This course will prepare students for the roles and tasks required of Administrators or Supervisors of Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs. Students will examine the purpose and nature of ECE programs including but not limited to regulated and non-regulated programs at the local/ provincial and federal levels; human resources and financial management; operating and managing child care facilities in a legislative framework; and leadership, professionalism, networking, and advocacy.
Credits: 3
Hours: 45 (Lecture Hours: 45)
Prerequisites:
HDEC 100, HDEC 101, HDEC 102, HDEC 103, HDEC 104, ECEC 100, ECED 109A, ECED 101, ECED 110
Non-Course Prerequisites:
Criminal Record Check -Schedule B “works with children or works with children and vulnerable adults.” Admission to the Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma Program.
Pre- or Co-Requisites:
HDEC 121, ECEC 201
Course Content:
Understanding early childhood education programs
- Human resource and financial management
- Operating and managing child care centres in a legislative framework
- Leadership, networking and advocacy
Understanding early childhood education programs:
- Types of child care (regulated and non-regulated)
- Levels of government involved in child care
- Public policy and initiatives: national and international level
- Assessment and quality indicators
Human resource and financial management:
- Budgets and relationship to centre philosophy and vision
- Hiring, personnel policies and procedures, performance discipline
Operating and managing child care centres in a legislative framework:
- Governance: non-profit societies versus owner-operated centres
- Working with a Board of Directors or Owner/Operator
- Relevant legislation
- Risk management
- Management of physical space
- Program goals, planning and evaluation; relationship to philosophy/vision
- Scheduling (daily operation; staffing plan)
- Organizational policies and procedures
- Ethical decision making processes
Leadership, professionalism, networking and advocacy:
- Types of leadership and the effects on developing effective teams
- Family centred-care
- Collaborating with other professionals and community partners
- Types of advocacy; advocating for change, connection to philosophy/mission statement
- Beyond the ECE program: professional development, professional practice, networking
Learning Outcomes: The intention of this course is to familiarize students with the role of the Administrator in key areas of the operation and management of licensed child care programs, as well as to broaden their understanding of the scope of the Administrator’s role in advocating for change and participating in the ECE field. Upon successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate awareness of types of child care programs and the issues faced by Administrators
- Define the role of Administrators in establishing and maintaining a high quality licensed ECE program
- Demonstrate awareness of all levels of government as applicable to the operation of licensed child care facilities in British Columbia
- Apply relevant local, provincial and federal legislation in the operation/management of licensed child care facilities
- Describe how the philosophy of the program is consistent with the development, implementation, and evaluation of
program/management planning
- Demonstrate the ability to create daily schedules and staffing plans
- Demonstrate the ability to create short and long term planning goals
- Illustrate the Administrator's role working with a Board of Directors or owner of a licensed facility
- Demonstrate an understanding of the central importance of budgeting and financial planning of an early childhood program
- Evaluate administrative/operational policies and procedures
- Demonstrate understanding of types of advocacy and the ability to advocate for a relevant cause
- Describe and evaluate the role of the Administrator in creating networking and professional development opportunities
- Communicate clearly
- Use/analyze assessment tools
- Analyze risk factors
- Analyze challenging situations with staff and families
- Synthesize information
- Ability to organize and prioritize
- Analyze/identify budget income and expenditures
- Access community resources
- Ability to plan in compliance with relevant local, provincial and federal legislation
Grading System: Letter Grades
Passing Grade: C (60%)
Text Books: Textbooks are subject to change. Please contact the bookstore at your local campus for current book lists.