Serving Preschool Children

Abstract: Following the principle that a good daycare setting has all the qualities of a good home, the realities of operating, budgeting, and fulfilling the legal requirements of a day care center for 3 to 6 year olds are discussed. There are 5 types of day care centers: custodial day care, nursery schools, developmental day care, comprehensive child development programs and compensatory education. Each aims to be an extension of the family and an aid to child development. The necessary indoor and outdoor facilities as well as parent involvement and curriculum planning for these centers are explored. Additionally, the health, psychosocial and nutritional services of day care centers are examined. Finally, program evaluation is covered, and several model curricula, exemplary centers and exemplary networks in areas such as rural Kentucky and Houston are discussed.