Retains the popular style and approach of the Babies and Young Children texts. Covers all 11 DCE units in depth and in an accessible fashion. 'Think about it' activities, Case Studies, and Progress Checks throughout ensure that the students are thoroughly prepared for portfolios, assignments and other forms of assessment. Written by highly experienced authors, this text provides the breadth and depth of knowledge required for the successful completion of the DCE course.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Observation and assessment: observation and assessment. Part 2 Working with young children: planning and evaluating activities and routines. Part 3 Foundations to caring: the characteristics of a positive child-care and education environment; professional practice in the support of a positive care and education environment; physical care; good practice to support physical care and a positive environment; diet, nutrition and food. Part 4 The developing child: the general principles of child development; cognitive development; language development; physical development; emotional and social development; attachment, separation and loss; managing behaviour. Part 5 Health and community care: the promotion and maintenance of health; causes and prevention of ill health; responses to childhood illnesses; caring for sick children; responding to emergencies; children in hospital; common illnesses and conditions. Part 6 Play, curriculum and early learning: play; curriculum perspectives; curriculum areas. Part 7 Work with babies in the first year of life: conception, foetal development and antenatal care; birth, postnatal care and low birthweight babies; promoting development and learning; positive care and safe practice; the nutritional needs of babies; working with primary carers and young babies in group and domestic care. Part 8 Preparation for employment: structures of organization and work settings and the job role. Part 9 The provision of services and the protection of children: the development and structure of the family in society; social issues; the role of the statutory, voluntary and independent services; child protection; forms of abuse and the effects of abuse; child protection procedures; child protection - responding to child abuse. Part 10 Anti-discriminatory/anti-bias practice: the rights of children and their families; the identification of disabled children; supporting disabled children and their families; professionals working with disabled children. Part 11 Working with parents: working with parents.