Child Care Administration: Planning Quality Programs for Young Children

by Nelson, Linda

• ISBN13: 9781590706008
• ISBN10: 1590706005
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-09-01
• Publisher: GOODHEART WILCOX COMPANY

Summary

This colorful text explains what prospective directors need to do to start a child care program in their community. Steps are given in an easy-to-follow question-and-answer format. Management aspects of operating a successful center are featured in the second part of the text. This edition includes many new topics, and each chapter includes a list of references.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Organizing a Quality Child Care Program
Quality Child Care: Today's Growing Need	11	(18)
Why Is There a Growing Need for Child Care?	11	(3)
Why Is There a Need for Quality Child Care?	14	(1)
What Makes a Good Program?	15	(4)
What Will Be Your Role as the Director of a Center?	19	(3)
How Do I Open My Own Center?	22	(7)
Determining the Need for Child Care	29	(26)
What Are the Characteristics of My Community?	29	(6)
How Do I Obtain the Information I Need?	35	(3)
How Do I Analyze Needs and Predict Future Trends?	38	(1)
What Are the Different Types of Care?	39	(16)
Planning a Budget	55	(18)
Will the Program Be Sponsored?	55	(3)
Will the Program Be For-Profit or Not-For-Profit?	58	(1)
What Are Sources of Income?	59	(2)
What Are the Typical Costs of Child Care?	61	(1)
What Do I Need to Know About Developing a Budget?	62	(6)
How Do I Analyze the Budget?	68	(5)
Writing a Proposal or Business Plan	73	(22)
What Is a Proposal? A Business Plan?	73	(1)
Where Do I Find Sources of Grant Money?	74	(4)
How Do I Write a Proposal?	78	(7)
What Are Some Tips on Proposal Writing?	85	(4)
How Do I Write a Business Plan?	89	(6)
Governance of Child Care Programs	95	(16)
What Is Licensing? Why Is It Important?	95	(3)
What Are the Legal Concerns and Obligations of Operating a Program?	98	(3)
What Are Governing or Advisory Boards?	101	(4)
What Is Accreditation?	105	(6)
Facilities for a Quality Child Development Program	111	(34)
What Do I Need to Know About Choosing a Facility?	112	(6)
What Should I Consider When Modifying and Preparing a Facility for Quality Care?	118	(16)
How Do I Set Up a Successful Classroom?	134	(11)
Choosing Equipment and Supplies	145	(20)
What Should I Look for When Choosing Equipment?	145	(4)
What Equipment Do I Need to Get Started?	149	(10)
How Can I Get What I Need for the Center?	159	(6)
Selecting Appropriate Staff	165	(32)
What Kind of Person Do You Want to Work in Your Center?	165	(4)
How Do I Develop an Organizational Structure?	169	(7)
How Do I Find Good Staff?	176	(3)
How Will I Select the Best Applicant?	179	(11)
How Can I Help New Staff Get off to a Good Start?	190	(7)
Marketing and Planning for Enrollment	197	(26)
How Do I Let People Know About My Program?	197	(5)
How Can We Make the Center a Welcome Place for Parents?	202	(2)
What Do I Need to Do to Register and Enroll Children?	204	(6)
How Do I Determine the Best Group Arrangements?	210	(3)
How Can I Help Children and Families Adjust to Child Care?	213	(10)
The Daily Program	223	(22)
What Role Does Your Program's Philosophy Play in Program Planning?	223	(1)
What Needs Must Be Met Through the Daily Program?	224	(1)
What Should Be Included in the Daily Program?	224	(8)
Are There Some General Principles to Follow When Planning the Schedule?	232	(3)
How Does a Daily Schedule Look?	235	(1)
What Are Developmentally Appropriate Activities?	235	(2)
What Kinds of Guidance and Discipline Are Best for Young Children?	237	(8)
Part 2 Administering a Quality Child Care Program
You, the Director---A Complex Role	245	(24)
What Does a Director Have to Do?	245	(4)
What Management Style Works Best?	249	(1)
What Leadership Skills Will I Need?	250	(7)
How Can I Persuade Others to Support Our Program?	257	(4)
How Can I Be a Good Model for My Staff?	261	(8)
Maintaining Staff Morale and Stability	269	(24)
What Are Personnel Policies?	269	(9)
What Kinds of Personnel Actions May Be Necessary?	278	(2)
How Can I Support a Positive Working Environment for All Employees?	280	(13)
Administrative Concerns	293	(22)
How Should I Manage the Administrative Part of the Program?	293	(3)
What Kinds of Records Does the Agency Need to Keep?	296	(7)
Will a Computer Help Me?	303	(6)
Should We Do Fund-Raising	309	(6)
Decisions on Purchasing and Support Services	315	(20)
What Do I Need to Know About Financial Management?	315	(3)
What Financial Services Will I Need?	318	(1)
What Kinds of Purchasing Decisions Must Be Made?	319	(6)
Should the Program Offer Food or Transportation Services?	325	(10)
Making the Center a Safe and Healthy Place	335	(24)
How Do You Assure a Healthy and Safe Environment?	336	(4)
What Health and Safety Policies and Practices Should the Center Follow?	340	(14)
Why Does the Program Need a Health and Safety Committee?	354	(5)
Programs with Special Administrative Concerns	359	(24)
What Do I Need to Know About Infant and Toddler Programs?	360	(6)
What Do I Need to Know About School-Age Care?	366	(4)
What Do I Need to Know About Family Child Care?	370	(2)
What Other Types of Special Programs Might Be Offered?	372	(5)
What Other Services Might Be Offered by My Program?	377	(6)
Parents and the Child Care Program	383	(20)
How Will We Communicate with Parents?	383	(7)
How Can I Help Teachers and Parents Understand Each Other?	390	(2)
What Kinds of Parent Education Would Be Helpful?	392	(2)
How Can I Get Parents Involved with the Center?	394	(9)
Program Evaluation	403	(26)
Are Children Benefiting from the Program?	404	(11)
Are We Meeting the Needs of Families?	415	(1)
Are We Meeting the Needs of the Community?	415	(1)
Is Our Staff Continuing to Grow in Their Skills?	416	(2)
Are Our Fiscal Affairs and Reports in Order?	418	(3)
Do Other Professionals Think We Are Doing a Good Job?	421	(8)
Glossary	429	(8)
Index	437