As I read our latest white paper on family child care and the CLASS system, I found myself humming Sister Sledge’s hit song, "We are Family." Even though family child care (FCC) settings may differ from other child-care arrangements (and from one another), we truly are a family when it comes to the business of providing care and supporting children and families through early childhood. And the bond that ties our family together? Interactions!

In April, Teachstone and Brookes Publishing will release the Infant CLASS^TM tool! It’s been a little over a year since I provided a series of pilot trainings to learn about the validity of the measure and how best to train observers. We are now busy compiling that data and putting the final touches on resources to help you learn about the Infant CLASS tool, measure interactions using the Infant CLASS measure, and ultimately, improve these interactions. Expect to see observation trainings, Video Library clips, a Dimensions Guide, and other professional development opportunities related to the Infant CLASS tool.