A practical startup guide for anyone opening a child care program. Covers planning basics, policies, staffing, budgeting, and key steps to move from idea to operating—helpful for both center-base... Read more
This quick-reference chart breaks down Maryland child care center staffing requirements in an easy-to-scan format. It’s especially helpful for directors and hiring teams because it summarizes com... Read more
A practical guide that helps teachers and child care staff plan safer field trips for children with food allergies. It includes easy planning steps like checking the destination, communicating with... Read more
A practical, easy-to-follow tip sheet for early educators introducing solid foods safely in child care settings. In early care and education settings, introduce solid foods when infants show develo... Read more
Week of the Young Child activities celebrate young children's learning and development through play-based, hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and creativity. Popular activities include art p... Read more
If you have no childcare experience, emphasize transferable skills like patience, communication, reliability, and any informal experience (babysitting, tutoring, volunteering) when applying for ent... Read more
Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter in children’s developing brains that helps regulate reward, motivation, attention, and motor control. Proper dopamine signaling supports learning, goal-directed... Read more
The child care workforce requires clearly defined qualifications such as minimum education levels, background checks, CPR/first aid and early childhood credentials or state licensing to ensure care... Read more
Safe #sleep practices and #swaddling are essential for ensuring the #safety and well-being of #infants and #toddlers. It is recommended to place infants on their backs to sleep in a crib or bassine... Read more
Daycares can support children with special needs by creating inclusive communication environments that use predictable routines, visual supports, and clear, simplified language. Implementing augmen... Read more
Effective behavior support in daycare for children with special needs uses individualized, proactive plans that focus on understanding the purpose of behaviors and teaching replacement skills. Cons... Read more
Daycares can support children with special needs by creating inclusive routines, adapting activities, and using visual supports so each child can participate at their own pace. Trained staff, stron... Read more
Create an inclusive environment by training staff in disability awareness, using predictable routines and visual supports, and arranging the space with sensory-friendly areas and accessible materia... Read more
Fostering healthy social and emotional development in young children begins with warm, responsive relationships that provide consistent routines, clear boundaries, and a sense of safety. Caregivers... Read more
The Child Care Infant and Children Weekly Meal/Menu Planner Template provides a structured weekly layout to plan nutritious breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and bottle/breastfeeding schedules for infan... Read more
The Parent Handout: Supporting Learning at Home offers practical, easy-to-implement strategies parents can use daily—such as setting routines, creating a quiet workspace, and encouraging regular ... Read more
On MLK Day, children can create a "dream" collage or kindness pledge cards inspired by Dr. King's message of equality and nonviolence. While making the projects, read a short age-appropriate story ... Read more
In our classroom, kid culture celebrates diversity and encourages every student to share their unique background and ideas. We practice respect, active listening, and kindness so everyone feels saf... Read more
The Child Physical Activity Checklist is a tool used to assess the physical activity levels of children. It includes questions about activities such as walking, running, and playing sports. The che... Read more
The Environmental Adaptations Checklist is a tool used to evaluate and promote child participation in various settings. By identifying potential barriers and modifying the physical environments, th... Read more
The New York Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that provides funding to child and adult care centers in New York to serve nutritious meals and snacks to eligible partic... Read more
The Safe Sleep in Child Care poster provides essential information and guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of infants during naptime or bedtime in child care settings. It emphasizes the ... Read more
An Emergency Preparedness Plan for Child Care Providers and Child Care Centers is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of children during unexpected situations, such as natural disasters o... Read more
Hazard mapping for early care and education programs is a proactive approach to identifying potential risks and hazards within the environment where children learn and play. By conducting a hazard ... Read more