html5-img
1 / 56

Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs

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.

fruma
Télécharger la présentation

Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. 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.

  2. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • philosophy • program goals • for-profit • nonprofit • program sponsors • license exempt • registration • accreditation criteria • terminate • subsidy • organizational chart • reference check • board • program governance • advisory board • governing board • financial management Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs

  3. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Program Types Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • 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.

  4. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Program Philosophy and Goals 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. Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs philosophy The general beliefs, concepts, and attitudes a program has about how children learn.

  5. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Program Philosophy and Goals A child care center’s program goals might include the development of social skills, self-esteem, and responsibility. Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs programgoals Basic skills, concepts, and attitudes to develop and encourage in children; the range of services to be provided.

  6. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Program Philosophy and Goals Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • 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.

  7. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Program Philosophy and Goals Sample Program Philosophy Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • 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.

  8. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs For-Profit and Nonprofit Programs KinderCare® is an example of a for-profit child care business. Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs for-profit Designed to bring in more income than is spent on services.

  9. Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs For-Profit and Nonprofit Programs Money earned by a nonprofit program pays expenses before going into savings for future use. nonprofit There are no owners or stockholders who receive money from the program’s income. 9

  10. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs For-Profit and Nonprofit Programs Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • 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.

  11. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Program Quality The following areas require quality programming: Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • 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

  12. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Program Options Program philosophies and goals vary according to the individual purposes of the program sponsors. Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs programsponsors Specific groups that fund or manage an early childhood program.

  13. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Program Options Child Care Centers Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  21. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Licensing, Registration, and Legal Duties Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • 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.

  22. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Licensing and Registration Laws Early childhood programs associated with parochial schools that are part of places of worship can be licenseexempt. Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs licenseexempt Certain programs that are not required to obtain licenses to operate legally in their states.

  23. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Licensing and Registration Laws Some states require registration to operate a child care center instead of a formal program license. Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs registration Requirement that a care provider notify city or state officials in writing of the program’s name, address, telephone number, and intention to provide services.

  24. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Licensing and Registration Laws Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • 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.

  25. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Licensing and Registration Laws Early Childhood Licensing Requirements Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • 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

  26. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Legal Duties for Early ChildhoodProfessionals Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Enrollment Application Legalities • Each state’s licensing laws specify the minimum amount of information to be included in a program’s application form. Nonbiased Enrollment Practices • Programs must offer enrollment services on an equal-opportunity basis.

  27. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Legal Duties for Early ChildhoodProfessionals Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Ensuring Privacy and Confidentiality • Before information about a child can be shared with nonprogram staff, written permission from a legal parent or guardian must be obtained. Fee Agreement Contracts • The written contract states the days and hours of a child’s attendance, costs for services, and payment procedures.

  28. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Compliance with Laws Child care professionals have a legal responsibility to respond if laws are being ignored or incorrectly followed. Violations that require reporting: Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • 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

  29. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Accreditation Criteria Programs that are committed to high-quality services work hard to meet as many accreditationcriteria as possible. Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs accreditationcriteria A set of standards that represents high-quality, developmentally appropriate programs.

  30. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Accreditation Criteria Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • 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.

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

  32. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Staff Recruitment and Supervision Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • 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.

  33. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Staff Recruitment and Supervision Most directors hire people to fill these positions: Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • Assistant director • Teaching staff and substitutes • Food service staff • Transportation staff • Custodial and grounds crew • Health care staff • Family involvement coordinator • Curriculum coordinator

  34. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Staff Recruitment and Supervision 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. Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs terminate To discontinue someone’s employment.

  35. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Staff Recruitment and Supervision An organizationalchart helps staff know whom they should inform about problems, solutions, or suggestions for program activities. Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs organizationalchart An organized staffing plan that identifies supervisors for specific positions.

  36. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Staff Recruitment and Supervision Staff Qualifications Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • Programs identify and describe responsibilities for each staff member. • Every staff position has a job description. Staff Organization • Quality programs have a specific plan for staffing. • Directors create work schedules and inform each staff member of his or her specific work hours.

  37. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Staff Recruitment and Supervision Directors conduct referencechecks on potential employees to make sure they hire only the best-qualified candidates. Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs referencechecks Contacting people who know a job applicant’s character, job performance, and employment skills.

  38. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Staff Recruitment and Supervision Screening Staff Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • Work history • Educational background • Résumé • Reference checks • Medical tests • Criminal background checks

  39. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Staff Recruitment and Supervision Staff Development Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • Personnel policies and handbooks • In-service training • Continuing education • Performance evaluation

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

  41. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Program Governance Program operations can also be influenced by a board, the program sponsor, and the director. Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs board A group of individuals who support the program’s purpose but are not employed by the program.

  42. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Program Governance Programgovernance can be a cooperative effort between the program sponsor and a director. Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs programgovernance The process by which a director and a board make decisions about a program’s policies and procedures.

  43. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Program Governance An advisoryboard has limited decision-making power. Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs advisoryboard A board that only gives directors recommendations on decisions to be made.

  44. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Program Governance The governingboard tells directors what actions to take and has final authority for decisions. Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs governingboard A board that has full decision-making power.

  45. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Program Governance Organizational Structure Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • 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.

  46. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Program Governance Governance Handbooks Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • 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

  47. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Program Governance Administration Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • Sponsors (those who provide funding) usually have the final say in administration decisions. • Directors can help sponsors determine if program goals are being met.

  48. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs ClientServices Program Enrollment Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • 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.

  49. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Client Services Referrals may be in response to a question about applying for a state’s child care subsidy or financial assistance program. Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs subsidy A grant or gift of money from a government to a private company, organization, or charity to help it function.

  50. Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs Client Services Parent or Family Handbooks Child Care Today,Chapter 10: Quality Early Childhood Programs • Most states require programs to inform parents of policies and procedures in writing. Family Involvement • Talk to family members at drop-off and pickup times; newsletters; progress reports, Web sites, e-mail; conferences; anytime visits. Community Referrals • Good directors are well acquainted with community services.

More Related