This series provides rationale and guidance for implementing relationship-based care in family childcare homes and childcare centers that serve infants, toddlers, and their families. Based on the understanding that relationships are essential for healthy development, responsive, nurturing relationships with caring adults provide safety and support for infants and toddlers to develop a sense of security and discover the world around them. The six program practices include primary caregiving, continuity of care, small group care, individualized care, culturally responsive care, and inclusive care. Program practices create an opportunity for responsive interactions that can lead to deep, nurturing relationships between caregivers and infants and toddlers over time.

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Relationship Based Care for Infants and Toddlers: The Foundations (2 HRS Child Development)

Start by building the foundation! Participants will explore the six underlying principles of responsive, nurturing infant and toddler care. We will review the importance of relationships, the findings of attachment research, and how to implement that research into programs.

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Relationship Based Care for Infants and Toddlers: Primary Care (2 HRS Professionalism)

Participants will dive deeply into the critical concept of “primary caregiving.” We will review the research and benefits of primary caregiving and explore strategies such as “Watch, Ask, Adapt.” Participants will also reflect on building high-quality practices through policy and program improvement.

 

Relationship Based Care for Infants and Toddlers: Continuity of Care (2 HRS Professionalism)

Participants will explore the concepts of continuity of care for children ages 0-3 and discover the important components of providing a sense of belonging and understanding that comes from the deep relationship between the caregiver, infant and family that can only develop over a substantial period of time.

 

Relationship Based Care for Infants and Toddlers: Small Group Care (1 HR Health, Safety, Nutrition; 1 HR Professionalism)

Participants will examine the small group care program practices with infants and toddlers. Recognize the elements needed to create a small community where infants, toddlers, families and caregivers thrive together.   Learn the benefits, aspects, and strategies for implementing small group care in your childcare!

 

Relationship Based Care for Infants and Toddlers: Individualized Care (1 HR Child Development; 1 HR Professionalism)

Participants will explore the program practice of individualized care by understanding individual differences and building individualized care into practice. Examine the intentionality of observation, learning styles, and developmental stages that support healthy development.  Reflect on policies and program initiatives that impact daily interactions with children and families.

 

Relationship Based Care for Infants and Toddlers: Culturally Responsive Care (1 HR Professionalism; 1 HR Community)

Participants will recognize the importance of culture by examining the relationship between culture, identity and the benefits of culturally responsive care. Participants will explore strategies, such as “Acknowledge, Ask, Adapt” related to culturally responsive care.

 

Relationship Based Care for Infants and Toddlers: Inclusive Care (1 HR Special Needs; 1 HR Professionalism)

Participants will explore inclusive care in infant and toddler care settings through reflection on challenges and reviewing considerations of implementation. Examine how the environment's Universal Design for Learning and Belonging promotes inclusive care.