State leaders are at the forefront of creating innovative early childhood care and learning systems around the country. The Child Care State Capacity Building Center (SCBC), one of the Office of Care’s Technical Assistance (TA) Centers, released a number of new resources this month that provide state leaders with early childhood technical assistance (TA) support. Specifically, the SCBC Infant/Toddler Specialist Network resources help support policies and practices to increase the supply of high-quality infant and toddler child care.
The SCBC Infant/Toddler Specialist Network, of the three SCBC networks, plays a critical role in helping state and territory lead agencies promote consistent coordination and implementation of high-quality infant and toddler programs across states and local communities.
New resources include:
- State and Territory Approaches to Improving the Supply and Quality of Child Care Programs and Services for Infants and Toddlers
- States and Territories can use this document to identify strengths and opportunities for infant/toddler child care quality improvement, to review other state and territory approaches to using their infant/toddler set-aside funds, and to learn about state and territory practices intended to improve the supply and quality of infant/toddler child care programs and services.
- Developing a Statewide Network of Infant/Toddler Specialists: Technical Assistance Guide for States and Territories
- The guide focuses on the development of statewide networks of infant/toddler specialists.
- Strengthening State and Territory Infant/Toddler Child Care System Policies and Practices: A Tool for Advancing Infant/Toddler Child Care Quality
- This tool assists infant/toddler stakeholders to support policies and practices for advancing Infant/Toddler child care quality.
- Six Essential Program Practices: Program for Infant/Toddler Care
- These papers promote evidence-based program practices that support infant/toddler care. Information shared in this series can be used to inform policy decisions and written guidance, for example, staff training materials and parent handbooks, to support high-quality responsive care practices for infants and toddlers.
Research shows us that when young children experience quality early care and learning they have better education, health, social and economic outcomes in life – increasing their productivity and reducing the need for spending later on. The SCBC’s resources once again play a critical role in helping state leaders enhance and implement high-quality early care and learning for our nation’s youngest learners.