KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY
Department of Elementary Education
ELU 420 – Administration Of Programs For Young Children
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to provide the knowledge-base necessary for administering and directing
diverse early childhood programs. The roles and duties of the administrator, budgets, personnel,
environmental factors and public awareness are addressed through projects and readings.
Through both field experiences and research, alternative models of early childhood programs are
explored. 3 s.h. 3 c.h.
RATIONALE
The goal of many early childhood educators is to design, implement and direct a
developmentally-appropriate early childhood program. Many Early Childhood graduates have
the minimal requirements necessary to become administrators or directors of early childhood
programs. The National Academy of Early Childhood Programs in its position statement
recommends that “the chief administrative officer has training and/or experience relevant to early
childhood program administration such as human resource and financial management.” With
this course, the student will be prepared to function and perform effectively the required roles
and duties of a director of a child care center.
OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Recognize and define the importance and responsibilities of the administrator’s role in
the school and as a life long learner.
Determine and implement developmentally-appropriate goals and programs reflecting
diversity for infants through school-age children.
Develop a financial management system.
Assess and design staffing needs for a program.
Determine and evaluate environmental factors necessary to the functioning of a
multicultural anti-bias approach to the educational program.
Design and communicate information about the school, staff and students to enhance
parental and public awareness.
ASSESSMENT
Assessment of each teacher candidate’s level of accomplishment with reference to the course
objectives will be based upon a subset of the following:
1. Current issue discussions
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
School board meeting report
Interview of director / administrator of child care center or school
Written report of director / administrator interview
Design of educational facility
Create business plan for new center / school
Participation in class and discussions
COURSE OUTLINE
I.
Roles of the Administrator
A.
Manager
B.
Organizer
C.
Evaluator
D.
Communicator
E.
Legislative awareness
F.
Life long learner
II.
Programs
A.
Historical perspectives of early childhood programs
B.
Models of early childhood programs
C.
Philosophy, goals and objectives of diverse early childhood programs
D.
Developmental characteristics of infant/toddler programs
E.
Developmental characteristics of preschool program
F.
Developmental characteristics of school-age program
G.
Family-based multi-age program
H.
Alternative early childhood educational programs
I.
Accreditation and certification of program
J.
Current trends
III.
Financial Management
A.
Personnel
B.
Discretionary expenses
C.
Fixed expenses
D.
Income
E.
Grant writing
IV.
Staffing
A.
Staff selection
B.
Training
C.
Mentoring and supervision
D.
Child Development Assessment (CDA)
E.
Evaluation
F.
Volunteers
V.
Environmental Factors
A.
Needs assessment
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B.
C.
D.
E.
VI.
Size and location of facility
Indoor/outdoor space
Health, nutrition and safety
Regulations
Public Relations
A.
Parent involvement
B.
Parent handbook
C.
Program brochure
D.
Community awareness
E.
Advocacy
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Instructional Resources
Amanna, P. (1993). Developing an Administration and Supervision Training
Program for Directors of Early Childhood Programs at a Local College.
Nova University: Eric Database, Document ED366435.
Berger, E.H. (2004). Parents as Partners in Education: Families and Schools
Working Together. 6th Edition, New York, NY: Maxwill Macmillan
International.
Biagojevic, B. (2003). Funding Technology: Does it Make Cents? Young
Children, 58(6) 28-33.
Bondurant-Utz, J. (2002). The Practical Guide to Assessing Infants and
Preschoolers with Special Needs. Columbus, OH: Merrill.
Bredekamp, S. (1992). Composing a Profession. Young Children, 47 (2), 52-54.
Bredekamp, S. and Copple, C. ed. (1997). Developmentally Appropriate Practice
in Early Childhood Programs, (revised edition). Washington, DC: NAEYC.
Bush, J. (2001). Dollars and Sense: Planning for Profit in Your Child Care
Business. Clifton Park, NY: Thomson.
Calvert, P. (1994). Making the Switch: One's School Evolution from CEO to
Community-Based Management. Montessori Life, 6 (2), 24-25.
Capone, A. (2003). Children with Speicial Nees In Early Childhood Settings.
Clifton Park, NY: Thomson.
Cianciolo, S. with Trueblood, R. and Allingham, P. (2004). Health Consultation in
Early Childhood Settings. Young Children, 59(2) 56-61.
Click, P. (2004). Administration of Programs for Young Children, 6th Edition. Clifton Park,
NY: Thomson.
Colbert, S. (2004). Building on Licensing Requirements to Create Positive Early
Childhood Environments. Early Childhood News. 16(2), 22-27.
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Envirornments. Clifton Park, NY: Thomson.
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USA. Baltimore, MD: Brookes.
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Revised 8/2005
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