Karen DeBord

The Effects of Training on the Quality of Family Child Care for Those Associated with and Not Associated with Professional Child Care Organizations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether training differentially affected family child care providers who were and who were not members of professional child care associations. Twenty-two providers participated in a three-month child care training program. Observers rated the quality of provider child care before and after the training. Results indicated that those who were not members of family child care organizations were rated as significantly improved after training, but those who were members of family child care associations were not.

The Interface of Family, School, and Community Factors for the Positive Development of Children and Youth

In this issue, we examine the application of the ecological elements of family, school, and community on the developmental outcomes of children and youth. Five empirical articles then provide insight into the interaction of individual development, intelligence, and risk with contextual factors such as involvement, expectations, relationships, peers, and community. We conclude that individual child and youth outcomes are powerfully influenced by family involvement at a young age, but as age increases, this involvement becomes less salient. In youth considered “high risk,” family and community protective factors were not able to significantly improve child outcomes. We specifically recommend that practitioners target interventions for high risk audiences that are guided by assessments of the childs developmental and risk profiles.

The Fabric of Quality Child Care: Weaving Together a Professional Development System

Many states are beginning to coordinate services and programs to assure that a professional development system is in place to serve teachers in the field of early care and education. One state that adopted a systematic philosophy is North Carolina. In reflecting on the past 10 years, recommendations and practices can be shared with other states initiating similar systems.