Babies in Child Care

A CLASP Child Care & Early Education Project

Recent Materials

Summary | Headlines Only

Nov 14, 2012 | Stephanie Schmit Early Head Start Participants, Programs, Families and Staff in 2011 This fact sheet reviews the 2011 Program Information Report (PIR) data for the Early Head Start program, which serves children under age 3 and pregnant women. In 2011, Early Head Start continued to provide vital services to a diverse group of low-income children and families. However, only about 4 percent of eligible children receive Early Head Start services.
Nov 13, 2012 | Christine Johnson-Staub Planning Funding Partnerships: A Worksheet to Help States Get Started in Putting it Together The following worksheet comes from CLASP's "Putting It Together: A Guide to Financing Comprehensive Services in Child Care and Early Education." States and communities embarking on financing partnerships to expand access to comprehensive services can use this worksheet to begin mapping the need, available resources, and potential partnering strategies that will help them move forward. This document may be downloaded, edited, and saved.
Oct 01, 2012 | Child Care and Early Education Tennessee: Monitoring and Technical Assistance System In Tennessee, safety concerns along with increasing need among low-income, working families for quality child care, prompted the state to revamp its monitoring system and enact other licensing reforms. The state has worked to strengthen its child care licensing rules, as well as implement a policy that increased the frequency of inspections to better monitor providers and required annual evaluations of providers to improve the quality of care.
Sep 18, 2012 | Child Care and Early Education Minnesota: R.E.E.T.A.I.N. Bonus Program Minnesota’s Retaining Early Educators Through Attaining Incentives Now (R.E.E.T.A.I.N.) bonus program encourages and rewards well-trained child care professionals who stay in the field by awarding them with a monetary bonus. The R.E.E.T.A.I.N. program recognizes the importance of offering incentives to child care providers as encouragement to stay and advance in the profession.
Sep 14, 2012 | Stephanie Schmit and Jamie Colvard Webinar: State Initiatives to Expand Early Head Start This webinar discusses the content of the new CLASP and ZERO TO THREE report, "Expanding Access to Early Head Start: State Initiatives for Infants and Toddlers at Risk." The webinar highlights how states are using innovative funding, policies, and partnerships, to expand the EHS program and better meet the needs of more low-income children and pregnant women living in their state.
Sep 13, 2012 | Stephanie Schmit and Jamie Colvard Expanding Access to Early Head Start: State Initiatives for Infants and Toddlers at Risk All babies need good health, strong families, and positive early learning experiences to foster their healthy intellectual, social, and emotional development. Unfortunately, far too few young children receive the supports they need to build a strong foundation for future growth. The federal Early Head Start (EHS) program was created in 1994 to address the comprehensive needs of children under age 3 in low-income families and vulnerable low-income pregnant women. Research shows that EHS positively impacts children's cognitive, language, and social-emotional development; family self-sufficiency; and parental support of child development. This report highlights how states are using innovative funding, policies, and partnerships, to expand the critically important EHS program and better meet the needs of more low-income children and pregnant women living in their state.
Aug 14, 2012 | Christine Johnson-Staub Putting it Together: A Guide to Financing Comprehensive Services in Child Care and Early Education This guide provides state policymakers and advocates with strategies to maximize resources and make policy changes that drive funds, resources, and community partners to child care and early education programs to benefit young children and families. Separate from blending and braiding funding streams at the local or program level, the strategies described in this guide focus on state policy decisions that can facilitate the innovative use of funds, encourage partnerships at the state and local level, and replicate promising models from other states.
Jun 04, 2012 | Christine Johnson-Staub and Stephanie Schmit Home Away From Home: A Toolkit for Planning Home Visitng Partnerships with Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Home visiting and family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) partnerships hold great opportunity to reach more children with family support services during the critical early years. This toolkit provides states with an overview of FFN and home visiting partnerships, a tool to help states explore and establish this type of partnership, and case studies of existing home visiting and FFN partnerships.
Mar 28, 2012 | Stephanie Schmit and Danielle Ewen Supporting Our Youngest Children: Early Head Start Programs in 2010 This policy brief examines the latest data from the Program Information Reports (PIR) that all Early Head Start (EHS)programs must submit to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In 2010, Early Head Start saw its largest increase in enrollment in its history. EHS families continued to access services at a high rate and children continued to be connected to medical and dental services. Challenges continue to exist as teachers' salaries remain stagnant and a smaller percentage of teachers have an associate's degree or higher in 2010 compared to 2009 and 2006.
Feb 09, 2012 | Christine Johnson-Staub Promote Access to Early, Regular and Comprehensive Screening Very young children develop in the context of their physical and mental health and the capacity of their families and other caregivers to address the full range of early childhood development. All babies and toddlers in child care need parents, providers, and caregivers supported by and linked to community resources. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that early, regular and comprehensive health, mental health, and developmental screenings and related services are made available at recommended ages for vulnerable infants and toddlers through connections with all infant and toddler providers and caregivers. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to promote access to early, regular, and comprehensive screening.
Jan 18, 2012 | Child Care and Early Education A Tool Using Data to Inform a State Early Childhood Agenda This tool is intended for state advocates and policymakers to use as they work to develop a state early childhood agenda. It includes a series of key questions to understand the context and conditions of young children, birth to six, in the state. Where possible, we also include infant/toddler specific questions. Questions include data on demographics and program participation (such as health and nutrition programs), as well as the details of child care and early education settings in the state. Users can download and save a copy of this tool, fill in their state’s data, and compare to national data points (which are provided where appropriate).
