Course Description
This course is designed for early childhood professionals with a focus on administration in early childhood settings. Program planning, policy formation, personnel selection, training and supervision, facilities management and budgeting, state licensing standards, and interpersonal skills are examined. Included are analysis of current trends, community resources, and program evaluation. The course requires 15 hours of observation/shadowing an early childhood administrator. This course is part of the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Director Credential.
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s)
Topical Outline
- The effective director
- Assessing community need and establishing a program
- Licensing and certification
- Organizing center structure and working with a board
- Handling financial matters/funding the program
- Developing a center facility
- Marketing the program
- Equipping the center
- Staffing the center
- Recruiting children
- Supporting quality curriculum
- Managing the food/health/safety
- Working with families, volunteers, and the community
- Providing the personal and professional staff development
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of child development principles in the administration of programs.
- Demonstrate knowledge of licensing regulations and guidelines
- Integrate the philosophy of the child care setting into the management of the program and child care advocacy.
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of human resource management, fiscal planning, and community resources.