Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Child Care Today, Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood...

Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs

Child Care Today, Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs

A variety of early childhood programs are available that provide children with supervision, care, and education. Program directors have responsibilities to

• follow legal requirements.

• hire and train qualified staff.

• work with boards and parents to provide high-quality programs.

1



• terminate

• subsidy

• philosophy

• program goals

• for-profit

• nonprofit

• program sponsors

• license exempt

• registration

• accreditation criteria

2

• organizational chart

• reference check

• board

• program governance

• advisory board

• governing board

• financial management


Program Types


• The phrase early childhood program describes any situation in which children receive supervision, care, education, or special lessons by qualified people.

• This care typically occurs outside the children’s homes.

• The demand for such programs has grown over the last few decades.

3



philosophyThe general beliefs, concepts, and attitudes a program has about how children learn.

A program’s philosophy might state that it strives to provide a safe, developmentally appropriate environment for preschool and school-age children, with a focus on promoting a desire in each child to be a lifelong learner.

Program Philosophy and Goals

4



program goalsBasic skills, concepts, and attitudes to develop and encourage in children; the range of services to be provided.

A child care center’s program goals might include the development of social skills, self-esteem, and responsibility.


5




• The defining feature of any early childhood program is its program philosophy, or mission statement.

• The philosophy describes how the program should serve and educate children and involve parents.

6




• Children need hands-on learning experiences.

• Children have different learning and developmental levels.

• Classroom design should encourage exploration.

• Children need independent and group activities.

• Children’s interests and needs should guide learning activities.

• Activities should encourage physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development.

• Activities should encourage problem solving and creativity.

• Parent involvement enhances children’s overall development.

Sample Program Philosophy

7



for-profitDesigned to bring in more income than is spent on services.

KinderCare® is an example of a for-profit child care business.

For-Profit and Nonprofit Programs

8



nonprofitThere are no owners or stockholders who receive money from the program’s income.

Money earned by a nonprofit program pays expenses before going into savings for future use.


9




• For-profit programs bring in more income than they spend on their services.

• The extra money goes to the owners or stockholders.

• For-profit programs are owned by individuals or large investor-owned or company-owned businesses.

• Money earned by a nonprofit program goes back into the budget or into savings.

10


Program Quality


The following areas require quality programming:

• Program philosophy and goals

• Knowledge of child development and appropriate guidance

• Basic health, safety, and nutrition

• Appropriate environment

• Developmentally appropriate curriculum and practices

• Activities, records, reports, and evaluations

• Organized daily schedule

• Family involvement

• Ongoing staff training

11



program sponsorsSpecific groups that fund or manage an early childhood program.

Program philosophies and goals vary according to the individual purposes of the program sponsors.

Program Options

12


Program Options


• Enroll children whose parents or guardians work or attend school.

• Typically open 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Some operate evenings or 24 hours a day.

• Provide learning activities, active play, meals, snacks, and nap time.

• Generally serve children 6 weeks to 12 years.

Child Care Centers

13


Program Options


Family Child Care Homes• provide private child care services offered by individuals

in their own homes.

Before- and After-School Child Care• offer care for school-age children before and after school.

Preschools and Nursery Schools • emphasize learning skills and social development for

children three to five years of age.

• provide extra experiences prior to formal education.

14


Program Options


Public School Prekindergarten• provides enrichment activities to help children succeed in

elementary school.• usually operates only during the school year.

Employer-Sponsored Centers• offered by businesses to employees on or near the work

site.

In-Home Child Care• Some parents or guardians employ nannies or host au

pairs to provide child care in their own homes.

15


Program Options


Intergenerational Care Centers• offer daytime care for young children and older adults.• provide beneficial interaction between children and older

adults.

Child Care for Mildly Ill Children• staffed with early childhood professionals and nurses

while children get well.• slower paced and provide more rest time.

16


Program Options


Back-Up Child Care Centers• provide short-term care when a working parent’s regular

child care option is interrupted.

Head Start Preschools and Child Care Centers• prepare economically disadvantaged preschoolers for

school success. • offer free education, health, dental, and nutrition services.

