The increased demand for high quality infant/toddler, preschool, and early elementary care for children has produced significant changes in the field of early childhood education, including the demand for well educated and trained early childhood educators. Paralleling that demand is the need for professionals trained in the administration of early childhood education centers, childcare facilities, advocacy agencies, and related organizations.

Administering and managing these facilities is an enormous task that takes advanced knowledge from a range of areas to be successful. The successful administrator needs the knowledge and abilities to adequately and effectively evaluate the qualifications and performance of employees, develop sound personnel practices, oversee the purchase, care and maintenance of equipment, develop and evaluate sound curricula, cultivate and maintain professional relationships with parents, staff and colleagues, and respond sensitively to the diverse needs of children, their parents, and staff.

The Early Childhood Leadership Institute, in collaboration with the UDC Division of Arts and Education and the District of Columbia's Department of Human Services' Office of Early Childhood Development, has responded to this growing need by developing two alternative programs: a graduate early childhood program administration concentration within the Early Childhood Education Master's of Arts program, and a 15-credit, 5-course certificate program, Director Credential, available for early childhood care and education directors, supervisors, and education coordinators who do not wish to seek a degree. The Director Credential program fulfills the requirements for Level IV of the Early Childhood Registry for the District of Columbia, joining many states that require such specialized training for this important position. Studies have found that one-year programs boost directors' confidence and positively impact program quality.

Program Description

Students will develop advanced knowledge and skills in administration, supervision, leadership, and interpersonal communication as well as obtain related knowledge in the financial, legal and public policy aspects of childcare. The program requires successful completion of 15 credit hours, including enrollment in the anchor course of the program, Taking Charge of Change. Students are in cohorts for the majority of the courses, learning together in active, collaborative approaches, as they synthesize and apply theory and research to practice, as well as utilize practice to further their study of real problems and issues in which they engage daily. The five undergraduate courses are:

• Taking Charge of Change (1319-295):

Focuses on the nature of individual, organizational and systemic change and the child care center director's role as a change agent. A comprehensive, integrated model for improving the quality of early childhood programs will be presented, and the strategies are intended to lead toward NAEYC accreditation. Program improvement Plans will be developed, to be implemented at the participant's respective centers.

• Supervision in Early Childhood Education Settings (1319-508):

Focuses on aspects of staff development, supervision and adult learning; individual professional development as well as group staff development plans will be explored.

• Fiscal Management of Child Development Centers (1319-295):

Budgeting and its impact on programs and policies. Specific financial management tools are discussed with fundraising, grant writing and administration, and the use of local and federal resources.

• Planning and Administration of Early Childhood Programs (1319-224):

Discusses guidelines to achieve quality programming for early childhood programs. Focuses on effective interpersonal communication skills in program management; principles of management and operation; and designing and scheduling appropriate space and activities.

• Understanding Self and Relations (1319-207) :

Practical application of leadership to situations involving administrative competencies in conflict management, communication, goal setting, team building, and decision-making. Advocacy will also be emphasized. Key interpersonal leadership skills will be practiced.