No Experience

            Nursery schools and Preschools are privately funded institutions that provide early developmental support to children from birth to age 3.  Some programs may accept children up to age 5, based on their location and the availability of other childcare options around them.  These businesses are tuition based, meaning families must be able to afford sending their children to these centers without outside financial support.  Transportation services are usually not offered, unless it is paid for by families.  Such centers focus on the same developmental areas as other early childhood programs, including emotional, physical, social, and language development.  Most nursery schools and preschools follow the same state and federal educational standards written for all childcare professionals.

Fall 2009 – 5 hours at Ithaca Community Childcare Center for ECE 334

            Like nursery schools and preschools, licensed childcare centers are mainly tuition based and largely rely on monies from its patrons to operate.  The big difference is that these centers are registered with the state and follow strict guidelines from the New York State Office of Family and Children Services (NYSOFCS).  While these guidelines do mean more record keeping and paperwork for these centers, they also provide standards that ensure the highest quality care for children across New York.  Educators and caregivers at licensed centers are trained with either a bachelors or masters in education.  Children are cared for in developmentally appropriate ways and all involved can be confident in the quality of these centers.

See “Experiences With ECE Age Levels” for a description of my time here.

No Experience

            A registered family childcare home is a small-scale childcare setting located in the proprietor’s own house.  These facilities can care for 3-6 children under school age, plus 2 school age children.  New York State law requires one provider for every 6 children if all are above age 2, and a ratio of 5:1 if at least one child is under age 2.  Services include general childcare.  Additional developmental support may be offered if the owner/operator feels they or another certified provider can give the services needed.  Childcare in a home is tuition based, and must follow a long list of regulations drafted by the NYSOFCS.  Providers must be minimally trained in child development, and many retired teachers start up family childcare homes as a source of income.

No Experience

            Group family childcare homes are nearly identical to other childcare homes.  This category of early childhood program is separated because they can serve 7-12 children under school age, plus 2 that are school age.  Providers’ own children can be enrolled in these programs, and the daily structure is more similar to a school day than an open-ended daycare.  Services include structured lessons in several of the standard school subjects, childcare, and additional services if needed.  Meals are typically provided and NYSOFCS regulations are consistently upheld

Spring 2010 – 32.5 Hours with Ithaca Head Start Family Liaison for Service Learning Project in ECE 333  

            During my service-learning internship, I focused on one of Ithaca’s combined pre-kindergarten and Headstart rooms.  Based on family income, about half of the class’ 16 children are registered as Headstart participants.  This means their schooling is funded by federal money in addition to the standard state funding.  Families of Headstart children are periodically visited by the district’s family liaison, responsible for maintaining quality family involvement in a child’s education.  As a large part of my internship, I followed Ithaca’s family liaison on several home visits, gaining insight into a side of education to which I had never previously been introduced.  I saw the needs of lower-income families who are well served by Headstart and gained an appreciation for what this program can and does offer.

Spring 2010 – 75.5 Hours at Beverly J. Martin Elementary for ECE 332

            New York State Pre-Kindergarten (pre-k) programs are generally located in school buildings, community centers, or other public facilities.  Regardless of location, all of these programs are overseen by the New York Education Department and follow the general expectations of other public school grades.  Pre-k serves children aged 3-5 and uses developmentally appropriate practices to support physical, emotional, and social development.  Funding is provided through local tax dollars and, at a management level, these classes are run like any other public school.  Special services like speech, physical and occupational therapy, and special education are provided on a case-by-case basis according to children’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP).    

BJM Afterschool Program, Various summer camps (Not for field hours, undocumented)

            School age childcare programs are legally the only centers that can provide care for children outside of school hours.  This includes after school, on holidays, and during summer vacation.  In these programs, all of which are registered with the NYSOCFS, a focus is placed on helping children learn through exploration.  These programs serve school age children and are funded through a combination of tuitions and government support.  Extra services may be provided depending on the need and other offerings nearby.