Book Description

This document presents model work standards articulating components of the child care center-based work environment that enable teachers to do their jobs well. These standards establish criteria to assess child care work environments and identify areas to improve in order to assure good jobs for adults and good care for children. The standards are divided into 13 categories: (1) wages; (2) benefits; (3) job descriptions and evaluations; (4) hiring and promotions; (5) termination, suspension, severance, and grievance procedures; (6) classroom assignments, hours of work, and planning time; (7) communication, team building, and staff meetings; (8) decision and problem solving; (9) professional development; (10) professional support; (11) diversity; (12) health and safety; and (13) physical setting. Some standards are considered essential for child care centers to be recognized as providing a good adult work environment, directly impact the quality of care, or were repeatedly emphasized by teachers, directors, and others. Some standards indicate two possible levels of quality, a high-quality level and a striving level. Appendices include notes for teachers, directors, parents, and boards of directors who are using the model work standards; information on the "essential" model work standards; methods for calculating a self-sufficiency or living wage for a particular community; and an action plan work sheet. (KB)