Abstract
Infant and toddler care services play a crucial role in supporting the healthy development of young children, as well as their families. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current research on infant and toddler care services, focusing on identifying key challenges facing the field and outlining potential future directions for research and practice. The literature review highlights the importance of high-quality care and the role of caregivers in promoting positive child outcomes. Challenges facing the field include inadequate funding, a shortage of trained caregivers, and difficulties ensuring equitable access to care. To address these challenges, future research should explore innovative approaches to funding and training, as well as strategies for promoting equitable access to high-quality care. Additionally, future research should examine the impact of emerging trends such as technology-mediated care and integrating care with other early childhood services. Overall, this paper provides valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers seeking to improve infant and toddler care services and support the healthy development of young children.
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