Unit One The Children and You 38 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. They can also provide more individualized attention. See Figure 2.8 for the adult-child ratios recommended for various age groups by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). When there are a large number of children per caregiver, the children’s behavior and adult-child interaction are impacted. Group size also affects the quality of a child’s experience. Group size should be infl uenced by the age of the children. Check your state’s licensing guidelines. These regulations mandate the minimum ratio and maximum group size. NAEYC also has suggested guidelines. Staff qualifi cations are another factor affecting quality programs. Staff should have specifi c training in early childhood education and child development. A large national study showed that teachers with this background had better adult- child interaction skills and were more positive. As a result, the children enrolled in these programs showed greater cognitive and social skills. It is recommended that full-time head teachers have a bachelor’s degree in child development or early childhood education. Some teachers may have graduate degrees, although assistant teachers usually have less education than head teachers. Warm, caring, encouraging, and intentional adult-child interactions are at the heart of a quality early childhood program. Through social interactions, young children learn to communicate, think and reason. Their confi dence increases as well as their motivation, which will make them more engaged and successful learners. Selecting a Child Care Program Selecting an early childhood program is one of the most important decisions that parents make. Comfort with the children’s care and education can greatly affect the quality of family life (Figure 2.9). For this reason, parents need to make this decision carefully. When searching for the right program, parents consider many factors. Each family makes this choice based on its own needs, priorities, goals, and budget. Many parents do consider some common factors, however. See Figure 2.10 for a list of questions parents can use to compare programs. First and foremost, parents want their children to be safe and comfortable. They want a Figure 2.9 Parents are greatly comforted when they see their children playing happily in the early childhood program they have chosen. Figure 2.8 Recommended Adult-Child Ratios Age of Children Recommended Ratio 6 weeks to 1 year 1 adult to 3 children 1 to 2 years 1 adult to 5 children 2 to 3 years 1 adult to 6 children 3 to 5 years 1 adult to 8 children 5 to 6 years 1 adult to 10 children