1.3.2.5: Additional Qualifications for Caregivers/Teachers Serving Children Three to Five Years of Age

Caregivers/teachers should demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge and understanding of the following to children three to five years of age within the program setting:

1. Typical and atypical development of three- to five-year-old children;
2. Social and emotional development of children, including children’s development of independence, their ability to adapt to their environment and cope with stress, problem solve and engage in conflict resolution, and successfully establish friendships;
3. Cognitive, language, early literacy, scientific inquiry, and mathematics development of children;
4. Cultural backgrounds of the children in the facility’s care;
5. Talking to parents/guardians about observations and concerns and referrals to parents/guardians;
6. Changing needs of populations served, e.g., culture, income, etc.

To help manage atypical or undesirable behaviors of children three to five years of age, caregivers/teachers serving this age group should seek professional consultation, in collaboration with parents/guardians, from the child’s primary care provider, a mental health professional, a child care health consultant, or an early childhood mental health consultant.

RATIONALE

Three- and four-year-old children continue to depend on the affection, physical care, intellectual guidance, and emotional support of their caregivers/teachers (1,2).

A supportive, nurturing setting that supports a demonstration of feelings and accepts regression as part of development continues to be vital for preschool children. Preschool children need help building a positive self-image, a sense of self as a person of value from a family and a culture of which they are proud. Children should be enabled to view themselves as coping, problem-solving, competent, passionate, expressive, and socially connected to peers and staff (3).

TYPE OF FACILITY

Center, Head Start, Large Family Child Care Home, Small Family Child Care Home

RELATED STANDARDS

1.3.1.1 General Qualifications of Directors
1.3.1.2 Mixed Director/Teacher Role
1.3.2.1 Differentiated Roles
1.3.2.2 Qualifications of Lead Teachers and Teachers
1.3.2.3 Qualifications for Assistant Teachers, Teacher Aides, and Volunteers
1.4.2.1 Initial Orientation of All Staff
1.4.2.2 Orientation for Care of Children with Special Health Care Needs
1.4.2.3 Orientation Topics
1.4.3.1 First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training for Staff
1.4.3.2 Topics Covered in Pediatric First Aid Training
1.4.3.3 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training for Swimming and Water Play
1.4.4.1 Continuing Education for Directors and Caregivers/Teachers in Centers and Large Family Child Care Homes
1.4.4.2 Continuing Education for Small Family Child Care Home Caregivers/Teachers
1.4.5.1 Training of Staff Who Handle Food
1.4.5.2 Child Abuse and Neglect Education
1.4.5.3 Training on Occupational Risk Related to Handling Body Fluids
1.4.5.4 Education of Center Staff
1.4.6.1 Training Time and Professional Development Leave
1.4.6.2 Payment for Continuing Education

REFERENCES

1. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Early Child Care Research Network. 1999. Child outcomes when child center classes meet recommended standards for quality. Am J Public Health 89:1072-77.
2. Shore, R. 1997. Rethinking the brain: New insights into early development. New York: Families and Work Inst.
3. Fiene, R. 2002. 13 indicators of quality child care: Research update. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. http://aspe.hhs.gov/basic-report/13-indicators-quality-child-care.