Abstract
Some criteria of good child care are presented which were found by researchers. The number of children in class, the teacher–child ratio, the size and equipment of the classroom, the teachers' behavior, cooperation with parents, and the teachers' qualifications are stressed. It is also discussed whether the criteria of high quality child care are shared by teachers and parents. According to studies from Great Britain, Germany, and New Zealand, parents and kindergarten teachers have a sound understanding of good child care. However, there are differences in emphasis.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Blenkin, G. M., Hurst, V. M., Whitehead, M. R., & Yue, N. Y. L. (1995). Principles into practice: Improving the quality of children's early learning. Phase one report. London: Goldsmiths' College.
Braun, R. (1993). Eine gute kinderbetreuung. In B. Devivere, C. von Hentschel, and B. Irskens (Eds.); Forum kinderpolitik: Mindeststandards in der kinderbetreuung—qualität contra quantität? Frankfurt/Main: Deutscher Verein für Öffentliche und Private Fürsorge.
Clarke-Stewart, K. A. (in press). Qualität der kinderbetreuung in den Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika. In W. E. Fthenakis, & M. R. Textor, (Eds.), Qualität von kinderbetreuung: Deutsche und internationale perspektiven. Weinheim: Beltz.
Cost, Quality, and Outcomes Study Team (1995). Cost, quality, and child outcomes in child care centers: Key findings and recommendations. Young Children, 50(4), 40–44.
Dunn, L. (1993). Proximal and distal features of day care quality and children's development. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 8, 167–192.
Endsley, R. C., Minish, P. A., & Zhou, Q. (1993). Parent involvement and quality day care in proprietary centers. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 7(1), 53–61.
Farquhar, S.-E. (1991). Quality is in the eye of the beholder: The nature of early childhood centre quality. Dunedin: University of Otago.
Fthenakis, W. E., Nagel, B., Strätz, R., Sturzbecher, D., Eirich, H., & Mayr, T. (1996). Neue konzepte für kindertageseinrichtungen: Eine empirische studie zur situations—und problemdefinition der beteiligten interessengruppen. Endbericht Band 3, Teil A: Tabellarische Ergebnisdarstellung für die geschlossenen fragen. München: Staatsinstitut für Frühpädagogik.
Hayes, C. D., Palmer, J. L., & Zaslow, M. J. (1990). Who cares for America's children. Child care policy for the 1990s. By Panel on Child Care Policy, Committee on Child Development Research and Public Policy, Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, National Research Council. Washington: National Academy Press.
Howes, C., Phillips, D. A., & Whitebook, M. (1992). Thresholds of quality: Implications for the social development of children in center-based child care. Child Development, 63, 449–460.
Katz, L. G. (1992). Early childhood programs: Multiple perspectives on quality. Childhood Education, 69(2), 66–71.
Laevers, F. (in press). Qualität frühkindlicher erziehung: Was wir von Praxis und forschung in flandern lernen können. In W. E. Fthenakis, & M. R. Textor, (Eds.), Qualität von kinderbetreuung: Deutsche und internationale perspektiven. Weinheim: Beltz.
Marsh, C. (1995). Quality relationships and quality practice in the nursery school. International Journal of Early Years Education, 3(2), 29–39.
Podmore, V. N. (1993). Education and care. A review of international studies of the outcomes of early childhood experiences. Wellington: New Zealand Council for Educational Research.
Podmore, V. N. (1994). Early childhood education and care: A summary review of the outcomes of inadequate provision. Wellington: New Zealand Council for Educational Research.
Pramling, I. (In press). Die qualität der kinderbetreuung aus schwedischer sicht. In W. E. Fthenakis, & M. R. Textor, (Eds.), Qualität von kinderbetreuung: Deutsche und internationale perspektiven. Weinheim: Beltz.
Textor, M. R. (1996). Qualität von kindertageseinrichtungen—internationale forschungsergebnisse. In K. Schüttler-Janikulla (Ed.), Handbuch für erzieherInnen in krippe, kindergarten, vorschule und hort. 18th instalment. München: Mvg-verlag.
Tietze, W., Cryer, D., Bairrao, J., Palacios, J., & Wetzel, G. (1996). Comparisons of observed process quality in early child care and education programs in five countries. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 11, 447–475.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Textor, M.R. International Perspectives on Quality Child Care. Early Childhood Education Journal 25, 167–171 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025653127221
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025653127221