapidly.
Parents recognize the reliability of center care. They also expect the center will have a
greater variety of toys and equipment than in-home care. Trained staff and develop-
mentally appropriate activities are considered important and families look for those
characteristics when choosing care. Licensed center-based programs meet basic
standards of care. This provides parents with confidence that they have made a good
choice for their children.
Infant/toddler center-based care is very expensive. To provide quality care, group
sizes must be small. The ratio of adults to children must be low. Child development
experts believe that, ideally, there should be one trained adult to every three or four
children. This makes the cost of staffing high. The different characteristics of infants
and toddlers result in a need to keep these two age groups separate. Toddlers are on-
the-go constantly and are eagerly assertive. Infants, who lack the ability to walk or
protect themselves, are no match for toddlers. Both groups require constant individu-
alized attention from consistent caregivers, 2-9.
It is often difficult for parents to find quality infant or toddler care at a price they
can afford. Health and safety issues are a major concern in infant/toddler care. It is
also difficult for program directors to find and keep well-trained staff members who
are committed to working with these younger
children.
Before- and After-School Care
Recently, there has been significant growth
in the numbers of school-age children enrolled
in before- and after-school care programs. The
typical school day does not always match the
workday of employed parents. Growing concern
over the well-being of children in self-care has
led more families to recognize the value of orga-
nized school-age child care. Children in self-care
are often referred to as latchkey children
because they often carry house keys with them.
School-age care may be offered both before
and after school. Relaxation and an opportunity
to unwind are typically part of the program as
well as breakfast or after-school snacks. Many
centers also provide tutoring, a quiet place to do
homework, crafts and games, 2-10. Some pro-
grams work cooperatively with scouts, Y’s, or
other typical after-school programs so children
will not miss out on other community activities.
Most school-age programs are linked
administratively to centers that also offer
2-9 This toddler is eager to play after her after-
noon nap.