Author Description

In eight very brief sections, this booklet for beginning or prospective child caregivers provides a basic orientation to essential elements of out-of-home child care services. Child care programs, nursery schools, kindergartens, and the Head Start program are described and 10 features of a good program for young children are specified. Cooperation between home and school and ways to involve parents are discussed. Subsequent sections indicate the range of program providers, including individuals, agencies, and businesses; list basic qualifications of teacher/caregivers; point out three ways programs for young childen are financed; and describe various program locations. The concluding section discusses licenses required for child care programs and areas of program operation usually regulated by law. (RH)