Child care supports every industry in our nation, but the current model simply isn't working. Child-care businesses are failing, early childhood professionals are not paid living wages, and expenses are rising. The primary funding source is families, but families cannot afford the true cost of child care. Does this mean that all early childhood programs must fold into the public school system? Will private child care soon be extinct?In Bridging Gaps: Implementing Public-Private Partnerships to Strengthen Early Education, author Sarah Taylor Vanover dispels the myths and explains the opportunities of a mixed-delivery system. Discover the benefits and challenges of child-care partnerships such as Early Head Start with private and family child-care settings and private child-care programs with state-funded preschools. Explore how to address credentialing, professional development, and implementing IDEA, and learn the differences between mixed delivery and universal pre-K.

Creating an inclusive early learning program can be a challenge for site leaders who lack knowledge about special-education laws, struggle to create policies and accommodations that meet the needs of all children, and find it difficult to support staff and collaborate with families and the community. With its step-by-step approach, real-life examples, and expert perspectives, Including All Children: Transitioning to an Inclusive Early Learning Program provides everything site leaders need to make their programs truly inclusive. You’ll learn how to draft a powerful vision and mission statement, navigate the legal landscape of special education, and create policies and accommodations that meet the needs of children with disabilities and their families. Gain a deeper understanding of special education laws. Learn how to create policies and accommodations that meet the needs of all children. Discover how to support staff and collaborate with families and the community. Create a truly inclusive environment that benefits every child. With personal perspectives from experts in the field, Including All Children offers a unique and insightful perspective on how to create a truly inclusive environment. Whether you’re a site leader, an educator, or a parent, this book is the ultimate resource for anyone who wants to make a real difference in the lives of children.

The child-care industry—essential to American families and to the American economy—is at risk of complete collapse. Before COVID-19 struck, the child-care industry faced funding issues and staffing dilemmas, while families struggled to find—or simply afford—quality child care. The reality is that COVID-19 has only exacerbated the challenges of the already-fragile child-care ecosystem. America’s Child-Care Crisis takes a hard look at the current state of the industry and explores how to save this critical service by:Identifying the systemic changes neededAltering public opinion of the fieldSecuring state and federal dollars for the private sectorPrioritizing the growth of family child-care homesEducating parents on quality care and helping them access itObtaining business supportChild-care is a system that is too critical to fail—we cannot survive without it. Together, we can reimagine the child-care industry for all Americans whose livelihoods depend on it.

Children are expected to read, write, count, and sit still at younger and younger ages. As these unrealistic expectations mount, family members and teachers alike continue to believe that these activities will prepare young children for school. But there is a better way-one that helps children build school readiness through developmentally appropriate activities. Best of all? The children can have fun!Building on Emergent Curriculum guides preschool teachers to tap into young children's natural inclination for play to build their skills, promote their development, and, ultimately, prepare them for elementary school. Learn:why traditional theme-based units don't work,what school readiness really looks like,how to recognize and capitalize on the many teachable moments that arise during play, andways to train teachers and involve families in emergent curriculum.Play and learning aren't mutually exclusive. Building on Emergent Curriculum will help readers give preschoolers a solid foundation for elementary school while they do what children do best: play!

Every child deserves a supportive, inclusive environment where they can thrive. Nurturing Neurodiversity: Creative Strategies for Engaging Young Learners is a must-have guide for early childhood educators looking to create classrooms that embrace neurodiversity and benefit all learners.Drawing on years of experience in early childhood education, Sarah Taylor Vanover, EdD, shares innovative ideas for using art and music, movement and dance, outdoor activities, calming and mindfulness, and sensory-friendly spaces to support young children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and other neurodivergent conditions. Discover how to:Foster an inclusive, welcoming classroom culture,Teach children self-advocacy skills,Use innovative tools to enhance learning and social engagement,Collaborate with families, andTrack progressWith this resource, you'll gain confidence in your ability to meet each child's unique needs while promoting an environment of empathy, understanding, and success.