What Is Quality Childcare?

Kathleen McCartney, a researcher at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, points to the following key attributes that define high-quality care:

Children learn best when they:

• Interact with others, both children and adults.


• Work actively with material.


• Are given opportunities to learn through meaningful and interesting activities.


• Are able to work at their own development level.


• Are able to predict routines and experiences.

Caregivers teach best when they:


• Respect children’s developmental needs, characteristics and cultures.


• Are sensitive and responsive to children.


• Develop trusting relationships with children.


• Empathize with children.


• Accommodate practices for children with special needs.


• Are unified with other caregivers in their responses to and treatment of children.


• Value and acknowledge children’s expression of affect, both positive and negative.


• Set realistic limits for children without shame or blame.


• Care for ill children by offering emotional support as well as attending to their physical needs.

Centers should have a:


• State-approved license and NAEYC accreditation.


• Educated teaching staff.


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