CHD270 ADMINISTRATION OF CHILDCARE PROGRAMS: MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES

Mariam Abubakar

1. CHILD DEVELOPMENT:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC, "Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving "bye bye" are called developmental milestones. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, behave, and move (crawling, walking, etc.)."

Websites 1. The Whole Child - ABCs of

Child Development - PBS 2.Timeline of Child Milestones,

Development Stages, & Signs - WebMD

CHECKLIST :

Age Skill Yes/ No

Demonstrating a reflexive grasp when objects are placed in hand.

0-6 months

Reaching for and grasping objects.

With controlled reach (6 months).

Holding objects in the palm of 2 hands (by 3 months) or palm of one hand (by 5 months).

Recovering an object dropped within their visual field, by feel, or hear it within reaching range.

2. FAMILY AND COMMUNITY:

Children achieve better when parents are involved. Teachers and parents area team. It is important to work together and have a positive relationship.

Some ideas: Have an open door policy. Invite parents to join the class. Ask parents for help. Parents can help by singing to the

class, making art project, and reading stories. Celebrate cultures of students and ask parents to help plan for events.

Send thank you letters with children's signatures or names.

example:

If we have an artist in the family, he/she can volunteer with art project.

3. CURRICULUM AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT:

Implement curriculum that is thoughtfully planned, challenging, engaging, developmentally appropriate, culturally and linguistically responsive, comprehensive, and likely to promote positive outcomes for all young children. Example, use Virginia Foundation Blocks for Early Learning when creating lesson plans.

www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/early.../foundationblocks.pdf

It is important to have calm and consistent environment for children.

Classrooms are where children spend most of their time.

Classroom reflect on teachers. Classroom of preschool

children should be attractive, interesting, inviting, and rich of opportunities. Classrooms should be arranged in ways that eliminate pumping into each other.

It should have different stations to support all developmental areas.

Curriculum Learning Environment

4. HEALTH AND SAFETY:

Children's health and safety are very important Children should be under adult supervision at all times Emergency forms should be regularly updated Center should follow guidelines to meet all requirement of health

and safety Staff should regularly practice hand watching Toys should be age appropriate and checked for safety hazards

daily Playground equipment safety should be checked regularly A good resource to ensure playground safety

The Dirty Dozen - National Recreation and Park Association

www.nrpa.org/Professional-Development/.../The-Dirty-Dozen/ All employ should take abuse and neglect training annually

Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognizing, Reporting, and Responding

www.dss.virginia.gov/family/cps/mandated_reporters/cws5691/

5. FISCAL MANAGEMENT :

It is very important to develop and follow a financial plan

Keep records especially ones mandated by law

Financial plan must meet children's needs It is a good idea to use software such as

ProCare Procare Softwarewww.procaresoftware.com/

Welcoming children and staff from different backgrounds and religions is beneficial. To support diversity, toys and books should reflect on different cultures. Inclusion of children with special needs will benefit children and teachers.

To avoid problems with licensing , it is important to be educated with laws. For example, It is required by the law to educate children with special needs in the same classrooms as nondisabled peers unless the nature of the disability makes education in regular classrooms cannot be achieved satisfactorily.

6. Professionalism: 7. Legal issues:

8. PERSONAL:

Job Description of a teacher aid: Assist staff with both long and short range activities in

accordance with curriculum objectives, developmentally appropriate practice and program philosophy.

Maintain daily open communication with parents Maintain confidentiality Report any suspect abuse to supervisor Arrange a classroom environment in accordance to program

goals and philosophy Maintain a safe and healthy environment Inspect and replace damaged or lost materials Attend inservice and staff meetings Keep all appropriate records such as records, attendance

and time sheets. Meet all applicable liscensing regulations

9. LEADERSHIP:

Examples of early childhood professional organizations :

1. National Child Care Associationwww.nccanet.org/2.

National Association for the Education of Young Children | NAEYC

www.naeyc.org/3.

National Association of Child Care Professionals (NACCP ...

www.volunteermatch.org/search/org50966.jsp

THE END

FINAL REFLECTION ON THE ARTIFACT:

This assignment relates to NAEYC Professional Standard 6: Becoming a professional. I was able to practice and demonstrate my abilities in managing an early childhood program. I was able to cover all the important areas such as child development, family and community, curriculum, and health and safety.