Course Description
This course will focus on the development and administration of early care and education programs for ages birth through eight years. Best practice, quality programming, and program evaluation are examined. Management and leadership skills addressed include: leadership and advocacy, human relations, self awareness, staff management, family and community, public relations and marketing, eductaional programming, regulatory/legal requrirements, and fiscal management. Early childhood skills and knowledge topics include: child development, curriculum and instructional methods learning environments, health, safety and nutrition, classroom guidance, children with special needs, and professional development. (3 credits)
Prerequisite
- None
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Identify leadership skills and the behaviors of a child care administrator.
- Demonstrate, compare, and apply an understanding of child care regulations and accreditation criteria.
- Explain components and process of program and facility development.
- Examine various forms of organizational structures.
- Illustrate an understanding of fiscal management practices and interpretation of basic budget.
- Demonstrate educational programming within the framework of philosophy and practice including accommodating children with diverse needs and backgrounds.
- Analyze program policies and procedures for parents and personnel.
- Describe and discuss the components of a comprehensive program evaluation and show how evaluation data can be utilized for program planning.
- Examine various marketing and public relations tools.
- Describe the health, safety, and nutrition components of an early care program.
- Explore the meaning of professional ethics and the application of ethical practices.
- Investigate the use of technology in the administration, educational programming, and communication of program information.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Discussions (Weeks 1-8) | 25% |
Journals (Weeks 1-8) | 20% |
Individual Assignments (Weeks 1-8) | 20% |
Individual Project (Week 7) | 15% |
Midterm and Final Exams (Weeks 4 & 8) | 20% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore
- Feeney, Stephanie. Ethics and Early Childhood Educator. 3rd ed. NAEYC, 2018. ISBN-10: 1-938113-33-0 or ISBN-13: 978-1-938113-33-8
Note: This textbook is also required for ECE 205 and ECE 351. - Adams, S., Kronberg, A., Donley, M., and Lynch, E. Developing and Administering a Child Care and Education Program. 10th ed. Cengage Learning, 2022. ISBN-13: 978-0-357-51320-0
Additional Resources
- Regulations and application (most recent revisions) for the operation of a child care center/family day care center in the state the student resides.
- Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment, National Association for the Education of Young Children
Course Schedule
| Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1,3,11,12 | Topic: The Early Childhood Director / Establishing a Program
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2 | 2,4,6 | Topics: Licensing, Accreditation and Credentialing / Organizational Structure and Program Governance
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3 | 5,11 | Topics: Financial Matters and Program Funding and Sources
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4 | 3,6 | Topic: Facility Development
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Midterm Exam | |||
5 | 7,11 | Topics: Personnel and Personnel Development
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6 | 6,10,12 | Topics: Recruiting Children and Supporting Quality Curriculum
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7 | 7,9,10,12 | Topics: Health Safety and Families and Community
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8 | 8,9,11,12 | Topic: Program Evaluation and Marketing and Ethics
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Final Exam | |||
COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.