## **[Infant and Toddler Child Care Resources]{.smallcaps}**

## 

## Better Baby Care Campaign

[http://www.betterbabycare.org](http://www.betterbabycare.org/)

The Better Baby Care Campaign, a nationwide effort to improve the
quality of infant and toddler child care, provides up-to-date
information on research and resources around infant and toddler care.
The website also provides information on federal, state, and local
policy initiatives.

*Brazelton Touchpoints Center*

[http://www.touchpoints.org](http://www.touchpoints.org/)

The Touchpoints Model is a training program for multi-disciplinary
professionals. Its goal is to provide them with skills and strategies
with which they can build alliances with parents of children aged zero
to three. The Touchpoints framework focuses on key points in the
development of infants, toddlers and their families.

## Child Care Aware

<http://childcareaware.org/>

Child Care Aware, a program of NACCRRA, is funded through a cooperative
agreement with the Child Care Bureau, Administration for Children and
Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Child Care Aware
is committed to helping parents find the best information on locating
quality child care and child care resources in their community.

Child Care Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services

<http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/>

The Child Care Bureau is dedicated to enhancing the quality,
affordability, and availability of child care for all families. The
Child Care Bureau administers federal funds to states, territories, and
tribes to assist low-income families in accessing quality child care for
children when the parents work or participate in education or training.

## Child Care and Early Education Research Connections

<http://www.childcareresearch.org/>

Child Care and Early Education Research Connections (CCEERC) promotes
high quality research in child care and early education and the use of
that research in policymaking. CCEERC aims to fulfill its mission by
making child care and early education research accessible to
researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. CCEERC also offers
guidance about research methods and research quality, and provides
information on public policies.

*Creative Curriculum® for Infants and Toddlers (Teaching Strategies,
Inc.)*

<http://www.teachingstrategies.com/>

Teaching Strategies, Inc. offers curriculum resources, training manuals
and parent resource booklets related to infant and toddler care,
including the *Creative Curriculum®* *for Infants and Toddlers*, which
emphasizes the importance of early learning in the context of
relationships. *Creative Curriculum®* is also available for family child
care, with a focus on strategies to provide age-appropriate experiences
for mixed-age groups of children, including infants and toddlers.

## Early Care and Education Collaborative

<http://www.earlycare.org/>

The Early Care and Education Collaborative is a multi-year project of
[eight state-based child advocacy
organizations](http://www.earlycare.org/contactus2.htm) working on child
care issues. The Communications Consortium Media Center (CCMC)
coordinates the Collaboration. The project\'s purpose is to design and
implement strategic public education strategies aimed at creating the
public will in each of the target states to expand both the supply and
the quality of early care and education resources. Further, the
Collaborative wants to share \"lessons learned\" on this unique
partnership with the broader child care community.

## Early Childhood and Parenting Collaborative Information Technology Group (ECAP/ITG)

<http://ecap.crc.uiuc.edu/info/>

The former ERIC Clearinghouse on Early Childhood Education (ERIC/EECE)
provided information for educators, parents and families, and
individuals interested in the development, education, and care of
children from birth through early adolescence. Before its closing in
December 2003, ERIC/EECE was operated by the University of Illinois for
over 35 years. During its last year of operation, ERIC/EECE was hosted
by ECAP/ITG. Because of the great popularity of ERIC/EECE\'s resources,
ECAP maintains an archive of many of the publications and resources
produced by ERIC/EECE.

## Early Head Start National Resource Center @ ZERO TO THREE (EHSNRC)

[http://www.ehsnrc.org](http://www.ehsnrc.org/)

*The Early Head Start National Resource Center @ ZERO TO THREE was
created by the Head Start Bureau and is operated by ZERO TO THREE. The
EHSNRC works at the national level to provide training and technical
assistance to Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start
programs.*

*First Connections*

*<http://www.firstconnections.nde.state.ne.us/>*

First Connections is a multifaceted, comprehensive telecommunications
project offering education about infants and toddlers to teachers,
caregivers, and parents across the state of Nebraska and beyond. The
curriculum framework is based on the Child Development Associate (CDA)
competencies. There are five sequential curriculum modules in this
online training that are supplemented by video clips and photos to
enhance the information presented in each lesson. The website also
features resources and information about infant and toddler development.

