Family child care is a growing and important profession. Today, more than half of all children under 6 years of age have mothers who work outside the home, and many of these children go to family child care homes.

As a child care provider, you offer children and families an important service. You provide a secure environment where children can learn to trust other adults and children. You plan activities each day that help children solve problems, express their ideas, and learn about the real world--all crucial skills in preparing for school and for life. Together, you and parents promote the healthy development of each child. You make it possible for parents to attend to their jobs without having to worry about their children's care.

It is a challenging task to provide a high-quality program for children of different ages in your home. The Creative Curriculum^® can help by showing you how to:

• organize the home environment for child care
• establish a regular daily schedule
• collect appropriate materials
• guide children's behavior and learning
• involve parents
• plan appropriate activities with mixed-age groups in dramatic play, blocks, toys, art, sand and water, books, cooking, music and movement, and outdoor play
• ensure safety
• equip your home