Dec 05, 2011 | Stephanie Schmit Early Head Start Participants, Programs, Families, and Staff in 2010 This fact sheet reviews the 2010 Program Information Reports (PIR) data for the Early Head Start program, which serves children under age 3 and pregnant women. In 2010, Early Head Start continued to provide vital services to a diverse group of low-income children and families. However, less than 4 percent of eligible children receive Early Head Start services.
Dec 02, 2011 | Child Care and Early Education Louisiana: Mental Health Consultation (MHC) Program Mental health consultations can help to equip child care providers who serve infants and toddlers with the tools and training needed to implement developmentally appropriate practices that foster healthy child development and support children with special needs. In July 2007, Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) contracted with the Tulane Institute of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health to launch a Mental Health Consultation (MHC) program for child care centers.
Dec 02, 2011 | Child Care and Early Education Louisiana: Quality Start Child Care Rating System Louisiana Quality Start Child Care Rating System is a voluntary quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) for all licensed child care in Louisiana, which includes child care centers, Head Start and Early Head Start programs. design and implementation was a major focus of the state’s early childhood initiative, BrightStart, which in 2009 was designated as the state’s early childhood advisory council. With funding from the Child Care and Development Block Grant, Quality Start was implemented statewide in 2007.
Dec 02, 2011 | Child Care and Early Education Pennsylvania: Keystone Babies The Keystone Babies program was created to expand access to high-quality early learning settings for vulnerable infants and toddlers in Pennsylvania. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the voluntary program offers financial support to center-based providers to create additional slots for low-income infants and toddlers in the state’s child care assistance program, Child Care Works (CCW).
Dec 01, 2011 | Child Care and Early Education Massachusetts: Family Child Care System Contracts Family child care (FCC) is a common type of child care for children under the age of three. The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) contracts with FCC systems to ensure a stable level of access to high-quality family child care throughout the state. Any FCC system in Massachusetts that agrees to provide EEC subsidized early education and care services through its affiliated providers must hold a contract with EEC. FCC systems are significant sources of assistance and support for FCC providers in the state, particularly for those who serve subsidized children. In 2009, more than a quarter (28 percent) of subsidized children in Massachusetts were infants and toddlers, and more than a quarter of subsidized children (28 percent) were cared for in family child care or group child care homes.
Nov 17, 2011 | Danielle Ewen and Hannah Matthews Caring for Babies: How State Child Care Policies Can Support Continuity Quality, stable child care arrangements support the healthy development of infants and toddlers. This presentation from the 2011 NAEYC Annual Conference in Orlando, FL describes how state subsidy policies can support retention of child care subsidies and continuous care for infants and toddlers.
Oct 05, 2011 | Christine Johnson-Staub Arkansas: Developmental Screening Partnership Children develop along a continuum, with milestones reached at ages that vary within an accepted timeframe. Development that does not happen within the expected timeframe can raise concerns about developmental disorders, health conditions, or other factors contributing negatively to the child’s development. Child care providers are often early witnesses to the signs of developmental problems with the children in their care, but they may not have the capacity or training to identify a problem, discuss concerns with families, and guide families in seeking related services.
Sep 23, 2011 | Christine Johnson-Staub Rhode Island: Watch Me Grow Child care providers are often early witnesses to the signs of developmental problems that may impact children in their care, but they often lack the capacity or training to identify a problem, discuss concerns with families, and guide families in seeking related services. In Rhode Island, early childhood stakeholders have created and funded a collaborative initiative that helps build that capacity, and better serve children in participating child care programs.
Jun 14, 2011 | Teresa Lim and Hannah Matthews Expand Monitoring and Technical Assistance To protect and promote the growth and development of very young children, providers and caregivers need to demonstrate constant vigilance over signs of potential harm and maintain clean, nurturing spaces. All babies and toddlers in child care need healthy and safe environments in which to explore and learn. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states conduct routine monitoring of infant and toddler child care in centers and family child care settings at least twice a year, provide technical assistance to help providers with licensing compliance, and use information on provider compliance to inform parents and ensure ongoing improvements in monitoring systems and child care quality.
May 06, 2011 | Hannah Matthews and Christine Johnson-Staub Caring for Babies: How State Subsidy Policies Can Support Continuity This presentation from the 2011 National Smart Start Conference describes how state subsidy policies can support retention of child care subsidies and continuous care for infants and toddlers.
Jan 20, 2011 | Child Care and Early Education Building Comprehensive State Systems for Vulnerable Babies CLASP has developed this resource to help state leaders strategize how to create or improve early childhood systems to meet the needs of vulnerable babies and toddlers, their families, and pregnant women. Every state has the pieces of a comprehensive early childhood system in place. This tool will help state leaders locate and build them into a system that meets the needs of children and families.
Aug 19, 2010 | Child Care and Early Education A Guide to State Policy Examples from the Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care Project This matrix provides a current list of states for which CLASP has posted policy examples for the Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
Aug 19, 2010 | Child Care and Early Education Indiana: Paths to QUALITY Infant/Toddler Specific Standards The Indiana quality rating and improvement system (QRIS), Paths to QUALITY, is a statewide voluntary system that includes infant and toddler standards and is designed for licensed child care centers, licensed family child care homes, and unlicensed registered faith-based organizations. Statewide rollout of Paths to QUALITY began in January 2008 and was completed in January 2009. A study conducted by Purdue University is currently underway to assess the impact of the QRIS. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
Jul 30, 2010 | Elizabeth Hoffmann Early Head Start Participants, Programs, Families, and Staff in 2009 This fact sheet reviews the 2009 Program Information Reports (PIR) data for the Early Head Start program, which serves children under age 3 and pregnant women. In 2009, Early Head Start continued to provide vital services to a diverse group of low-income children and families. However, less than 3 percent of eligible children receive Early Head Start services.
