<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><xml><records><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Yu-Ching Yeh</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Mei-Huey Hsieh</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Zih-Syuan Yang</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Mei-Mei Chang</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Hsin-Jung Chien</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Wei-Lun Hong</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Hsiao-Hsin Tsai</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT IN CHILDCARE SETTINGS: PROMOTING A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Problems of Education in the 21st Century</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">age-appropriate</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">caring environment</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">childcare settings</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">infants and toddlers</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">sustainable environment</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2024</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">December/2024</style></date></pub-dates></dates><urls><web-urls><url><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">https://oaji.net/articles/2023/457-1737055412.pdf</style></url></web-urls></urls><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">82</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Continuous</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Well-designed physical spaces and appropriate equipment are crucial for enhancing the quality of care and education for infants and toddlers. Four key areas were examined hygiene and safety, learning and development, space and facility management, and sustainability. The study sampled childcare centers based on their geographic distribution and type, including 193 centers—155 public and 38 private. The findings reveal disparities in facilities and equipment between public and private centers, highlighting the need for more detailed regulations and sustainable practices. Public centers, which benefit from government funding, typically offer higher-quality facilities, whereas private centers, constrained by costs, often lack sustainable equipment and caregiver-friendly amenities. Additionally, the potential risks associated with over-reliance on soothing chairs, baby cradles, and playpens may impede toddlers' physical development. The results underscore the need for clear guidelines to help private centers enhance their facilities and call for more specific standards, especially in rapidly expanding public childcare services in Asian countries, to ensure that childcare environments support the well-being of both children and caregivers.</style></abstract><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">6A</style></issue><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Original article</style></work-type><section><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">995-1008</style></section></record></records></xml>