Association Between Early Care and Education Teacher Characteristics and Observed Classroom Processes: Strengthening the Diversity and Quality of the Early Care and Education Workforce Paper Series 

Johnson, A., Partika, A., Schochet, O., and Castle, S. Urban Institute (October 2019) 

Background: Early Care and Education (ECE) providers play an important role in helping children learn, grow and successfully transition to elementary school. However, when ECE providers are experiencing high levels of stress and financial insecurity, it can affect the overall quality of care they provide. This study looks at whether workforce supports such as paid leave and a sense of teamwork, and teacher experiences, like exposure to trauma or financial stress, impact teacher-child interactions.  

The problem

Lead is unsafe to consume, inhale, or absorb at any level. Yet lead-based paint is common in homes built before 1978 and a home’s drinking water or soil can be contaminated with lead. How can home-based providers protect themselves and the children in their care? 

This is a free online course from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on managing infectious diseases in group care settings. The course is approved for 1.0 contact hours of training credit.  As described by AAP, the topic is important because millions of children attend early care and education settings every day. During the first 2 years of attendance, children enrolled in group settings experience a higher incidence of illnesses. When children are sick and excluded from an early care setting, it causes significant public health and economic impact. It is essential for child care settings to provide healthy and safe environments to ensure appropriate child development and learning.  

At Child Care Aware® of America, we believe that all children deserve clean air, clean water, safe food and products, and healthy places to live, learn and play. That’s why we’re partnering with the Children’s Environmental Health Network and dozens of partners around the country to celebrate Children’s Environmental Health Day today. Alongside our partners, we’re using this day to raise awareness of children’s health issues, celebrate successes, share exciting new initiatives and look ahead to challenges and opportunities for creating healthier spaces for children to live, learn and play.

Positive Childhood Experiences and Adult Mental and Relational Health in a Statewide Sample: Associations Across Adverse Childhood Experiences Levels 
Bethell, C., Jones, J., and Gombojav, N. JAMA Pediatrics (September 2019). 

Background: Past research has linked adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) – e.g., divorce, abuse, domestic violence – to greater risks for poor mental health and fewer supportive relationships in adulthood. This study looks at whether positive childhood experiences (PCEs) such as a sense of belonging at school, or feeling safe and protected by an adult at home are linked with better mental health in adulthood and whether PCEs can reduce some of the negative effects of ACEs. 

The problem

Keeping young children safe is a priority for child care providers. But safety practices vary, depending on a child’s age and developmental stage. Keeping an infant safe can be very different than keeping a toddler safe.