May 26, 2010 | Elizabeth Hoffmann Early Head Start Program Information Report (PIR) Data Available through CLASP's DataFinder This document explains CLASP's DataFinder tool and lists the Early Head Start state data available through this tool.
May 26, 2010 | Rachel Schumacher Leveraging Existing Funding Sources to Support Early Head Start and EHS-like Services This presentation was delivered at a meeting held by ZERO TO THREE and CLASP entitled, "Including and Expanding Early Head Start in State Early Childhood Systems." This meeting worked with state-level policymakers looking to create more comprehensive services for infants, toddlers, and their families.
May 25, 2010 | Fran Majestic, Barbara Gebhard, Rachel Schumacher, and Sue Mitchell Applying the EHS Approach to Services and Systems for Infants and Toddlers This presentation was delivered at a meeting held by ZERO TO THREE and CLASP entitled, "Including and Expanding Early Head Start in State Early Childhood Systems." This meeting worked with state-level policymakers looking to create more comprehensive services for infants, toddlers, and their families. Session speakers: Fran Majestic, Office of Head Start; Barbara Gebhard, ZERO TO THREE; Rachel Schumacher, CLASP; and Sue Mitchell, Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning.
May 18, 2010 | CLASP and the National Women's Law Center Audio Conference: Using ARRA Funds for State Infant/Toddler Initiatives Join CLASP and the National Women's Law Center on May 18 for a call to find out the latest on how states are using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to improve the quality of care for infants and toddlers.
Apr 19, 2010 | Elizabeth Hoffmann Extending Home Visiting to FFN and FCC - Webinar Slides CLASP hosted a webinar to share findings regarding how major national models of home visiting are including family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) caregivers and family child care providers (FCC). Elizabeth Hoffmann presented findings from CLASP's interview project with national models and other stakeholders, such as detailed considerations for implementing home visiting with FFN and FCC, including matters of curricula, staffing, and service referral. The webinar also reviewed opportunities that result from serving FFN and FCC, concluding with recommendations for states. This webinar was made possible by generous support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Apr 19, 2010 | Elizabeth Hoffmann Extending Home Visiting to FFN and FCC - Webinar Transcript and Audio CLASP hosted a webinar to share findings regarding how major national models of home visiting are including family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) caregivers and family child care providers (FCC). Elizabeth Hoffmann presented findings from CLASP's interview project with national models and other stakeholders, such as detailed considerations for implementing home visiting with FFN and FCC, including matters of curricula, staffing, and service referral. The webinar also reviewed opportunities that result from serving FFN and FCC, concluding with recommendations for states. This webinar was made possible by generous support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Apr 08, 2010 | Rachel Schumacher Promote Health and Safety As they develop from birth to age 3, young children rely on the adults who care from them to keep them clean, dry, fed, and safe from harm. All babies and toddlers in child care need healthy and safe environments in which to explore and learn. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states ensure that state licensing rules require practices and training that protect the safety of infants and toddlers―by addressing physical environments, safe sleep practices, bathing, and accident prevention―and promote infant/toddler health and well-being (including areas such as hand-washing, holding, feeding, comforting, diapering, and providing responsive caregiving); make certain that all infant and toddler providers and caregivers have access to the training and technical assistance needed to care for this age group; and require training prior to child care subsidy receipt.
Mar 23, 2010 | Elizabeth Hoffmann Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care: A Framework for Addressing the Needs of Infants and Toddlers in Child Care (Presentation) This presentation on CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project was given at the Illinois Action for Children conference.
Mar 17, 2010 | Child Care and Early Education Tennessee: The Strengthening Families Initiative Tennessee Strengthening Families is an initiative overseen by the Tennessee Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) in the state’s child welfare agency. CTF partners with the state’s Department of Human Services (DHS) to promote and integrate the Strengthening Families framework into state systems. This framework, developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy, aims to prevent child abuse and neglect by building five protective factors around young children and working with their families. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
Mar 15, 2010 | Elizabeth Hoffmann A Tool Using Data to Inform a State Infant/Toddler Care Agenda This tool is intended for state advocates and policymakers to use as they work to develop a state infant/toddler care agenda. It includes a series of key questions to understand the context and conditions of infants and toddlers in the state. Questions include data on demographics and program participation (such as health and nutrition programs), as well as the details of child care and early education settings in the state. Users can download and save a copy of this tool, fill in their state’s data, and compare to national data points (which are provided where appropriate).
Jan 22, 2010 | Child Care and Early Education Missouri: The Quality Rating System and Infant/Toddler Responsive Caregiving Checklist The Missouri Quality Rating System (MO QRS) is a voluntary system that seeks to address infants and toddlers both in terms of the design of the system and in the content on which child care quality is measured. The MO QRS was developed in part to align with the state's early learning standards and core competencies for early childhood professionals. Certain specific measures have been included to address infant/toddler care. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
Jan 11, 2010 | Child Care and Early Education California: The Comprehensive Approaches to Raising Educational Standards (CARES) Program and CARES Plus The First 5 California Comprehensive Approaches to Raising Educational Standards (CARES) program is a professional development and retention program that aims to build a highly-qualified and culturally and linguistically diverse early childhood workforce. Open to all ends of the spectrum of those caring for children from 0 to 5—from family, friend and neighbor (FFN) caregivers to licensed family child care providers and center-based teachers and directors, the program offers financial incentives and other supports and services to increase the pursuit of training and education and reduce turnover in the early learning field. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
Jan 11, 2010 | Child Care and Early Education Educare: Creating Comprehensive Early Care and Education Centers Educare is an initiative that draws on public and private resources to create and sustain comprehensive early care and education centers for low-income families with children from birth to age 5. These centers can serve as a model location, program, and a platform for policy change in the communities and states in which they are developed. Centers are currently open in Chicago (IL), Denver (CO), Miami (FL), Milwaukee (WI), Oklahoma City (OK), Omaha (NE), and Tulsa (OK). Additional centers in Kansas City (MO), Omaha (NE), Phoenix (AZ), Seattle (WA), Tulsa (OK), Waterville (ME), West DuPage (IL), and Yakima (WA) are in development. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
Dec 22, 2009 | Child Care & Early Education State CCDBG Plans to Build the Supply of Quality Care The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the largest source of federal funding for child care available to states. Every two years, states must lay out their plans for using all CCDBG funds to help low-income families access child care and to improve the quality of child care for all children, including infants and toddlers. The following lists examples of promising child care licensing, subsidy, and quality enhancement policies and initiatives related to building the supply of quality care as reported by states in their FFY 2008-2009 CCDBG plans.