*Healthy Child Care America (HCCA)*

<http://www.healthychildcare.org/>

The Healthy Child Care America (HCCA) program is a collaborative effort
of health professionals, child care providers, and families working to
improve the health and safety of children in child care. Launched in
1995, HCCA seeks to maximize the health, safety, well-being, and
developmental potential of all children so that each child experiences
quality child care within a nurturing environment and has a medical
home.

## High/Scope Foundation

<http://www.highscope.org/>

High/Scope Educational Research Foundation is an independent nonprofit
research, development, training, and public advocacy organization with
headquarters in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The High/Scope educational approach
is based on active, hands-on learning that children plan, engage in and
then reflect on. Adults support this process and try to expand
children's experiences. Key experiences that support all children's
development guide teachers and caregivers in their observations and
interactions with children. Although best known for its preschool
programs, High/Scope has also developed [key experiences for infants and
toddlers](http://www.highscope.org/EducationalPrograms/EarlyChildhood/infanttoddkeyexp.htm)
and publishes several [resources focused on children birth to
three](http://www.highscope.org/productlist.asp?intcategoryid=5).

## I Am Your Child

[http://www.iamyourchild.org](http://www.iamyourchild.org/)

The I Am Your Child Foundation (IAYC) is a national, non-profit,
non-partisan organization that was founded in 1997 to raise awareness
about the importance of early childhood development and school
readiness. IAYC develops a wide variety of resources for parents, early
childhood professionals, child advocates, health care providers,
policymakers and the media. IAYC also promotes public policies that help
ensure that children have the physical well-being and the social,
emotional and cognitive abilities they need to enter school ready to
succeed.

## Innovations Series

[http://www.ghbooks.com](http://www.ghbooks.com/)

The Innovations series is a comprehensive curriculum for infants and
toddlers. It focuses on the elements of caregiver observation and
assessment, child development theory, interactive experiences,
adult-child interaction, parent partnerships and environments. The
series includes two curriculum books (one for infants, another for
toddlers), a book on infant and toddler development, and guides for
teachers and trainers.

## Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Department of U.S. Health and Human Services

http://[www.mchb.hrsa.gov](http://www.mchb.hrsa.gov/)

The Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) provides links to resources,
publications, websites, and federal and state programs relating to the
health and well-being of infants, children, adolescents, pregnant women,
and their families. MCHB provides a list of child health links,
including children with special needs.

*Mental Health/Social-Emotional Development Resources*

The National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC) has produced [Mental
Health Needs of Young
Children](http://www.nccic.org/poptopics/ecmhealth.html), which lists
federal agencies and national organizations that have information about
early childhood mental health (ECMH), professional development on ECMH
issues, and general mental health topics. The document also lists
publications that have information on collaborative efforts that address
the mental health needs of children in child care. The NCCIC Online
Library also includes a list of resources on [mental
health](http://128.174.128.220/cgi-bin/nccic/searchnccic.cgi?action=topicsearch&topic=Mental+Health)
and [social emotional
development](http://128.174.128.220/cgi-bin/nccic/searchnccic.cgi?action=topicsearch&topic=Social+Emotional+Development).

The National Conference of State Legislators recently hosted a
wed-assisted audioconference , [School Readiness: Considering Social and
Emotional Development in an Era Focused on
Accountability](http://www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/srsession.htm), that
examined the importance of social and emotional development in children
in order to begin school ready to learn, and presented state and
national initiatives that address this issue.

*National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)*

[http://www.naeyc.org](http://www.naeyc.org/)

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is
a nationwide membership organization of early childhood educators and
others dedicated to improving the quality of programs for children from
birth through third grade. The website provides information on
accreditation, early learning, resources for both parents and child care
providers, and early childhood education policy.

## National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI)

[http://www.nbcdi.org](http://www.nbcdi.org/)

The National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) is a nonprofit
organization that provides support through programs, workshops, and
resources for African American children, their parents and communities
in the areas of early health and education, health, elementary and
secondary education, child welfare, and parenting. The website provides
links to information about their local affiliates, conferences, and
programs.

*National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP)*

<http://www.nccp.org/it/>

The National Center for Children in Poverty's Infant and Toddler Project
focuses on the experiences of 25 selected initiatives across the country
to provide a menu of concrete, innovative strategies other states and
communities can use to promote more targeted and effective policy and
practice attention to infants and toddlers. The website highlights the
25 initiatives, shares their creative solutions and five overarching
strategies, and identifies resources for policy makers.

