Tamar Jacobson has been director of the University at Buffalo Child Care Center, Inc. since March 1996, after serving as program coordinator at the center for three years. She received her doctorate in elementary/early childhood education from the Graduate School of Education in 1997.

How many children does the UB Child Care Center serve?

The University at Buffalo Child Care Center (UBCCC) has two sites, one at North and one at South Campus. The South site accommodates 115 children and North serves 50.

What is the center's philosophy?

UBCCC is committed to providing a program that embodies developmentally appropriate practices and principles by following guidelines outlined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Through our anti-bias, child-sensitive program, we encourage and enhance all stages of a child's development: physical, emotional, social and cognitive. The teaching staff creates a safe, comfortable and warm environment in which children gain a positive sense of themselves and others, develop friendships and learn to relate to others with empathy and respect.

The center is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. What exactly does that mean?

The National Academy of Early Childhood Programs is a division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC is the largest and most prestigious early-childhood organization in America, with a membership of 100,000 professionals. Over the past decade, NAEYC has organized an accreditation system that evaluates an early-childhood program based on criteria that include interactions between staff and children, physical environments, health and safety, curriculum, administration procedures and staff qualifications. NAEYC is concerned that children receive high-quality care and education in the early years. Research shows that quality care and education is important for better social and cognitive outcomes for children and provide opportunities for a good life for them when they are in child care.

How does the UB Child Care Center differ from the Early Childhood Research Center?

The UB Child Care Center is open 12 months a year, five days a week from 7:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. The mission of UBCCC is to provide quality, affordable child care for the families of the students, staff and faculty of UB. Children are enrolled ages 6 weeks to 5 years in infant, toddler and preschool programs. Due to funding from SUNY Central, UBCCC is able to offer a sliding fee scale and gives assistance to lower-income families through a federal Campus Child Care Block Grant. The UBCCC is licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The 35 members of the teaching staff at the UB Child Care Center are qualified early-childhood teachers. The UBCCC is a private, not-for-profit corporation that receives space and assistance from UB. The Early Childhood Research Center (ECRC) is part of the Graduate School of Education and is a laboratory school. It follows the academic calendar and is open Monday through Thursday, three hours in the morning and afternoon. ECRC also is accredited by NAEYC, but not licensed by the Office of Children and Family Services because its program does not exceed three hours. Teaching staff consists of graduate assistants and early-childhood interns. The ECRC has a toddler and preschool program, but does not enroll infants.

What do you think about John Rosemond's assessment that society today has become "child-centered" and that parents are too lenient?

I like to call society "child-sensitive," because somehow when we use the term "centered" it sounds as if children have power or control over adults. Some educators are very concerned about the balance of power between children and their parents. Perhaps Rosemond refers to "lenient" when parents do not set boundaries for children. I believe that many parents have difficulties with setting clear limits for their children. Sometimes adults confuse kindness and respect with allowing children to do and say whatever they want. David Elkind (a prominent child-development expert) describes democracy as a balance of each other's freedom. In order to teach children that concept of democracy, it is necessary, indeed it is kind and respectful, to set developmentally appropriate limits. In that way adults protect children and teach them about safety, social mores and democracy.

How do you counter the argument that very young children should be at home with their mothers, rather than spending time in day care?

The reality in society today is that more than 60 percent of mothers work outside the home. For most it is a necessity; for some it is for self-fulfillment. Research now shows that quality early care and education is good for future, positive cognitive and social success. Children can have a positive experience that enhances cognitive and social development when they are in programs where the staff understands about child development and appropriate early-childhood education. Children will learn to interact with their peers and other adults, problem-solving skills and increase their knowledge of the world around them. Many parents feel guilty about leaving their children in child care. I work hard at helping to alleviate their guilt with the current research, as well as with my 27 years of experience, to back me.

You grew up in Israel. Are there significant differences between the ways American and Israeli children are raised?

Israeli children are encouraged to ask a lot of questions. Israeli society loves children, includes them in national holidays and cares a lot about their education. Indeed, the Ministry of Education in Israel sees early-childhood education as the foundation for the future. I think John Rosemond would find Israeli parents to be very "lenient!" I have been in Buffalo for 11 years, but I remember Israeli early-childhood classrooms as noisy, lots of talking, questioning, debating and risk-taking. Sometimes I think American children receive more authoritative and structured schooling. I am not sure if American society loves children in the same way. Early-childhood education is not a national priority in America.