Dec 22, 2009 | Child Care & Early Education State CCDBG Plans to Establish Core Competencies The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the largest source of federal funding for child care available to states. Every two years, states must lay out their plans for using all CCDBG funds to help low-income families access child care and to improve the quality of child care for all children, including infants and toddlers. The following lists examples of promising child care licensing, subsidy, and quality enhancement policies and initiatives related to establishing core competencies as reported by states in their FFY 2008-2009 CCDBG plans.
Dec 22, 2009 | Child Care & Early Education State CCDBG Plans to Expand Monitoring and Technical Assistance The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the largest source of federal funding for child care available to states. Every two years, states must lay out their plans for using all CCDBG funds to help low-income families access child care and to improve the quality of child care for all children, including infants and toddlers. The following lists examples of promising child care licensing, subsidy, and quality enhancement policies and initiatives related to expanding monitoring and technical assistance as reported by states in their FFY 2008-2009 CCDBG plans.
Dec 22, 2009 | Child Care & Early Education State CCDBG Plans to Promote Access to Comprehensive Services The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the largest source of federal funding for child care available to states. Every two years, states must lay out their plans for using all CCDBG funds to help low-income families access child care and to improve the quality of child care for all children, including infants and toddlers. The following lists examples of promising child care licensing, subsidy, and quality enhancement policies and initiatives related to promoting access to comprehensive services as reported by states in their FFY 2008-2009 CCDBG plans.
Dec 22, 2009 | Child Care & Early Education State CCDBG Plans to Promote Access to Early, Regular and Comprehensive Screenings The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the largest source of federal funding for child care available to states. Every two years, states must lay out their plans for using all CCDBG funds to help low-income families access child care and to improve the quality of child care for all children, including infants and toddlers. The following lists examples of promising child care licensing, subsidy, and quality enhancement policies and initiatives related to promoting access to appropriate screenings as reported by states in their FFY 2008-2009 CCDBG plans.
Dec 22, 2009 | Child Care & Early Education State CCDBG Plans to Promote Competitive Compensation and Benefits The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the largest source of federal funding for child care available to states. Every two years, states must lay out their plans for using all CCDBG funds to help low-income families access child care and to improve the quality of child care for all children, including infants and toddlers. The following lists examples of promising child care licensing, subsidy, and quality enhancement policies and initiatives related to promoting competitive compensation and benefits as reported by states in their FFY 2008-2009 CCDBG plans.
Dec 22, 2009 | Child Care & Early Education State CCDBG Plans to Promote Family Engagement The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the largest source of federal funding for child care available to states. Every two years, states must lay out their plans for using all CCDBG funds to help low-income families access child care and to improve the quality of child care for all children, including infants and toddlers. The following lists examples of promising child care licensing, subsidy, and quality enhancement policies and initiatives related to promoting family engagement as reported by states in their FFY 2008-2009 CCDBG plans.
Dec 22, 2009 | Child Care & Early Education State CCDBG Plans to Promote Health and Safety The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the largest source of federal funding for child care available to states. Every two years, states must lay out their plans for using all CCDBG funds to help low-income families access child care and to improve the quality of child care for all children, including infants and toddlers. The following lists examples of promising child care licensing, subsidy, and quality enhancement policies and initiatives related to promoting health and safety as reported by states in their FFY 2008-2009 CCDBG plans.
Dec 22, 2009 | Child Care & Early Education State CCDBG Plans to Provide Access to Training, Education, and Ongoing Supports The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the largest source of federal funding for child care available to states. Every two years, states must lay out their plans for using all CCDBG funds to help low-income families access child care and to improve the quality of child care for all children, including infants and toddlers. The following lists examples of promising child care licensing, subsidy, and quality enhancement policies and initiatives related to providing access to training, education, and ongoing supports as reported by states in their FFY 2008-2009 CCDBG plans.
Dec 22, 2009 | Child Care & Early Education State CCDBG Plans to Support a Diverse and Culturally Competent Workforce The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the largest source of federal funding for child care available to states. Every two years, states must lay out their plans for using all CCDBG funds to help low-income families access child care and to improve the quality of child care for all children, including infants and toddlers. The following lists examples of promising child care licensing, subsidy, and quality enhancement policies and initiatives related to supporting a diverse and culturally competent workforce as reported by states in their FFY 2008-2009 CCDBG plans.
Dec 22, 2009 | Child Care & Early Education State CCDBG Plans to Use Subsidy Policies to Promote Stable, Quality Care The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the largest source of federal funding for child care available to states. Every two years, states must lay out their plans for using all CCDBG funds to help low-income families access child care and to improve the quality of child care for all children, including infants and toddlers. The following lists examples of promising child care licensing, subsidy, and quality enhancement policies and initiatives related to using subsidy policies to promote stable, quality care as reported by states in their FFY 2008-2009 CCDBG plans.
