Day Care Administrator

288 In Classroom Hours / 52 Online Hours

Become familiar with the development and management of a child daycare center, including such elements as child development theories, legal considerations, bookkeeping, staffing, site management, and parental involvement. In this course, you will explore theories in managing a child development center, reflective management, fiscal management, and more.

The goal of a quality day care facility is to provide child care that meets the needs of each child and family in a safe, educational environment. At a quality center, the workers and management strive to meet the individual needs of each child, while providing quality, reliable and safe child care.

Course Outline:

Lesson 1: Managing Children's Centers in the 21st Century

In this lesson we will discuss the challenges and trends in the modern Childcare Center industry.  We will define standard terms, explore core competencies required, identify stages of professional development required for center directors, and discuss population trends that influence early care and education.

Lesson 2: Types of Child Development Programs

In this lesson, we will explore 5 types of child care programs, comparing and contrasting them.  In addition, we will discuss financing methods for child development programs and the advantages and disadvantages of each.  Finally, we will become familiar with a systems approach to providing child care services.

Lesson 3: Applying Theories in Managing a Child Development Center

In this lesson we will become familiar with and discuss a variety of methods for managing a child development center.  We will discuss the importance of theory and describe 4 types of child development theories as well as how they are applied by child care managers.  In addition, we will discuss 5 management processes and the ecological systems framework.

Lesson 4: Reflective Management

In this lesson, we will examine the importance of self-reflection in effective management, management and leadership styles, emotional intelligence, types of decisions, and prioritization.

Lesson 5: Organizational Management

In this Lesson we will discuss organizational management and stakeholders, including a working knowledge of the many regulatory systems governing program operation, an understanding of the reasons for the regulations, and the ability to manage the program within those constraints.

Lesson 6: Fiscal Management

In this lesson, we will discuss resources needed to start and maintain a child development program, sources of funding, costs, and budgeting.  In addition, we will discuss the relationship among parents, staff, salaries, and quality of care.  Finally, we will identify strategies for managing finances of a child development center.

Lesson 7: Personnel Management

In this lesson we will discuss the steps involved in the job design process.  We will discuss the role of authority, organizational structure, and span of control in coordinating the jobs in a child development center.  In addition, we will overview the steps involved in staffing a child development center.

Lesson 8: Human Relations

In this lesson, we will discuss the motivation of staff, as well as the importance of understanding their needs and desires.  We will become familiar with techniques that foster effective communication with and among staff members.  In addition, we will discuss the importance of professional development along with the elements of a performance appraisal system.

Lesson 9: Facilities Management

In this lesson, we will discuss the considerations and day to day practicalities of managing facilities, including upkeep, location needs, building codes, and custodial issues.

Lesson 10: Managing Health and Safety Issues

In this lesson, we will discuss health and safety codes, worker-child ratios, the safety of equipment and facilities, background checks and legal considerations for workers, infection control, and other issues related to health and safety in the child care environment.

Lesson 11: Managing Food Service

In this lesson, we will discuss food service options for a child care center, child nutrition, food storage, budgeting and cost, guidelines for families, and food allergy considerations.

Lesson 12: Educational Programming

In this lesson, we will discuss the major approaches to learning and education in early childhood, including philosophies of child learning, common learning programs, and standards and objectives related to learning in the child care environment.

Lesson 13: Family Engagement

In this chapter, we will discuss the role of families in the child care environment.  Topics discussed will include family and parental involvement, volunteerism, legal considerations, and family/staff interaction.

Lesson 14: Marketing and Public Relations

In this lesson, we will discuss various methods of marketing the child care, including offline marketing, social media, online marketing, word of mouth, and promotion.

Lesson 15: Assessment and Evaluation

In this lesson, we will discuss the importance of excellence along with various means of assessment and evaluation, including surveys, objective assessments, standards-based assessments, and data-driven changes to a program.

All necessary materials are included.

Certification(s):

This course prepares students for the Council for Professional Recognition Child Development Associate (CDA) certification exam.

Grading System:

Student must pass all quizzes, exams, and national exam (if applicable) at a passing rate to be eligible for a Certificate of Training Completion. If an internship is included in your course you will be required to complete the internship prior to receiving a Certificate of Training Completion.

Attendance:

Students are expected to arrive on time and participate in course discussions. Successful completion of the course of study recommends 100% attendance. If during the course period the student’s attendance level drops below 80%, they will be encouraged and given the opportunity to attend the next scheduled class for the course they enrolled in. Should materials change, student is responsible for all additional cost.

Payment Plan Policy:

Students may withdraw from the program for any reason up to 1 week prior to the start of program. In this case, the student’s payment plan agreement shall be rescinded. If the payment plan has begun a non-refundable administrative fee of $25.00 will be assessed and remaining funds will be returned to payer in check form by mail.

No Refund Policy:

No refund for course, once the first class has been concluded. If extenuating circumstances exist, case by case situations will be reviewed by ProTrain. If refund is issued, refunded amount will be dependent upon books being returned in excellent condition (i.e. no writing, missing pages; ripped or damage to pages and/or binding).

Re-Admission Policy:

Any student who has dropped out of the program, or has been suspended from the program for nonattendance may be readmitted within one year by completing a personal interview with the director of education and paying any applicable fees at the time of readmission. Students who were terminated due to conduct issues are not eligible to be readmitted.

Policy on Student Conduct:

Appropriate Conduct: All students are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly and professional manner. Any student not conducting themselves in an orderly and professional manner, which includes use of drugs and alcohol during school hours, dishonesty, disrupting classes, use of profanity, excessive tardiness, insubordination, violation of safety rules, improper usage of lab or classroom computers, or not abiding by the school rules will lead to either probation or dismissal from classes.