Not only is child care often provided by relatives and other family members, but from the perspective of the child as well as the family, child care is often an extension of the home. They have demystified the dichotomy that has fractured the early childhood field for so long. Research clearly tells us that early experiences matter. It doesn't matter where it happens or what the building is called, what matters is what happens once the children arrive. Child care is an important part of the community.
People are often reluctant to talk about child care as education.
We worry that the term education is too limiting. These beliefs are not part of the traditional purpose of education, although this too is changing. Also, since child care includes babies and toddlers, traditional education terms don't seem to fit. We must step up efforts to ensure that funding is provided to improve the quality of those places where children go before they enter school or at the end of the school day. Education for young children begins with health, and these links must continue into adolescence.