FROM SCIENCE TO POLICY: RESEARCH ON ISSUES,

PROGRAMS, AND POLICIES IN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION

 

Executive Summary

 

Prologue

 

Chapter I

The Case for Quality: What is Quality and Why it Matters

 

Chapter II: Services that Work – Birth to Three

·       Parenting Education: Programs that Provide Knowledge and Skill Development for Parents of Children Birth to Five Years

• Infant Care: Practices and Limitations of Quality Programs for Infants and Toddlers
• Family-Based Intensive Services: Home Visiting and Parent Support Programs that Start in the First Three Years

 

Chapter III: Services that Work – Three to Five

·       Public Programs and Services: Publicly-Funded Programs and Services for Low-Income Families and Their Benefits for Children

·       School Readiness: The Definition of Readiness and How to Promote It

·       Transitions into Kindergarten: Practices that Ease Transitions between Care and Various Stages of Early Education Programs

·       Home-Based and Family Child Care: Characteristics and Issues of Home and Family Child Care

·       Demonstration Programs: Model Programs that Document Positive Outcomes for Children from Low-Income Neighborhoods

 

Chapter IV: Services that Work – Six to Eight

·       Non-School Hour Services: Programs that Promote Academic and Behavioral Achievement

·       Follow-On Services: Programs that Extend the Benefits of Early Care and Education Services

 

Chapter V: Early Intervention: Practices that Help Children with and At Risk for Delays

 

Chapter VI: Systems for Professional Development

• In Early Care and Education: Issues in Personnel Preparation

 

Chapter VII: Economic Issues

• Barriers to Child Care Subsidies: Why Subsidies are Often Not Used
• Costs and Benefits: Investments and Returns

 

Chapter VIII: Policy Issues

• Fathers and Public Policy: Recent Policies Promoting Responsible Fatherhood
• Early Education and Employers’ Practice: Policy Issues in Pennsylvania