Regardless of functioning level, older adults can benefit from meaningful and appropriate activities with young children. Isolation and loss of purpose may result when seniors do not have opportunities to contribute. The presence of older people in children's settings also teaches about aging. Seniors as Members of the Child Care Workforce Research has shown that the single most important determinant of quality child care is the caregiver. The on-going education and training of all child care staff are essential determinants of the quality of services children receive.
Older adults can find meaningful employment as staff members in child care centers.
Working with young children can be demanding and challenging, but the rewards of making a contribution to the growth, development and well- being of a child are great. Additionally, the younger professional can benefit from an understanding of the life development and adaptations of the seniors. Everyone in the program, from children to adults, can benefit from the added diversity of having older adults participate. For all child care workers, experiential knowledge coupled with specialized training and education is essential. Successful inclusion of older adults as paid staff or volunteers in child care programs starts with the development of an integrated training network - one that combines adult learning theory and experience in working with older adults with the best early childhood knowledge.