Dec 22, 2009 | Teresa Lim and Rachel Schumacher State CCDBG Plans to Promote Opportunities for Babies & Toddlers in Child Care (Full Report) CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project highlights state policies that support the healthy growth and development of infants and toddlers in child care settings. The foundation of the project is a policy framework comprised of four key principles describing what babies and toddlers in child care need and 15 recommendations for states to move forward. This report analyzes state Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) plans for FFY 2008-2009 through the lens of this policy framework and highlights state policies to improve infant/toddler child care.
Dec 22, 2009 | Teresa Lim and Rachel Schumacher State CCDBG Plans to Promote Opportunities for Babies & Toddlers in Child Care (Policy Brief) CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project highlights state policies that support the healthy growth and development of infants and toddlers in child care settings. The foundation of the project is a policy framework comprised of four key principles describing what babies and toddlers in child care need and 15 recommendations for states to move forward. This policy brief summarizes key findings from an analysis of state Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) plans for FFY 2008-2009 through the lens of the policy framework and highlights state policy approaches.
Dec 09, 2009 | Elizabeth Hoffmann and Tiffany Conway Perrin Extending Home Visiting to Kinship Caregivers and Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers This paper explores how home visiting programs are serving children in kinship care and in family, friend, and neighbor care, based on CLASP's interviews with major national models of home visiting and other stakeholders. It also presents detailed considerations for implementing home visiting with these caregivers, including matters of curricula, staffing, and service referral, and discusses opportunities that result from serving these caregivers. It concludes with recommendations for states and the federal government.
Dec 04, 2009 | Elizabeth Hoffmann Extending Home Visiting to Nonparental Caregivers: Opportunities and Barriers (Presentation) This presentation was given at ZERO TO THREE's 2009 National Training Institute. It explores how home visiting programs are serving children in kinship care and in family, friend, and neighbor care, based on CLASP's interviews with major national models of home visiting and other stakeholders. See also the accompanying paper.
Dec 04, 2009 | Rachel Schumacher Yes We Can: State Policies to Build the Supply of High Quality Infant/Toddler Child Care This presentation discusses the need for high quality infant/toddler child care, challenges to meeting that need, and policy ideas for states to use to build supply. It was delivered at the ZERO TO THREE National Training Institute.
Nov 19, 2009 | Rachel Schumacher Developing State Quality Rating and Improvement Systems with Babies in Mind This presentation provides guidance to state leaders who want to ensure a state Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) addresses the unique needs of babies and toddlers in child care. It includes a framework of issues to consider, examples of state QRIS provisions, and related resources.
Nov 17, 2009 | Rachel Schumacher Establish Core Competencies Learning to recognize the cues of very young children before they can talk is one of many important skills for child care providers and caregivers. All babies and toddlers in child care need nurturing, responsive providers and caregivers they can trust to care for them as they grow and learn. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states establish a core body of knowledge, skills, and expertise that providers and caregivers need in order to give babies and toddlers quality care, based on current research on social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to establish core competencies.
Nov 17, 2009 | Rachel Schumacher Provide Access to Training, Education, and Ongoing Supports Early experiences and relationships – including those in child care settings—help shape the architecture of the brain. All babies and toddlers in child care need nurturing, responsive providers and caregivers they can trust to care for them as they grow and learn. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states seek to ensure access to specialized professional development for providers working with infants and toddlers, including participation in higher education programs, community-level training, ongoing individualized consultations, and access to appropriate information and supports for caregivers, so that all those who care for infants and toddlers in all settings understand and implement a core body of knowledge and skills. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to provide access to training, education, and ongoing supports.
Nov 02, 2009 | Rachel Schumacher A Tool to Examine State Child Care Subsidy Policies and Promote Stable, Quality Care for Low-Income Babies and Toddlers This tool, part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project, is designed to provide a policy framework that lays out child care subsidy policies that can be implemented to better support babies and toddlers and their families. Users can download and save a copy of this tool, then fill in the appropriate columns with their state's current policies and opportunities for change.
Oct 15, 2009 | Child Care and Early Education California: Child Care Initiative Program—Building the Supply of Quality FCC Homes The California Child Care Initiative Program aims to increase the supply of quality child care options by recruiting, training, and retaining licensed family child care (FCC) home providers. CCIP is implemented at the community level by local Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs) and has the potential to support a significant share of infant/toddler care in the state. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
Aug 03, 2009 | Child Care and Early Education Indiana: Increasing Access to Child Care Information for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families Indiana uses its eleven local child care resource and referral agencies (CCR&Rs) to provide information on infant/toddler care to families from the state's cultural and linguistic groups, through onsite bilingual staff, partnering with community-based organizations, translating materials and forms, and offering enhanced referral services for families with infants and toddlers. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
Aug 03, 2009 | Child Care and Early Education Indiana: Providing Information and Training to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Providers and Caregivers The Indiana Association for Child Care Resource and Referral provides services and supports to Spanish-speaking providers, supports local CCR&Rs with outreach, and maintains a database on 18 different languages spoken throughout the state. Professional development opportunities addressing cultural and linguistic diversity include the Infant Toddler Specialists of Indiana and the Non-Formal CDA Credential Project. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
Jul 14, 2009 | Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth DiLauro (ZERO TO THREE) Illinois: Building on Early Head Start, IL Prevention Initiative This fact sheet presents information on a state initiative designed to build on and increase the availability of Early Head Start programs, including data on funding and supports, governance and coordination, program design, and monitoring and evaluation.
