Choosing A Good Early Childhood Education Program For You And Your Toddler

Good early childhood education programs creategroups of 2 or 3 children. Teacher caregivers sing,
and offer on a day to day basis a partnershipdo finger plays and act out stories with children.o
between your family and their teacher caregivers.Sturdy picture books that show different cultural
Finding a loving, caring place for your exploringand racial groups, various types of families and
toddler may take sometime so be sure to startdifferent ages.o Toddlers encouraged to do
early and give yourself an opportunity to visiteveryday tasks such as eating, dressing
several programs.themselves, toileting, washing hands. With
First, look for early childhood education programsopportunities and support toddlers will be learning
licensed with either the Department of Health ornew skills and better control of their behavior.o
the Department of Education in your state.Teacher caregivers follow proper health and
Licensed programs must meet certain criteria forsafety procedures to include hand washing and
the health, safety and education of young children.universal precautions. Written procedures are
Requirements vary from state to state. Call theposted in designated areas in the classroom.o
Department of Health or the Department ofTeacher caregivers directly supervise all children
Education and they can give you a list of licensedby sight and sound, even at nap time.o Teacher
programs in your area.caregivers provide curriculum so that toddlers
Second, make phone calls, ask questions andhave a variety of activities that include
schedule a tour. To learn what is available yoularge-muscle play indoors and outdoors. Check to
may want to visit center based programs, homesee that play equipment is safe. Equipment should
based programs and even interview nannies tobe challenging for toddlers and separate from
work in your home. Talk with other parents whoolder children. Teacher child ratios should be
already have their child enrolled in a program youmaintained the same outside as they are in the
are interested in. Choosing an early childhoodclassroom.o Caring and responsive teacher
education program for your toddler is a verycaregivers with training and or an early childhood
important and personal choice.education specific to the toddler age.
Third, visit several programs. Go prepared with aFourth, you want to feel that you are always
written list of questions. What you want to seewelcome in your child's early childhood education
as you visit early childhood education programscenter or home and can arrive at any time
are small group sizes. The National Association forunannounced. Teacher caregivers see parents as
the Education of Young Children recommendsthe primary source of love, affection and care of
maximum group size of 12 toddlers, with 1their child. Teacher caregivers support parents and
teacher caregiver for no more than 6 toddlerswork to build a healthy professional relationship
(preferably fewer i.e. State of Connecticuttaking care of the whole family unit.
requires 1 teacher caregiver for every 4 toddlersFifth, toddlers are explorers and are very
and maximum group size is 8 toddlers). Thisinquisitive about their world. They are always on
allows for a high level of supervision that toddlersthe move looking for new and exciting activities
require. Your state agency requirements mayand sights. Sometimes this appears to be a
have different ratios.discipline problem however you may find that this
In your toddler's early childhood educationis a toddler's challenge to understand how he/she
program you want to see:o Toddlers have afits into the world.
primary teacher caregiver so they can develop aFinally, toddlers learn best through play,
strong relationship together. Your toddler's teacherinvestigation, exploration, observation and going at
caregiver comes to know your toddlers individualtheir own pace. Between the ages of 1 -3 years
personality, needs and cues and builds a strongso many exciting developments occur. You want
positive communication with you.o Caregivers whoto offer your toddler an early childhood education
are positive and praise toddlers for theirenvironment that gives him/her a chance to take
accomplishments. Toddlers then become more inpart in meaningful activities either alone or in a
control of themselves and positive.o Teachersmall group. This gives your toddler an opportunity
caregivers promptly respond to toddler's cries orto make choices and practice his/her social skills
other signs of frustration because they realizeby sharing and getting along with others. They like
toddlers do not yet have the language skills toto pretend to do what you do, dress up like
communicate their needs.o Teacher caregiversmommy or daddy, scribble with crayons, read
are good role models by treating others kindlypicture books, stack blocks, kick balls, eat with a
and with respect. As language development buildsspoon and fork, string beads, do puzzles and the
teacher caregivers encourage toddlers to uselist goes on.
their words to resolve differences.o TeacherA high quality early childhood education program
caregivers smile, use pleasant voice tones, giveworks with you the parents. This provides your
hugs and pats on back, and hold toddlers in lapchild with the learning activities he/she needs to
throughout the day.o Physical space and activitiesbecome an individual who feels good about
are age appropriate allowing children to explorethemselves, can sustain themselves and grow up
experiment and be actively involved in theirto be a productive member of society. Good
learning environment.o Teacher caregivers read tobeginnings never end!
children during the day 1 on 1 on adults lap or in