2003

The Snapshot is a time sampling observation instrument designed to describe children’s exposure to instruction and engagement in academic activities as well as to describe activities and adult responsive involvement. The Snapshot’s unique contributions to previous observational instruments are in the teacher engagement of the children and children’s engagement with academic activities sections.

TheSnapshot-TemplateCodebook.pdf

An analysis of the child care subsidy system in Anoka, Becker, Brown, and Hennepin Counties, MN, to determine the impact of tiered reimbursement on the availability of and access to higher quality child care.

A compilation of articles discussing rating systems and quality scales for child care and early education.

This Brief uses data to inform development of a statewide child care rating system, which could build on basic licensing standards to assist parents in selecting quality child care.

This report has three main findings: Child care quality has increased in the study sample during the Smart Start years; Smart Start-funded activities were positively related to classroom quality; and quality was positively related to children's outcomes.

A guide to developing, implementing, and evaluating a child care quality initiative involving the collection and dissemination of child care quality indicator information to parents.

A summary of an assessment of the quality of child care facilities voluntarily seeking the highest ratings in the North Carolina Rated License program.

This strategic plan presents three recommendations for building a skilled and stable out-of-school time workforce: (1) determine a national set of standards for out-of-school time workers and create training, career development opportunities, and a set of compensation benchmarks; (2) unite stakeholders at local, State, and national levels to advocate for the resources necessary to support high quality programs and a skilled and stable workforce; and (3) build on and replicate successful models like the U.S. Military Child and Youth Care System.

This interim report presents 2002-2003 evaluation data for the KIDS NOW Initiative in Kentucky. Data indicate that center-based child care programs in Kentucky are improving in quality. Preschool centers that are more familiar with STARS for KIDS NOW and have more educated teachers tend to have higher quality classrooms. Enhanced efforts to promote the KIDS NOW Initiative have increased familiarity with the program. Urban and rural differences exist in the way child care providers participate in and perceive the benefits of the Initiative.

This executive summary describes quality differences between child care centers from various levels of the "Reaching for the Stars" program in Oklahoma. Differences in centers by Star category are described on a variety of commonly used measures of child care quality. Data sources include: director interviews, teacher and director surveys, and classroom observations. The increased financial support provided by the Department of Human Services (DHS) to centers with higher Star ratings is a common motivator to participate in the Stars program.