Jun 26, 2009 | Child Care and Early Education Delaware: Implementing Preservice Training Requirements and Group Sizes for Licensed Center-Based Infant/Toddler Providers As part of its 2007 revised regulations for child care centers, Delaware improved provider-to-child ratios for infants and toddlers, as well as strengthened preservice training, health and safety, and monitoring. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
Jun 26, 2009 | Child Care and Early Education Delaware: Training for Relative Care Providers Receiving Child Care Subsidies Delaware requires child development training for all relative caregivers receiving child care subsidies. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
Jun 26, 2009 | Child Care and Early Education Delaware: Training that Supports Infant/Toddler Providers and Caregivers A variety of Delaware's training initiatives tied to child care licensing and subsidy policies support infant/toddler providers and caregivers, including center-based providers, family child care providers, and relative caregivers receiving child care subsidies. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
Jun 22, 2009 | Child Care and Early Education Massachusetts: 12-Month Subsidy Eligibility Massachusetts switched to a 12-month subsidy eligibility period for most families to help children retain access to child care assistance and to reduce state administrative and staff burden. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
Jun 22, 2009 | Child Care and Early Education New Mexico: Defining Common Core Content and Specialized Knowledge to Promote the Effectiveness of Infant/Toddler Providers and Professionals New Mexico requires coursework on Common Core Content that outlines what all early childhood professionals should know and be able to do. The state has also established three areas of specialization: early childhood teacher, early childhood program administrator, and family, infant toddler professional. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
May 22, 2009 | Child Care and Early Education California: Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) The Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) is a comprehensive, multi-media, training of trainers initiative using a relationship-based approach to early care, that has been operating in California since 1985. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
May 22, 2009 | Child Care and Early Education Indiana: Requiring Continuity of Care in Licensing Through licensing rules for child care centers, Indiana requires centers to make a reasonable effort to achieve continuity of care for infants and toddlers up to 30 months of age. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
May 22, 2009 | Child Care and Early Education Minnesota: Policies that Support Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers A grant program supports diverse family, friend, and neighbor caregivers through six initiatives across Minnesota. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
May 22, 2009 | Child Care and Early Education Montana: Infant/Toddler Merit Pay and Certified Infant/Toddler Caregiver Stipend The Infant/Toddler Merit Pay Program and Certified Infant/Toddler Caregiver Stipend encourage providers and caregivers to participate in additional training and remain in the child care field in Montana. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
May 22, 2009 | Child Care and Early Education Montana: Using Subsidy Policy to Promote Continuity of Care The state designed its subsidy policies on absent days, medical appointments, and presumptive eligibility to promote stable care for children receiving child care assistance. This state example is part of CLASP's Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
May 07, 2009 | Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth Hoffmann Babies and Toddlers in Child Care: State Policy and Practice for Healthy Development Young children's experiences between birth and age 3 are critical cornerstones that lay the foundation for future growth and development. This presentation from the 2009 Smart Start Conference explores what babies need to thrive, how these needs align with state policies governing child care for infants and toddlers, and what specific policy examples states are putting into practice to improve care and promote healthy development.
May 06, 2009 | Elizabeth Hoffmann Extending Home Visiting Programs to Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers: Opportunities and Barriers (Presentation) Many young children spend significant time with family, friend, and neighbor caregivers in order for parents to work. This presentation, given at the national Smart Start conference, explores findings from interviews with national leaders in home visiting around the opportunities and challenges of using home visiting models with nonparental caregivers. Based on these findings, CLASP also offers recommendations for what states can do.
Mar 10, 2009 | Rachel Schumacher Benefitting Babies: Ten Policies States Can Implement Now to Improve Infant/Toddler Child Care with Economic Recovery Funds This paper presents ten policy ideas for state policymakers to implement now with economic recovery funds to support quality programs and enhancement strategies that will improve early care and learning for infants and toddlers.
Mar 10, 2009 State Infant/Toddler ARRA Policies Series Part of CLASP's "Reinvesting in Child Care" series, this set of eight fact sheets provides policy recommendations and state examples for using economic recovery funds to improve the quality of infant/toddler care.
Mar 09, 2009 | CLASP and the National Women's Law Center Making Use of Economic Recovery Funds: Child Care Policy Options for States This joint paper offers state policymakers and advocates a set of policy options for effectively spending CCDBG economic recovery funds to create new jobs, serve more families, and improve the quality of child care.
Mar 04, 2009 | Elizabeth Hoffmann Promote Access to Comprehensive Services Very young children develop in the context of their physical and mental health and the capacity of their families and other caregivers to address the full range of early childhood development. All babies and toddlers in child care need parents, providers, and caregivers supported by and linked to community resources. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states link comprehensive health, mental health, and family support services for vulnerable babies and toddlers to all child care settings, and provide culturally and linguistically appropriate service information to parents, providers, and caregivers. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to promote access to comprehensive services.
Mar 04, 2009 | Hannah Matthews Provide Information on Infant/Toddler Care Choosing child care for their very young children is often a difficult and emotional task for parents. All babies and toddlers in child care need their families to have access to quality options for their care. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states provide all parents of infants and toddlers with culturally and linguistically appropriate information on choosing high-quality care and subsidy eligibility. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to provide information on infant/toddler care.
Jan 22, 2009 | Rachel Schumacher Continuity of Care: A Critical Component of Quality for Babies and Toddlers in Child Care This presentation, given at the Chicago Metro AEYC Opening Minds Conference, explores how continuity of care affects infant and toddler development. Comparative state data from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minneosta, Ohio, and Wisconsin is included.
Nov 10, 2008 | Julie Cohen (ZERO TO THREE) and Danielle Ewen Infants and Toddlers in Child Care This joint brief makes policy recommendations to create supports for, and expand access to, quality child care for infants and toddlers, focusing on the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), tax policy, and appropriations. The brief also summarizes research on the importance of quality child care.
