Title: Examine the changing social and family dynamics that have increased the need for early childhood education and services.
Course: Early Childhood, Education, and Services I (19153-I) > Section: Maintaining Careers and Professionalism

Examination should include

- description of how social and economic changes have influenced the childcare industry
- projections in the childcare industry
- demand for professionals in early childhood education and related careers.

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

- What alternatives do families in the local community have for care and education of their young children? Which is greater, the supply of providers or the demand for childcare services?
- What has research shown related to children born in poverty vs. the children in higher socio-economic brackets?
- What does the “window of opportunity” for children have to do with the newer findings of excellent childcare versus the low to mediocre levels of childcare? How is this evident in the classroom? What can be done to even the playing field for all children?
- What are the similarities and differences between private and public childcare and education providers in the local community in terms of quality of program, price, licensing, certification, and other factors that affect consumer confidence? How can competition affect the quality of childcare programs?
- What is the local situation concerning employer-sponsored childcare? What would be the value of this benefit to parents of different economic means?
- Where is the future for early childhood education?

Communication

- How can one relate local research to state and national levels? What effect do state and federal laws, regulations, and policies have on the local community’s ability to provide childcare and education?
- What criteria do parents use to evaluate a childcare provider? What are the most important criteria?
- What skills are needed to understand the economic effects of the early childhood education and services industry?

Leadership

- What is the role of the government in the childcare and education industry?
- What might happen if the government could afford an early childhood program for all children?