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Part 1 Organizing a Quality Child Care Program
This means some form of advanced reservation
is necessary so you know how many children
to expect. A registration procedure ahead of
time allows you to collect emergency numbers
and other important information before you
assume care for the children.
Early Childhood Programs
NAEYC uses the term, early childhood
programs in reference to all programs for chil-
dren from ages birth to eight. The term covers
full-day child care as well as part-day pro-
grams. There is currently some confusion
regarding the names for part-day programs.
Among child development specialists, there is
agreement that regardless of what a program is
called, or how it is sponsored, quality program-
ming is essentially the same. The kinds of activ-
ities, schedule, staff training, and guidance
should be similar.
Nursery School or Preschool
Nursery schools have existed in the United
States since the early l900s. They are usually
half-day programs and are chosen by parents
who do not need full-child care. Most nursery
schools use tuition as the main source of
income. The types of programs found in
nursery schools are generally play-based and
consistent with the principles of NAEYC’s
developmentally appropriate practices statement. Preschool children, ages three to
five, are the typical age served. This is why the term “preschool” is often used inter-
changeably with the term “nursery school.”
Laboratory Schools
Laboratory schools are those programs that exist for the primary purposes of
training future teachers and studying children. They are affiliated with colleges, uni-
versities, vocational schools, high schools, community colleges, or other training and
research institutions, 2-12. The programs are usually model programs where appro-
priate ways of working with children are demonstrated. Some lab schools are full-day
and also serve a child care role for the parents. Others are operated only half-day and
serve as a nursery school facility.
2-11 Some amusement parks have drop-in cen-
ters where tired children can rest or play while
their parents try out the adult rides.