Sep 30, 2008 | Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth Hoffmann Build Supply of Quality Care Nurturing and responsive infant/toddler child care is difficult to provide, and even harder for parents to find, yet all babies and toddlers in care need high quality care. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states build the supply of high-quality child care settings for all babies and toddlers, with a special focus on underserved communities—including those in low-income, rural, and/or immigrant and language-minority communities. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to build supply of quality care.
Sep 30, 2008 | Hannah Matthews Support a Diverse and Culturally Competent Workforce Child care providers and caregivers need a set of skills to work effectively and respectfully across cultures. All babies and toddlers in child care need nurturing, responsive providers and caregivers they can trust to care for them as they grow and learn. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states ensure the diversity and cultural competence of infant and toddler providers and caregivers in order to meet the needs of the state’s children under three and their families. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to support a diverse and culturally competent workforce.
Sep 30, 2008 | Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth Hoffmann Use Subsidy Policies to Promote Stable, Quality Care The ability of low-income parents to secure the consistent, responsive, nurturing child care their babies and toddlers need is affected by state policies governing state subsidy systems. All babies and toddlers in child care need their families to have access to quality options for their care. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states use state child care subsidy policies to support stable, continuous access to the highest-quality providers and caregivers for infants and toddlers in low-income families. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to use subsidy policies to promote stable, quality care.
Aug 25, 2008 | Rachel Schumacher Improve Center Ratios and Group Sizes When child care providers and caregivers are able to focus attention on each baby or toddler in their care, it is easier for them to monitor safety, attend to individual physical needs, and promote child well being. All babies and toddlers in child care need healthy and safe environments in which to explore and learn. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states ensure that infants in center-based programs are cared for in groups no larger than six, with ratios of one child care provider to no more than three infants, and that toddlers are cared for in groups no larger than eight, with ratios of one provider to no more than four toddlers. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to improve center ratios and group sizes.
Aug 25, 2008 | Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth Hoffmann Improve Family Child Care Ratios and Group Sizes When child care providers and caregivers are able to focus attention on each baby or toddler in their care, it is easier for them to monitor safety, attend to individual physical needs, and promote child well being. All babies and toddlers in child care need healthy and safe environments in which to explore and learn. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states ensure that no more than two children under age 2 be cared for by a family child care provider at one time, and that group size not exceed six children (including all children related to the provider). This document presents research supporting the recommendation to improve family child care ratios and group sizes.
Aug 25, 2008 | Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth Hoffmann Promote Continuity of Care Strong attachment relationships between babies and toddlers and the adults who care for them are critical to early brain development. All babies and toddlers in child care need nurturing, responsive providers and caregivers they can trust to care for them as they grow and learn. To support this goal, CLASP recommends that states provide information and supports for providers and caregivers to develop nurturing, responsive, and continuous relationships with children from when they enter child care to age three. This document presents research supporting the recommendation to promote continuity of care.
Aug 14, 2008 | Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth DiLauro (ZERO TO THREE) Illinois: Building on Early Head Start, IL Child Care Collaboration Program This fact sheet presents information on a state initiative designed to build on and increase the availability of Early Head Start programs, including data on funding and supports, governance and coordination, program design, and monitoring and evaluation.
Aug 14, 2008 | Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth DiLauro (ZERO TO THREE) Iowa: Early Head Start Pilot Project to Expand the Home-Based Model to Child Care Providers This fact sheet presents information on a state initiative designed to build on and increase the availability of Early Head Start programs, including data on funding and supports, governance and coordination, program design, and monitoring and evaluation.
Aug 14, 2008 | Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth DiLauro (ZERO TO THREE) Kansas: KS Early Head Start This fact sheet presents information on a state initiative designed to build on and increase the availability of Early Head Start programs, including data on funding and supports, governance and coordination, program design, and monitoring and evaluation.
Aug 14, 2008 | Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth DiLauro (ZERO TO THREE) Maine: Early Head Start Supplemental Funding and Extend the Day Initiatives This fact sheet presents information on a state initiative designed to build on and increase the availability of Early Head Start programs, including data on funding and supports, governance and coordination, program design, and monitoring and evaluation.
Aug 14, 2008 | Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth DiLauro (ZERO TO THREE) Maryland: Early Head Start Supplemental Funding and Extend the Day Initiatives This fact sheet presents information on a state initiative designed to build on and increase the availability of Early Head Start programs, including data on funding and supports, governance and coordination, program design, and monitoring and evaluation.
Aug 14, 2008 | Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth DiLauro (ZERO TO THREE) Minnesota: Early Head Start Supplemental Funding This fact sheet presents information on a state initiative designed to build on and increase the availability of Early Head Start programs, including data on funding and supports, governance and coordination, program design, and monitoring and evaluation.
Aug 14, 2008 | Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth DiLauro (ZERO TO THREE) Missouri: Early Head Start/Child Care Partnership Project This fact sheet presents information on a state initiative designed to build on and increase the availability of Early Head Start programs, including data on funding and supports, governance and coordination, program design, and monitoring and evaluation.
Aug 14, 2008 | Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth DiLauro (ZERO TO THREE) Nebraska: Early Head Start Infant/Toddler Quality Initiative This fact sheet presents information on a state initiative designed to build on and increase the availability of Early Head Start programs, including data on funding and supports, governance and coordination, program design, and monitoring and evaluation.
Aug 14, 2008 | Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth DiLauro (ZERO TO THREE) Oklahoma: Building on Early Head Start, Pilot Early Childhood Program This fact sheet presents information on a state initiative designed to build on and increase the availability of Early Head Start programs, including data on funding and supports, governance and coordination, program design, and monitoring and evaluation.
Aug 14, 2008 | Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth DiLauro (ZERO TO THREE) Vermont: Building on Early Head Start, Child Care Subsidy Reserved Spaces Agreement This fact sheet presents information on a state initiative designed to build on and increase the availability of Early Head Start programs, including data on funding and supports, governance and coordination, program design, and monitoring and evaluation.
