Those operating unregulated programs may not seek training for fear their program will be closed. The parents' role in selecting child care and monitoring progress is critical to the child's optimum development, health and safety. Parents often acknowledge they need assistance in understanding the components of quality care arrangements and in gaining positive parenting skills. Salaried and volunteer staff in public and private organizations and agencies need staff development opportunities in order to plan, implement and evaluate quality child care programs. Communities and public policy decision makers need reliable unbiased information to help strengthen their community's response to child care issues and concerns.
Nutrition plays a critical role in the healthy growth and development of young people.
Child care providers face important decisions about how to feed children meals and snacks that meet dietary guidelines for nutrition and quantity while staying with operating budgets. They also need educational programs to help them translate technical nutritional concepts into appropriate food selections, and make cost-effective purchasing decisions. Economic issues of child care impact many facets of our society. Being able to afford child care is a major issue for a majority of families since some child care programs can cost as much as college tuition. Child care providers and programs also face economic challenges.