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For decades the field of early childhood education has experienced an identity crisis. Theoretical ideologies of early childhood pioneers have provided the foundation for understanding young children's development and the use of DAP for typically and atypically developing children. However, in the context of the systematic structure of general education and special education, impediments exist due to the notion of preschool children with special needs ought to be isolated because of being labeled. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to explore the strategies that preschool teachers use to meet the individual needs of special needs children and to determine what strategies directors use to support preschool teachers. Data were collected from a purposeful sample of 7 preschool teachers on their perceptions and role within an inclusive classroom. Findings revealed that although some special needs preschool children who were evaluated did not qualify for special education, some preschool teachers believe that special needs preschool children do not belong in a general education classroom. Findings of concern include teachers' descriptions of practices such as restraining young children and focusing only on typically developing children.

A developmentally appropriate learning environment provides learning experiences that support whole child development as young children are provided with opportunities to engage in meaningful experiences that promote inquiry, exploration, problem solving, and discovery. The intent of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) is shifting the K–12 pushdown curriculum in early childhood education (ECE) to a child-centered approach to learning. Qualification in fields unrelated to ECE might result in a lack of knowledge about child growth and development and in childcare centers functioning like K–12 programs. The purpose of this qualitative explanatory multi-case study was to examine toddler and preschool teachers’ beliefs and perceptions about the use of DAP within toddler and preschool classrooms. Data were collected from a purposeful sample of 16 teachers on their beliefs and perceptions about classroom practices and the forces that shape such practices in toddler and preschool classrooms. Findings suggest that a disturbing amount of toddler and preschool teachers endorsed a K–12 pushdown curriculum with the belief that young children should be able to sit and complete worksheets.

Early childhood education (ECE) programs in the United States are experiencing paradigm shifts resulting from the standards-based movement. The notion that all children should be ready to learn when they enter school has resulted in ECE programs attempting to balance a standards-based curriculum with the child-centered approach to learning as part of quality early care and learning. While an association between quality early care and learning has been established by the rating system of the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS-3), the Infant/Toddler Environmental Rating Scale (ITERS-R), and the Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scale (FCCERS-R), little is known about how classroom practices meet the developmental needs, interests, and abilities of young children based on children's zone of proximal development (ZPD). This study aimed to explore toddler and preschool teachers' and directors' perceptions about quality early care and learning and determine what strategies are used to integrate children's developmental needs, interests, and capabilities into classroom practices as part of the child-centered approach to learning. The study used a qualitative method of in-depth interviews and the collection of documents to answer the research questions. Results suggest that adherence to a standards-based curriculum with a teacher-centered approach seems to be at the expense of the constructivist approach to learning.

A developmentally appropriate learning environment provides learning experiences that support whole child development as young children are provided with opportunities to engage in meaningful experiences that promote inquiry, exploration, problem solving, and discovery. The intent of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) is shifting the K-12 pushdown curriculum in early childhood education (ECE) to a child-centered approach to learning. Qualification in fields unrelated to ECE might result in a lack of knowledge about child growth and development and in childcare centers functioning like K-12 programs. The purpose of this qualitative explanatory multi-case study was to examine toddler and preschool teachers' beliefs and perceptions about the use of DAP within toddler and preschool classrooms. Data were collected from a purposeful sample of 16 teachers on their beliefs and perceptions about classroom practices and the forces that shape such practices in toddler and preschool classrooms. Findings suggest that a disturbing amount of toddler and preschool teachers endorsed a K-12 pushdown curriculum with the belief that young children should be able to sit and complete worksheets.

The purpose of this qualitative explanatory multi-case study was to examine childcare workers’ perceptions about the use of developmentally appropriate practices within private toddler and preschool classrooms. The problem was that some child care workers have a master’s or bachelor’s degree in another field not related to early childhood education, which may result in a lack of knowledge regarding child growth and development and the use of developmentally inappropriate practices in toddler and preschool classrooms. The theoretical framework for this qualitative multi-case study was based on the contributions from the field of developmental psychology and neuroscience. Data collection included semi-structured one-on-one interviews, a focus group, and documentation which included photographs of participants’ classrooms, sample lesson plans, and children’s work samples from 16 child care workers in Northern New Jersey. Transcribed interviews were imported to NVivo 12 Pro. NVivo 12 Pro was used to manage and organize transcribed data and assign codes, which led to emerging themes. Three themes emerged: (a) preparing children so they would not be behind in kindergarten or for the next teacher; (b) curriculum and the age level approach; and (c) qualifications, knowledge, and training. Recommendations may lead to better monitoring of child care center programs to ensure that program activities are appropriate according to age and developmental level of the children. Recommendations may also lead to training models for child care center directors and child care workers.