As the National School Readiness Task Force report indicates, if we expect to affect outcomes for young children and families, we need a system of services that is both accessible and affordable to these families. This system must support the development of caring communities.
What are caring communities? According to the National School Readiness Task Force, caring communities provide comprehensive support for young children ages 0-4 and their families. They fill gaps in health, family support, child care, and related human services, and work to link services to bring more continuous and convenient help to families. They improve support for young children and families in public schools. Elementary schools in caring communities implement "developmentally appropriate" teaching and assessment practices, increase parent involvement and professional development for staff, and work with community agencies to provide appropriate and effective services to children and families (NASBE, 1991, p. 15).
Posted on March 23, 1995
URL: http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/envrnmnt/go/93-3care.htm
References and Resources