Jul 30, 2008 | Hannah Matthews and Rachel Schumacher Ensuring Quality Care for Low-Income Babies: Contracting Directly with Providers to Expand and Improve Infant and Toddler Care The supply of high-quality infant and toddler child care is limited, particularly for low-income families. While most states provide child care assistance through vouchers or certificates, states have the option of contracting directly with providers to expand infant/toddler care for low-income families. Based on interviews with state policymakers, this paper explains how states are using contracts to create or stabilize care in particular communities or for specific populations; to create child care slots meeting quality standards important for infants and toddlers; to extend the day for infants and toddlers served in Early Head Start; and to improve the quality of infant/toddler family child care.
Apr 25, 2008 | Rachel Schumacher and Elizabeth DiLauro (ZERO TO THREE) Building on the Promise: State Initiatives to Expand Access to Early Head Start for Young Children and Their Families This report from CLASP and ZERO TO THREE examines actions states have taken to enhance Early Head Start (EHS). Less than 3 percent of babies and toddlers who are eligible for EHS are reached at current federal funding levels. Twenty states use at least one of four main approaches: 1) Extending the day or year of existing EHS services, 2) Expanding the capacity of existing EHS and Head Start programs to increase the number of children and pregnant women served, 3) Providing resources and assistance to child care providers to help them deliver services meeting EHS standards, and 4) Supporting partnerships between EHS and center-based and family child care providers to improve the quality of care. The report also analyzes opportunities and challenges facing state policymakers and provides recommendations for state leaders interested in promoting better futures for at-risk children through building on Early Head Start. CLASP and ZERO TO THREE have also prepared state profiles detailing the approaches of Kansas and Iowa to expanding Early Head Start.
Jan 09, 2008 | by Elizabeth Hoffmann and Danielle Ewen Supporting Families, Nurturing Young Children: Early Head Start Programs in 2006 This policy brief analyzes the 2006 Program Information Reports (PIR) data for the Early Head Start program, which serves children under age 3 and pregnant women. In 2006, Early Head Start supported families with working parents from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds through a broad range of services, including medical, dental, and mental health services. Since 2004, more Early Head Start children and pregnant women received dental exams; more pregnant women had health insurance; and more pregnant women received mental health services. As in previous years, teacher education levels increased, but salaries remained stagnant. Also, more Early Head Start children are in informal care outside program hours.
Jan 09, 2008 | Rachel Schumacher, Elizabeth Hoffmann, and Anne Goldstein (ZERO TO THREE) Policy Framework: Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care This policy framework sets forth four key principles that establish the foundation of supports that all babies and toddlers in child care need, as well as 15 recommendations that state child care licensing, subsidy, and quality enhancement policies should address.
Jun 08, 2007 | Anne Goldstein (on behalf of ZERO TO THREE), Katie Hamm, and Rachel Schumacher Supporting Growth and Development of Babies in Child Care: What Does the Research Say? This brief outlines research to make the case that state policies can promote the quality and continuity of early childhood experiences and positively impact the healthy growth and development of babies and toddlers in child care--the central tenet of the Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project, conducted by CLASP with ZERO TO THREE. The majority of infants and toddlers will spend some time in non-parental care during these early years; and research shows that secure relationships with parents and caregivers are of primary importance for cognitive, social, and emotional development. The project will highlight how state child care subsidy, licensing, and quality enhancement policies can increase the odds that vulnerable babies and toddlers have positive early learning and development experiences when in child care settings.
Mar 08, 2007 | Child Care and Early Education Arkansas: Framework for Infant and Toddler Care The Arkansas Framework for Infant and Toddler Care promotes high standards for programs and guidelines for early learning for infants and toddlers. This state example was originally written as part of Starting Off Right: Promoting Child Development from Birth in State Early Care and Education Initiatives and updated for the Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
Mar 08, 2007 | Child Care and Early Education Connecticut: Early Childhood Consultation Partnership The Early Childhood Consultation Partnership uses consultants to provide mental health and behavioral health consultations in child care centers for an individual child or to help improve the socio-emotional environment of the whole classroom. This state example was originally written as part of Starting Off Right: Promoting Child Development from Birth in State Early Care and Education Initiatives and updated for the Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
Mar 08, 2007 | Child Care and Early Education North Carolina: T.E.A.C.H. & WAGE$ The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Project and the Child Care WAGE$ Project use scholarship, bonus, and wage enhancement strategies to promote compensation and benefits, including for infant/toddler teachers. This state example was originally written as part of Starting Off Right: Promoting Child Development from Birth in State Early Care and Education Initiatives and updated for the Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
Mar 08, 2007 | Child Care and Early Education Wisconsin: Infant and Toddler Professional Credential The Wisconsin Infant Toddler Professional Credential promotes a strong workforce and supported caregivers for infants and toddlers. This state example was originally written as part of Starting Off Right: Promoting Child Development from Birth in State Early Care and Education Initiatives and updated for the Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project.
Aug 03, 2006 | Rachel Schumacher, Katie Hamm, Anne Goldstein, and Joan Lombardi Starting Off Right: Promoting Child Development From Birth In State Early Care And Education Initiatives State early care and education policies that start at birth and address the full range of children's development can potentially identify health and developmental issues, link families to necessary supports, and assure that those who care for infants and toddlers have the tools to stimulate early learning and development and ease transitions into the preschool and elementary years. This paper describes a menu of state strategies to improve early care and education for infants and toddlers, and supports to their families, including: examples of specific policies to promote child development birth to 3, as well as ideas for state funding and governance structures that provide attention and resources for all children birth to age 5.