Nurturing and teaching young children, those who are five years old and younger, is the job of the Child Development specialist. Usually found in childcare centers, nursery schools, preschools, and family childcare homes, these workers play an important role in a child's development by caring for the child when the parents are at work or away for other reasons.
Preschool teachers and child-care workers must work in two different worlds--the child's and the parent's. At the same time that they create a safe, comfortable environment in which children can grow and learn, they must also keep records of each child's progress and try to involve the parents to increase their child's learning and development at home. Some preschools and daycare centers actively recruit parent volunteers to work with the children and participate in administrative decisions and program planning.
Helping to keep children healthy is an important part of the job. Preschool teachers and child-care workers serve nutritious meals and snacks, teach good eating habits and personal hygienics. They see to it that children have proper rest periods. They spot children who may not feel well or show signs of emotional or developmental problems and discuss these matters with their supervisor and the child's parents.
National Association for the Education of Young Children
1509 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
www.naeyc.org/
Council For Professional Recognition
2460 16th Street, NW
Washington DC 20009-3575
www.cdacouncil.org/
Head Start
330 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20447
www2.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/hsb/
The Center for the Child Care Workforce
733 15th Street, NW Suite 1037
Washington, DC 20005-2112
www.ccw.org/home/
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