Child Care and Early Education Research Connections

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The child care & early education glossary defines terms used to describe aspects of child care and early education practice and policy; the research glossary defines terms used in conducting social science and policy research, for example those describing methods, measurements, statistical procedures, and other aspects of research.

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U V W
Observational Tools
Refers to instruments that are used to observe aspects of the quality of a learning setting or environment. Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) commonly use the Environment Rating Scales (i.e., ECERS,ITERS,FCCERS, SACCERS) and the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) to measure and improve the quality of the learning environment and teacher effectiveness, respectively.
Office of Child Care (OCC)
A division of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that supports low-income working families to access affordable, high quality child care and After-School programs. The OCC administers the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) to states, territories, and federally recognized tribes.
Office of Head Start (OHS)
A federal office that manages Head Start grant funding provided by theAdministration for Children and Families (ACF) and oversees local agencies that provide Head Start services.
On Site Child Care
Child care programs that occur in facilities where parents/family members are on the premises, such as on school campuses or in employment/job settings. See related: Drop in/Short Term Child Care.
Out of School Time (OST)
Refers to time periods outside of regular school hours, such as before/after school, weekends, holidays, and summer breaks, in which school age children generally need child care and other types of programming and services. See related: After-School Program.
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