Chapter 2 Types of Early Childhood Programs
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child care occupations. Like the laboratory
schools, these programs train future child
care professionals. Some high schools have
their own child care laboratory facilities where
students can work with preschool children. The
preschool program may operate two, three, or
even fi ve days a week. Preschool children of
high school students, faculty, and community
members usually attend the program.
The high school students plan and present
the curriculum under the supervision of a
teacher who has a degree in early childhood
education. Some high school students may
observe the children while others work directly
with the children. The following week, the
students shift responsibilities. Those who
observed the preceding week work with the
preschoolers while the other students observe
them.
Figure 2.6 Laboratory schools generally have
highly qualified staff, well-planned curriculum, and
excellent equipment.
Sponsorship of Early
Childhood Centers
Child care programs vary how they are
operated and funded. They can be either for-profi t
programs or nonprofi t. Most observers are unlikely
to be aware of the differences between for-profi t
and nonprofi t operated centers. They all look alike
from the outside. For-profi t centers rely are parent
fees to operate. They are privately owned businesses
in local communities. For-profi t centers can also
be part of regional or national chains, which grew
rapidly during the last two decades of the twentieth
century. After paying expenses, remaining revenue
is returned to the owners or stockholders.
Nonprofi t centers are often sponsored by an
agency. Religious groups, universities, colleges,
YMCAs, YWCAs, hospitals, and recreation
departments sponsor the largest number. To
qualify for nonprofi t status, the center must be
operated for charitable purposes. Nonprofi t boards
are eligible for grants and government funding.
Due to the additional funding, these programs are
able to provide care that some families could not
afford. If the center is profi table, dividends cannot
go to private individuals. All profi ts have to be
returned to the organization.
Public Sponsorship
Publicly sponsored programs are nonprofi t
since they are eligible for federal, state and federal
SAFETY FIRST SAFETY FIRST
References and Background
Checks
In order to keep children safe from abuse, all early
childhood providers must submit to reference and
background checks before starting employment at
a child care facility. This may include fingerprinting
and checking state social service records for
previous child abuse convictions. People who are
known sex offenders or who acknowledge sexual
attraction to children will not be allowed to work in
child care.
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