What constitutes quality child care?
Research defines ten essential components that produce meaningful outcomes for the young children they serve. Child care programs that endeavor to improve often begin with tangible changes to physical layouts, equipment, and materials. Because young children learn best in secure relationships, programs must promote nurturing care and strong relationships between children, caregivers, and families. The best programs commit to participating in continuous quality improvement.
An overview of each of the 10 Components of Quality and what constitutes quality child care.
- Safe & Healthy Program Practices
- Staff Well Trained
- Environments for Learning
- Small Groups with Optimal Ratios
- Primary Caregiving & Continuity Care
- Active &Responsive Caregiving
- Curriculum and Individualization
- Emerging Language & Literacy
- Family Engagement & Cultural Continuity
- Comprehensive Support Services
This document includes a description of the research foundation, a shared vision of the need for system with quality measures for infant toddler care, and potential uses for this tool that includes a model for continuous quality improvement.
Research defines ten essential components that produce meaningful outcomes for the young children they serve. Child care programs that endeavor to improve often begin with tangible changes to physical layouts, equipment, and materials. Because young children learn best in secure relationships, programs must promote nurturing care and strong relationships between children, caregivers, and families. The best programs commit to participating in continuous quality improvement.
Currently available only in PDF format, digital coming soon.
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See how each of the 10 Components aligns with the related Head Start Performance Standards.
The Ten Components can strengthen the ChildCare initiative in your teen Parent Program