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Child care credentials: What and why

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Abstract

As the child care field clarifies its identity, credentialing is emerging as a significant issue addressed by many segments of the field. Certification, registration, accreditation, and licensing are defined. Specific credentialing efforts underway are described. Finally, the following issues are discussed: the agency credential vs. the individual credential, the dilemma of the individual credential, the design of a credential, and functional considerations. The arguments conclude that individual credentials may substantially enhance the state of the child care field.

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This paper was partially supported by the Conference-Research Sequence in Child Care Education, Grant #5 T24 MH 15869-02, awarded by the National Institute of Mental Health.

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Mattingly, M.A. Child care credentials: What and why. Child Youth Care Forum 11, 122–137 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01118982

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