The Best of Both Worlds for Children Ages 1-4
The HPS Network grew out of a 1988 research report commissioned by a consortium of Baltimore businesses to answer a pressing question: Given that most working parents seek childcare out of the home, what is the best childcare for children under the age of 5?
The principal investigator, Dr. Adele Gammon, quickly realized that the literature clearly showed babies under 1 should primarily be home with one caregiver. Conversely, children over 4½ do well in a more structured, school-like learning atmosphere.
Care for children from age 1 to 4 fell into two general categories: family day care or center care. Family day care had more responsive children with better social skills and a generally happier atmosphere. But family day care coverage was unpredictable and there was, at best, inconsistent intellectual/academic stimulation.
Alternatively, center care had more highly qualified teachers, more toys and activities, and, as a result, children who were more academically prepared. Also, the hours of coverage were more predictable. However, there was also an atmosphere that was quite literally described as “Darwinian survival of the fittest.” It was generally accepted in centers that with such large numbers of children in one place, the children would fight, hit, and be verbally abusive to each other. The young children were acting out because they were overwhelmed by the size of the situation.
To further add to parents’ dilemma in choosing between the two types of programs, research clearly shows that humans learn more in the years up to age 4 than at any other stage in life. Parents faced a tough choice: develop their child intellectually or socially?
As these findings were presented, a member of the consortium pushed for clarification: What was best for these children from ages 1 to 4? Dr. Gammon considered this question and pointed out that the best childcare would be to put both together: a home based program of eight to ten children ages 1 to 4, with a certified college educated teacher, stimulating activities that change every 25 minutes, academic games mixed with lots of toys and free play, along with continual parental communication and careful attention to each child’s intellectual, social, emotional and physical development. The program should be full day, closed only for major holidays, and affordability priced in the middle range of typical childcare fees.
Thus, the HPS Network was born!
The HPS Network is now a network of teachers in Baltimore and the surrounding areas. The research-based curriculum has evolved and is recognized as a mixture of the best in early childhood education, with the goal of preparing these young learners for success in school.
And yes, Dr. Gammon still has students in her home, too!
Some quotes from these parents:
“It makes my life so much easier, seeing how happy he is!”
“I am constantly amazed how fast and how much she is learning.”
“My favorite is the weekly toy rotation. It seems just when he starts to get bored, the new toys come out and here we go again – ‘Bye, Mom!’ ”