by Dr. Kerby T. Alvy and the staff of the Center for the Improvement of Child Caring

''Societal changes and economic conditions over the last forty years have stimulated millions of American parents to obtain out-of-home child care to supervise and educate their infants, toddlers and preschoolers. As a result, there now exists a vast system of early childhood care and education centers and homes, some of which are licensed and/or supervised by state and federal governments, and some of which are unlicensed and unsupervised.''

''This vast system is now being utilized by the majority of parents of young children, i.e., sixty one percent of all young children participate in some form of out-of-home care (Child Trends Data Bank, 2003).''

''This system could also be utilized as a nationwide vehicle through which the majority of American parents can be assisted in being more effective in raising their children.''

''Such assistance would be very welcomed and badly needed, as effective parenting is a central ingredient in children bewing ready and capable of making successful use of their formal education experiences. Numerous research studies also indicate that effective parenting is a core ingredient in children making other positive adjustments and community contributions, as well as in predisposing them to stable marriages and successful careers. The reverse is also unfortunately true, i.e., ineffective and uniformed parenting predisposes children to school failure, drop out, and health and mental health problems. These, in turn, often result in delinquency, drug abuse, gang involvement, and crime. Ineffective parenting is also a root cause of child abuse and neglect.''

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