*National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC)*

<http://www.nccic.org/cctopics/infants.html>

The National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC), a project of the
Child Care Bureau, is a national resource that links information and
people to complement, enhance, and promote the child care delivery
system, working to ensure that all children and families have access to
high-quality comprehensive services. This link is for publications and
organizational resources that pertain to infants and toddlers.

## National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC)

[http://nectac.org](http://nectac.org/)

The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center supports the
implementation of the early childhood provisions of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Their mission is to strengthen
service systems to ensure that children with disabilities (birth through
five) and their families receive and benefit from high quality,
culturally appropriate, and family-centered supports and services.

*National Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative*

<http://nccic.org/itcc>

The National Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative is designed to
support Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) State and Territory
Administrators in their efforts to effect system-wide improvements in
infant and toddler child care. The Initiative is funded by the Child
Care Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, Department of
Health and Human Services and is located at ZERO TO THREE.

## National Scientific Council on the Developing Child

<http://developingchild.net/>

The National Scientific Council on the Developing Child was created to
extend the work that culminated in the publication of *From Neurons to
Neighborhoods* (National Research Council and Institute of Medicine,
2000). The ultimate goal of the Council is to enhance the early
development of children through the design and implementation of
effective public and private policies and programs. Based on its belief
in the value of sound and accurate science as a foundation for
enlightened action, the Council will serve as a credible knowledge
broker by translating research findings for multiple audiences and
identifying evidence-based strategies to guide social policies,
professional services, and parenting practices.

## The Paid Leave Clearinghouse

<http://www.paidleave.org/>

The Paid Leave Clearinghouse is a collection of full-text documents,
issued from 1999 onward, pertaining to paid family and medical leave.
The collection includes legislative texts, policy and advocacy
materials, cost benefits analyses of proposed legislation, public
opinion surveys, editorial comments, and materials on topics closely
related to paid leave, such as child care and early education. The
Clearinghouse was launched by the [National Partnership for Women and
Families](http://www.nationalpartnership.org/).

*The Program for Infant Toddler Caregivers (PITC)*

<http://www.pitc.org/>

The goal of PITC is to help caregivers recognize the crucial importance
of giving tender, loving care and assisting in the infants\'
intellectual development through an attentive reading of each child\'s
cues. The PITC\'s videos, guides, and manuals are designed to help child
care managers and caregivers become sensitive to infants\' cues, connect
with their family and culture, and develop responsive,
relationship-based care.

## Right From Birth

<http://www.etv.state.ms.us/television/specials/rfb/overview.html>

Right From Birth is a 12-episode television series that leads parents
and caregivers through the stages of early childhood from birth to 18
months and gives practical advice on how adults can prepare children for
a lifetime of learning from the day they are born. The series, which is
based on the work of Drs. Craig and Sharon Ramey, was developed in 2000
by the Mississippi Broadcasting Network and has aired on over 127 PBS
stations nationally. VHS videotapes of the series, a caregiver guide and
a facilitator manual support an outreach program that includes
facilitator training and community workshops. Several states have
replicated this model using the Right From Birth materials.

## Talaris Research Institute

<http://www.talaris.org/>

Talaris is a nonprofit Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) dedicated to
advancing knowledge of early brain development. Their research is
focused on children from birth to age five. They sponsor scientific
studies on early brain and behavioral development and then translate the
research findings into useful tools and information for parents,
caregivers, educators, healthcare, and business professionals. The
website features a list of recommended reading and easy to read
summaries of research (Research Spotlights) on how children think, feel
and, learn.

## U.S. Census Bureau

<http://www.census.gov/>

The Census 2000 website provides population, housing, economic and
geographic data.

## ZERO TO THREE

[http://www.zerotothree.org](http://www.zerotothree.org/)

The ZERO TO THREE Web site offers information for those interested in
the healthy development of young children, birth to three. The site
includes information on brain development, learning during everyday
routines, the developmental assessment process, parenting tips,
professional journal articles, policy briefs, as well as easy-to-use A-Z
topic listings, a search engine, and a growing list of Spanish
materials. The site also includes an [Infant Mental Health Resource
Center](http://www.zerotothree.org/imh/) that describes what infant
mental health (IMH) is and provides a list of resources and training
programs related IMH.