Current Issues

Diversity

Child Care and Development Diversity Resources (pdf)
Statement on Culturally Responsive Early Care and Education (pdf)

One of the current issues receiving significant attention and discussion in the early childhood education field is diversity, particularly the need to provide more opportunities for leadership in the field from a wider group of individuals. The Child Care Planning Council has engaged in focused efforts to support diverse local engagement, dialogue, and leadership.

The CCPC also recognizes that teachers and providers need resources to support and encourage diversity in their program curricula. Culturally responsive early childhood education allows children to be who they are, like who they are, get along well with others who are different than themselves, ask for what they need and feel is right, and stand up for themselves and others. It fosters children’s capacity to thrive in school and in life in an increasingly multicultural country and interconnected world.

As demonstrated in the Statement on Culturally Responsive Early Care and Education, the Child Care Planning Council urges all those who work with children and their families to create culturally responsive programs to support our children in reaching their full potential. To that end, a diversity workgroup was established within the CCPC to develop a compilation of resources for early childhood educators. It is our hope that Sonoma County early care and education teachers and providers will find these tools helpful in their work.

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Early Violence Prevention

Early Violence Prevention Resources (pdf)

The goal of the Child Care Planning Council’s Early Violence Prevention Committee is to provide resources, materials and linkages regarding best practices for Early Violence Prevention to Sonoma County child care and development providers. In 2009, the committee developed a list of early violence prevention resources to assist providers in supporting children in developing the social skills they need to become tolerant, compassionate problem-solvers. This list of general resources and evidence-based curriculum resources is relevant to child care and development settings (Infant/Toddler Centers, Family Child Care Homes, Preschools and After School Programs).

Leadership Development

Best Practices of Accreditation Facilitation Projects, from NAEYC (pdf)
—See Chapter 4, Community Leadership
Child Care Resource List (pdf)

The Child Care Planning Council recognizes that the make-up of current leadership in the Child Care and Development field is limited and in need of people of diverse cultural, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, gender balance and cross-generational representation.

Aware of the wealth of talented diverse individuals in Sonoma County’s Child Care and Development workforce who have the potential to become our next leaders, the Child Care Planning Council is currently engaged in a variety of activities to support the development of the next generation of local leaders in our field.

Quality Child Care

Quality Counts: What is Quality Care?

As a community, we care that when our children are away from their families, they are cared for in environments and programs that meet a high level of quality. Overwhelmingly, research shows that when children are in child care, the quality of that care is an important determining factor in the optimal growth and development of children. Study after study indicates that children who have had high-quality child care experiences have a greater opportunity to reach their maximum potential in life.

Recognition of the Importance
of Child Care and Development

Increased Recognition of the Importance of Early Care and Education (pdf)

This document, created by the CCPC, substantiates the recent increased community recognition of the importance of child care and development. Links are provided to federal, state, and local government sources, as well as to those from the business, law enforcement, and military communities.

Role of Child Care and Development
in Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse

Child Care as Child Abuse Prevention (pdf)
Protecting the Youngest, by Steve Christian and Julie Poppe (pdf)

These documents provide information about how child care and development programs can provide critical child abuse prevention strategies, relief for parents who need respite from the stresses of their responsibilities, and opportunities for children who have been abused or neglected to obtain safe, nurturing care.

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