Caregiver Training and Classroom Quality in Child Care Centers
Authors:
- Margaret R. BurchinalMBMargaret R. Burchinal
- Debby CryerDCDebby Cryer
- Richard M. CliffordRCRichard M. Clifford
- Carollee HowesCHCarollee Howes
- 1 January 2002
- journal article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Applied Developmental Science
- Vol. 6 (1) , 2-11
Abstract
Previous studies consistently indicate that caregivers with more formal education in early childhood tend to provide higher quality child care. Caregiver training in these studies was characterized by the highest level of formal education that the caregiver achieved. Nevertheless, many caregivers continue to receive further training such as attending workshops or classes, even if they have obtained higher levels of formal education previously. In this study of 553 infant, toddler, and preschool-center classrooms, the association between classroom quality and both the highest level of formal education and whether the caregiver had attended training workshops at the center, in the community, or at professional meetings was examined. Results indicated that caregivers with formal education in early children or who attended workshops were rated as more sensitive in interactions with children and as providing higher quality care than other caregivers, even after adjusting for the caregivers' experience and diff...Keywords
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