17


Program Options


Montessori Preschools• encourage independent learning, learning by doing, and

learning through the senses. • use educational materials designed to help children

master tasks in sequence.

Preschools and Child Care for Children with Special Needs• provide appropriate care for children with very

complicated disabilities.

18


Program Options


Crisis Nurseries• 24-hour services for overstressed parents who feel at risk

of abusing their children.• may care for children for up to three days while parents

seek counseling.

Parent Cooperatives• Child care professionals, teachers, and parents work

together to influence philosophy and goals.

19


Program Options


Laboratory Schools• serve as training sites for students studying for careers in

child development. • often provide care, education, and guidance based on the

latest research and methods.

Kindergarten• offers a developmentally appropriate curriculum for

children five to six years of age.

20


Licensing, Registration, and Legal Duties


• Early childhood programs must meet specific legal requirements before they are allowed to operate.

• Local and state laws and regulations vary from state to state.

21



license exemptCertain programs that are not required to obtain licenses to operate legally in their states.

Early childhood programs associated with parochial schools that are part of places of worship can be license exempt.

Licensing and Registration Laws

22



registrationRequirement that a care provider notify city or state officials in writing of the program’s name, address, telephone number, and intention to provide services.

Some states require registration to operate a child care center instead of a formal program license.


23




• State licensing laws identify programs that must meet minimum requirements for legal operation.

• Meeting a state’s licensing laws for operation is a mandatory requirement, not a program choice.

• The Department of Human Services or the Department of Children and Family Services enforces licensing laws.

24




• Health, safety, and nutrition requirements

• Maximum group size of children by age

• Square footage of space per child for indoor and outdoor areas

• Minimum staff qualifications and in-service training requirements

• Minimum equipment and supplies for each classroom

• Recommended classroom ratios of teachers to children

Early Childhood Licensing Requirements

25


Legal Duties for Early ChildhoodProfessionals


• Each state’s licensing laws specify the minimum amount of information to be included in a program’s application form.

Enrollment Application Legalities

26

• Programs must offer enrollment services on an equal-opportunity basis.

Nonbiased Enrollment Practices


Legal Duties for Early ChildhoodProfessionals


• Before information about a child can be shared with nonprogram staff, written permission from a legal parent or guardian must be obtained.

Ensuring Privacy and Confidentiality

27

• The written contract states the days and hours of a child’s attendance, costs for services, and payment procedures.

Fee Agreement Contracts


Compliance with Laws


Child care professionals have a legal responsibility to respond if laws are being ignored or incorrectly followed. Violations that require reporting:

• Failure to maintain legal records or confidentiality

• Illegal financial practices

• Biased, discriminatory practices

• Licensing and accreditation violations

• Health, safety, and fire-code violations

• Suspected abuse and neglect

28



accreditation criteriaA set of standards that represents high-quality, developmentally appropriate programs.

Programs that are committed to high-quality services work hard to meet as many accreditation criteria as possible.

Accreditation Criteria

29


Accreditation Criteria


• Complying with accreditation criteria is voluntary.

• Accreditation is awarded from a professional organization to assure that the program operates according to recognized professional practices.

• To ensure that programs maintain high quality, they must be periodically reaccredited.

30


Managing Program Services


• The director sets the tone for the staff’s professional performance.

• Directors work with teachers to plan, apply, and evaluate learning programs and activities based on the program’s goals and philosophy.

31


Staff Recruitment and Supervision


• Staff directors work to maintain the best staff possible.

• They recruit, interview, and hire the best-qualified employees.

• Age, education, and work-experience requirements vary according to positions.

32




Most directors hire people to fill these positions:

• Assistant director

• Teaching staff and substitutes

• Food service staff

• Transportation staff

• Custodial and grounds crew

• Health care staff

• Family involvement coordinator

• Curriculum coordinator

33



terminate

To discontinue someone’s employment.

A staff director’s job description would allow him or her to hire or terminate employees, but a teacher’s job description would not include that responsibility.


34



organizational chartAn organized staffing plan that identifies supervisors for specific positions.

An organizational chart helps staff know whom they should inform about problems, solutions, or suggestions for program activities.


