A Study in Child Care (Case Study from Volume II-B) : "Will You Marry Me?" Day Care Program Reprint Series / Patricia Cook.

The Springfield Day Nursery System in Springfield, Massachusetts is one of a system of four day care centers. It is in an urban area, and over one-half of the families served are Puerto Rican, many of whom have unemployment and language barrier problems. A bilingual program (English-Spanish) is one of the outstanding features of the day care center. The program strongly emphasizes the development of English language skills, in an atmosphere which accepts the child's difficulty with English and reinforces his attempts to learn. Each age-grouped classroom has both English- and Spanish-speaking teachers who work for the development of positive self-images in the children and for the acquiring of language skills through a flexible curriculum. Development Learning materials are used extensively for seriation and sensorimotor development. Counseling is available to parents at the center, with referrals to community social services if further help is needed. The history and organization of the system, staff, and expenditures are described. An appendix of additional illustrative materials is included. (NH)

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.