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Show Child care By DENNIS HINKAMP Consumer Information Writer Utah State University Child care is a growth industry and a seller's market In most areas of the country there are more families fami-lies who need child care than there are businesses to provide it. The National Academy of Early Childhood Programs is currently ' the only national organization accrediting ac-crediting child care programs according ac-cording to Dr. Shelly Lindauer, early childhood specialist in the Utah State University College of Family Life. She says since the accreditation process is new, the organization stresses that unaccredited facilities should not necessarily be considered con-sidered inferior. However, Lindauer suggests that at least knowing the guidelines can help you choose a child care center. She says the general requirements for accredited programs are: Frequent, positive, warm interactions among adults and children. chil-dren. Planned learning activities appropriate ap-propriate to children's age and development de-velopment such as block building, painting, stories, dress up and ac- " "" tive, outdoor play. Specially trained teachers. Enough adults to respond to individual in-dividual children's needs. Many varied age-appropriate materials.: A healthy, safe environment for children. . Nutritious meals andor snacks. Regular communications with parents who are welcome to visit at all times. ; - Lindauer ' says the accreditation requirements clearly outline the t qualifications of the child care staff . and the Staffchild tatios required for various age groups. " - 'I " An important component of the program should be communication between staff and parent, she says. This includes a written statement of ' philosophy of the school,, informa- . tion on the content of meals' and snacks and day-to-day progress reports re-ports when requested. 7 77 7 77 -Lindauer says there arc - thousands of requests for information informa-tion on accreditation, so it is just a , matter of tL-ne before the program 1 becomes more widcsiwad. She says she knows of one instance 'where the parents of the children in the chikl care center raised . the ? money themselves to help their center get accreditation. |