About this Course

In this course, you’ll gain an understanding of what it means to be an effective early care and education program leader. Whether your program is a center-based program or family child care home, it is essential that you strive to create a professional atmosphere within your setting. We’ll explore what it means to be a professional and how to help your staff achieve it, as well. Program leaders must be educated, familiar with research, aware of new evidence, and eager to embrace best practices. The environment you create impacts teacher-child interactions, family engagement, and program operation. This course will help guide you in your mission to create a successful, high-quality program, support fellow educators, and make a tremendous impact on the lives of children and families. The concept of reflective practices will be explored and used throughout the course. This idea will be emphasized in the culminating project. You will reflect on your work and connect it to the traits of highly-effective program leaders. Upon completion of this course you will receive your Leadership Development Certificate.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify yourself as an early childhood professional and understand the importance of collaboration and how to create a team approach to working with children.
• Create a positive work environment and learn to organize and establish systems to manage the many program policies and regulations related to operating an early learning program.
• Examine how the assessment cycle applies to teachers working with young children and leaders working with teachers and caregivers in their program. Understand the connection between teacher-child interactions, child assessments, and professional development opportunities.
• Learn about financial planning through the understanding of budgeting basics by considering quality standards, marketing strategies, creating a business plan, and exploring innovative ways to work with other programs.
• Connect and effectively engage with the families in your program. Recognize the importance of partnering with families through home visits and the need to create an environment where they feel respected, included, and free to share their ideas.
• Investigate “learning through discovery and play” and practice the steps for choosing a quality curriculum for your program. Reflect on your career goals and create your own professional development plan.
• Recognize ethical responsibilities and dilemmas, commit to the ethical standards of the profession, and become an advocate for the early learning profession.