Quality child care is a blend of art and science. The science of child care encompasses knowledge of health and safety, developmental stages in the first years of life, and the temperament and other individual differences. T

Once the target market has been determined, a demographic study should be conducted. A demographic study collects information about the community that will be served by the child care facility. There a variety of ways in which this data can be collected. The United States Bureau of the Census, Business Research Centers, local universities, and local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies can be helpful when collecting this data. There are several essential areas that should be the focused on when completing a demographic study. The first is the target market. This refers to the potential clients who are likely to be served by the child care facility. Attention need to be placed on the distance from the center to the potential target market, parents do not typical wish to drive more than five to ten minutes from their homes for child care. If the center is in a rural area, the radius can be extended another five miles. One must be aware of any geographical boundaries such as rivers or limited access highways that may influence the radius and the demographics. One of the best places to collect data about a specific geographical location is to the State Data Centers, one can see data that according to the 2000 census (Abrams, 2002). Using this data a person can break down by zip codes any pertinent information that may be helpful in there business adventure.

Some of the areas that need to be looked at very critically to ensure the quality of the program are. Lesson plans. Lesson plans need to be created each week and adhered to in the classroom. Not to say that a person does not need to have some flexibility in their schedule. However, lesson plans allow for the implementation for a daily, consistent routine, which is so very important to grow, and development of young children (Bredekamp, Rosegrant, 1999). Lesson plans need to be used as a classroom management tool, this also makes it very clear for the teacher, what is expected of them. The director of the center should be monitoring the plans to ensure that the children are involved in developmentally appropriate activities. Lesson plans need to embrace many aspects, which enhance the quality of care the children will receive. One needs to be sure to explore diversity in day-to day activities. The value of cultural diversity is very important for young children; they need to be exposed to differing cultural aspects if we want them to grow into respectful adults (Mangione, 1995).

Positive, supportive relationships, important during the earliest years of life, appear essential not only for cognitive development but also for healthy emotional development and social attachment (Stern, 1985). The first years of life are critical. Child care centers need to have the skills to create an atmosphere that encompasses all of these important steps to ensure that all children have the opportunity to be successful later in life.

When creating a child care center that meets the need of all parents and families the center director must act as the liaison between parents and the community. This means connecting parents with the appropriate social service agencies in the community when necessary. This would include the health department, local doctors, local family and children services, along with counselors and developmental specialists. In today’s society, more than half are working mothers, more than ever before (Mangione, 1995). Two working parents have replaced the traditional family of just a few years, with children receiving care outside of the home. Even more families are single working parents, which can present a number of issues for young children. To ensure that the child is receiving all around quality care, one needs to have knowledge of all service available to the children that are being served by the center.

he art of child care is the ability to respond to the child-and to a group of children-in the moment, in a way that will support development (Lally, 1995). L

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