Unit One The Children and You 28 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Today, the majority of American children spend time being cared for by someone other than their parents. Families rely on a variety of child care services to meet family and work needs. According to the United States Census Bureau, the majority of preschool-age children participate in some type of preschool program. The number of children participating in these programs continues to grow, which has driven up the demand for child care. Parents place their children in early childhood programs for two main reasons. First, many parents like the rich learning environment of a high-quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood program. Brain research shows that children learn from the earliest moments of life. Their learning is most rapid in the fi rst fi ve years. High-quality programs stimulate learning in this period (Figure 2.1). Studies show that children from high-quality programs did better in primary grades than other children in reading, math, and social skills. They also get along with their peers better and have fewer behavioral problems. Second, parents who work outside the home must provide for their children’s needs during working hours. For this reason, parents may enroll their children in early childhood programs. Parents pay to provide safe and nurturing care in a developmentally appropriate setting. In high-quality programs, the child’s developmental needs will also be met. Distinct differences exist among the many types of early childhood programs. These programs may differ in their philosophies, ownership, program offerings, and sources of support. Programs also vary in size, staff qualifi cations, hours of operation, facilities, and fees. Finally, programs may differ greatly in terms of quality, even when they are of the same type. Some types of programs are more common than others. All of them, however, should be high-quality and designed to meet the needs of young children. Studies show that properly designed programs result in substantial long- term gains. See Figure 2.2 for child care options parents most often choose. Family Child Care A popular form of child care in the United States provided other than by a relative or parent is called family child care. In this type of program, care and education are provided in the caregiver’s home with a small number of children. Often it is conveniently located in the child’s own neighborhood. Most states require licensing or registration for family child care homes. In those states, operating without a license or registration is against the law. The state could impose a misdemeanor and fi ne. Family child care home programs are often popular for infants and toddlers, but children might range from infants to school-age. Moreover, children may attend up to 12 hours per day. Child Care and Early Childhood Centers Facilities that offer full-day children’s programs are often called child care centers, or Figure 2.1 A challenging environment can help children develop cognitively, emotionally, socially, and physically.