ABSTRACT
In the field of early childhood, both competentcare and effective education have long been re-garded as essential to the intellectual, social/emotional, and physical development of infants and young children. When babies and young children feel the comfort that comes from depending on and trusting their adult caretakers, they are prepared to engage in effective cognitive and social learning. Conversely, the stimulation that comes from interesting learning materials and social interactions is only truly successful if emotional needs are first met. Thus, care and education in early childhood are intertwined when childcare centers contain some sort of educational program, and educational facilities include a focus on nurturing children’s safety and comfort. In this discussion of early education, it is assumed throughout that care is an essential component.