35




• Programs identify and describe responsibilities for each staff member.

• Every staff position has a job description.

Staff Qualifications

36

• Quality programs have a specific plan for staffing.

• Directors create work schedules and inform each staff member of his or her specific work hours.

Staff Organization



reference checksContacting people who know a job applicant’s character, job performance, and employment skills.

Directors conduct reference checks on potential employees to make sure they hire only the best-qualified candidates.


37




• Work history

• Educational background

• Résumé

• Reference checks

• Medical tests

• Criminal background checks

Screening Staff

38




• Personnel policies and handbooks

• In-service training

• Continuing education

• Performance evaluation

Staff Development

39


Quality Facilities


• A quality facility creates a nurturing environment.

• Its design should support the program philosophy and goals.

• Good facilities are comfortable and useful for staff, clients, and clients’ family members.

• Licensing laws set minimum standards that facilities must meet.

40



boardA group of individuals who support the program’s purpose but are not employed by the program.

Program operations can also be influenced by a board, the program sponsor, and the director.

Program Governance

41



program governanceThe process by which a director and a board make decisions about a program’s policies and procedures.

Program governance can be a cooperative effort between the program sponsor and a director.

Program Governance

42



advisory boardA board that only gives directors recommendations on decisions to be made.

An advisory board has limited decision-making power.

Program Governance

43



governing boardA board that has full decision-making power.

The governing board tells directors what actions to take and has final authority for decisions.

Program Governance

44


Program Governance


• Advisory Boards and Governing Boards

• All boards assign leadership positions.

• Board Responsibilities

• Ensure that policies and procedures are fair.

• Board Committees

• Groups that conduct work in a timely manner.

Organizational Structure

45


Program Governance


• Constitution and By-laws• states the program’s purpose and establishes conduct rules for

the board

• Governance Handbook• lists all of a program’s policies and procedures

• Personnel Handbook• states personnel policies

Governance Handbooks

46


Program Governance


• Sponsors (those who provide funding) usually have the final say in administration decisions.

• Directors can help sponsors determine if program goals are being met.

Administration

47


Client Services


• Directors attract and maintain steady enrollment according to capacity.

• Directors must maintain good relationships with the family to meet the child’s needs and family’s expectations.

Program Enrollment

48



subsidy

A grant or gift of money from a government to a private company, organization, or charity to help it function.

Referrals may be in response to a question about applying for a state’s child care subsidy or financial assistance program.

Client Services

49


Client Services


• Most states require programs to inform parents of policies and procedures in writing.

Parent or Family Handbooks

50

• Talk to family members at drop-off and pickup times; newsletters; progress reports, Web sites, e-mail; conferences; anytime visits.

Family Involvement

• Good directors are well acquainted with community services.

Community Referrals



financial managementBalancing income and expenses to ensure that a program’s doors remain open to children and families.

Good financial management allows a program to meet the costs of daily operation.

Financial Management

51




• Financial management requires preparation of a yearly budget.

• A budget is a detailed listing of program expenses for services and an account of how much money the program expects to receive for services.

• The director is responsible for making sure income meets or exceeds expenses.

52




• Directors make sure the program fees cover the cost of the services they provide.

Managing Income

53

• Expenses are the costs that result from operating the program.

Managing Expenses


Public Relations


• By keeping current on child-related laws and research, directors can inform local government, city offices, and media of valuable information.

Being a Reliable Source of Information

54

• Active participation in professional organizations conveys a positive image to the community.

Professional Organization Membership

Community Outreach• Directors should be actively involved in the

community. They should place information about their programs where potential clients might see it.


Quality Assurance


• Programs routinely undergo a variety of inspections and evaluations to confirm that quality is achieved.

• An audit (a review of a program’s records, practices, and procedures) assures quality.

• Programs hire accountants to audit their financial records.

55


Quality Assurance


• It is the ethical duty of every early childhood professional to record and report licensing violations.

• An agent from the licensing office should be notified by telephone or in writing if a program consistently violates licensing requirements.

Reporting Licensing Violations

56

Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Child Care Today, Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood...

Documents

Transcript of Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Child Care Today, Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood...