From survive to thrive : a director's guide for leading an early childhood program / Debbie LeeKeenan and Iris Chin Ponte.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

LeeKeenan, Debbie, author.

Ponte, Iris Chin, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Early childhood education--Management.

Early childhood education.

Educational leadership.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (178 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, DC : National Association for the Education of Young Children, [2018]

Summary:

Theory meets practical tips in this guide for leaders of early childhood programs.

Contents:

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1: What Does It Mean to Be a Director?

The Director as Both Manager and Leader

Know Yourself

Recognizing Your Personal Attributes

Identifying Your Leadership Traits

Practice Facilitative Leadership

Treat Teachers the Same Way You Expect Teachers to Treat Children

Give Yourself the Permission to Lead

Recognize What You Really Have Control Over

Chapter 2: Program Context and Culture

Reading and Understanding the Context of Your Program

Gather Information

Analyze the Information

Set Program Goals and Develop an Action Plan

Creating and Cultivating the Culture of Your Program

Strong Relationships

Meaningful and Effective Communication

A Welcoming Environment

Risk Taking, Reflection, and Growth

Chapter 3: Achieving and Maintaining Program Quality

Developing Policies and Procedures

Vision and Mission Statements

Organizational Chart

Safety Procedures

Identifying and Reporting Suspected Child Neglect and Abuse

Guidance and Discipline

Licensing Basics

Physical Space

Staff Education and Training Requirements

Health

The Licensing Process

Accreditation

Quality Rating Improvement Systems

The Flow of the Year: A Director's Big-Picture To-Do List

Chapter 4: Budget and Finances

Basic Budgeting Concepts

Identifying Revenue and Expenses

Developing Financial Policies and Procedures

Selecting a Financial Management System

Tips and Strategies for Preparing an Effective Budget

Be Transparent and Assume Accountability

Allow for Autonomy

Be Strategic

Be Flexible

Help! What Do I Do When My Budget Isn't Working?

Step 1: Find Out What's Wrong

Step 2: Reduce Your Expenses

Step 3: Speed the Inflow of Revenue

Step 4: Explore New Income Sources.

Keys to Successful Fundraising

Chapter 5: Program Curriculum

How Do You Decide the Best Curriculum Approach or Model for Your Program?

Curriculum Approaches

Packaged Curricula

Play-Based Learning

Emergent Curriculum

Project-Based Learning

Integrating Best Practices and Early Learning Standards

Supporting Your Teachers in Implementing Curriculum

When the Curriculum in Your Program Is Not Working

How Do Teachers Document Their Implementation of the Curriculum?

Ongoing Maintenance of a High-Quality Curriculum

Chapter 6: Observation, Assessment, and Documentation

Observation and Assessment

Program Assessment

How Am I Doing? Evaluating the Director

Assessing What Children Are Learning

What Is Documentation?

Moving Toward a Culture of Documentation

Practical Tips for Facilitating Documentation

Chapter 7: Staffing

Staffing Models and Scheduling

Hiring Great Teachers

Consider the Qualifications and Qualities You Need and Want

Advertising for Applicants

Interviewing Candidates

Retaining Great Teachers

Communicating with Staff

Teacher Observation and Evaluation

Supervising Teachers

Staff Meetings

Supporting Your Staff's Professional Development

Goal Setting to Empower Teachers

Ideas for Effective Professional Development

Managing Confrontations, Conflicts, and Challenges with Staff Members

Staff Dismissals: Having to Let Someone Go

Chapter 8: Working with Families

The Family's Role in Children's Learning and Development

The Director's Role in the Home-School Partnership

The Teacher's Role in the Home-School Partnership

Funds of Knowledge Approach

Welcoming Families to Your Program

Communicating with Families About the Program

Communicating with Families About Individual Learners

Using Technology to Communicate with Families.

Family Engagement

Family Goals Sheet

Home Visits and Visits Outside of the Center

Family Meetings and Conferences

Building Community Through Family Events

Managing Confrontations, Conflicts, and Challenges with Families

Conflict Between Program Staff and Families

Conflict Between Family Members in the Context of the Program

Chapter 9: Center Enrollment

Marketing, Advertising, and Recruiting

Market Research

Be Clear About Your Program's Mission, Philosophy, and Services

Marketing Tools and Avenues

Application and Admissions Process

Application Materials

Family Interviews

Admissions and Selection

Notification of Acceptance and Intake Forms

Conclusion: Balancing Act-Managing Your Role as the Director

Principle 1: Manage Your Time ... and Appreciate Its Returns

Principle 2: Learn to Let Go

Principle 3: Exercise "Rotated Neglect"

Principle 4: Make Time for Self-Care

Principle 5: Be a Lifelong Learner

Principle 6: Network

Principle 7: Be an Intentional Decision Maker

References

Acknowledgments

About the Authors.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781938113604

1938113608

OCLC:

1126212974