Author: Linda S. Nelson, Ph.D., Alan E. Nelson, Ed.D., Jane Humphries, and Kari Rains

Administering and Supervising Programs for Young Children is written for current and future educators who want to become administrators for a child care program for young children ages 0-8 years of age. With an emphasis of play as a key philosophy, this text will give guidance on organizing and administering a child care program . For current administrators, this book will offer insight in how to improve their program while offering concrete ways to incorporate NAEYC’s Developmentally Appropriate Practices and Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators. This text divides the content into two units that focus on organizing a program and administering a program. In the first unit there is a focus on what makes a quality child care program, including characteristics, licensing concerns, facilities, equipment and supplies, staffing, budgeting, and marketing. The second unit focuses on creating and integrating a philosophy for the program that serves and supports the community, the children and their families, and facility staff and administration.

Table of Contents

Abbreviated Contents

Administering and Supervising Programs for Young Children, Online Textbook

• Administering and Supervising Programs for Young Children
• Copyright © 2025 by The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc.
• Preface
• About the Authors
• Reviewers
• Tools for Student and Instructor Success
• • Student Tools
  • Instructor Tools
• Guided Tour
• • Chapter Opening Materials
  • Director’s Showcase
  • Illustrations
  • End-of-Chapter Content
• Brief Contents
• Contents
• Feature Contents
• • Director’s Showcase
• Unit 1 Establishing a Quality Child Care Program
• Chapter 1 Quality Child Care: A Critical Need
• • Chapter 1 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 1 Key Terms
  • Chapter 1 NAEYC/DAP standards
  • Chapter 1 Introduction
  • 1.1 Societal Trends and the Need for Child Care
  • 1.2 Community and Economic Considerations
  • 1.3 Types of Early Childhood Programs
  • 1.4 The Early Childhood Program Leader
  • Chapter 1 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 2 Child Care Programs
• • Chapter 2 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 2 Key Terms
  • Chapter 2 NAEYC/DAP standards
  • Chapter 2 Introduction
  • 2.1 Characteristics of a Quality Child Care Program
  • 2.2 Universal Program Practices
  • 2.3 Elements of Age-Appropriate Programming
  • 2.4 Family Child Care Home
  • Chapter 2 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 3 Governance of Child Care Programs
• • Chapter 3 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 3 Key Terms
  • Chapter 3 NAEYC/DAP standards
  • Chapter 3 Introduction
  • 3.1 Why Is Regulatory Oversight Important?
  • 3.2 Legal Concerns and Obligations of Operating a Program
  • 3.3 Quality Rating Systems
  • 3.4 National Accreditation
  • Chapter 3 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 4 Facilities, Equipment, and Curriculum
• • Chapter 4 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 4 Key Terms
  • Chapter 4 NAEYC/DAP standards
  • Chapter 4 Introduction
  • 4.1 Guidelines for Indoor and Outdoor Environments
  • 4.2 Equipment Needs for Successful Indoor and Outdoor Spaces
  • 4.3 Choosing Equipment for Varying Ages
  • 4.4 Curriculum Considerations for Varying Ages
  • Chapter 4 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 5 Staffing Costs and Considerations
• • Chapter 5 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 5 Key Terms
  • Chapter 5 Introduction
  • 5.1 Characteristics of Quality Child Care Staff
  • 5.2 Organizational Structure
  • 5.3 Job Descriptions
  • 5.4 Staff Recruitment
  • 5.5 Selecting the Best Applicant
  • 5.6 Staff Orientation
  • Chapter 5 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 6 Budget and Finance
• • Chapter 6 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 6 Key Terms
  • Chapter 6 NAEYC/DAP standards
  • Chapter 6 Introduction
  • 6.1 Financial Planning for a New Program
  • 6.2 For-Profit and Not-For-Profit Status
  • 6.3 Developing a Budget
  • 6.4 Budget Analyzing
  • 6.5 Financial Management
  • 6.6 Needed Financial Services
  • 6.7 Purchasing Decisions
  • Chapter 6 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 7 Marketing and Planning for Enrollment
• • Chapter 7 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 7 Key Terms
  • Chapter 7 NAEYC/DAP standards
  • Chapter 7 Introduction
  • 7.1 Public Relations and Marketing
  • 7.2 Making the Program a Welcome Place for Parents
  • 7.3 Helping Parents Help Their Children
  • 7.4 Helping Children and Families Adjust
  • Chapter 7 Review and Assessment
• Unit 2 Administering a Quality Child Care Program
• Chapter 8 Educational Programming
• • Chapter 8 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 8 Key Terms
  • Chapter 8 NAEYC/DAP standards
  • Chapter 8 Introduction
  • 8.1 Program Strategies Supporting Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum
  • 8.2 Learning for All Ages Through Play
  • 8.3 General Principles When Planning Daily Schedules
  • 8.4 Appropriate Guidance Strategies for Young Children
  • Chapter 8 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 9 Maintaining a Safe and Healthy Program
• • Chapter 9 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 9 Key Terms
  • Chapter 9 NAEYC/DAP standards
  • Chapter 9 Introduction
  • 9.1 Planning for a Healthy and Safe Environment
  • 9.2 Establishing and Following Child Care Health Policies and Practices
  • 9.3 Food Safety and Proper Nutrition
  • 9.4 Meeting the Special Health Needs of Children and Staff
  • 9.5 Preparing for Emergencies
  • 9.6 Policies Concerning Child Endangerment and Abuse
  • 9.7 Why Does the Program Need a Health and Safety Committee?
  • Chapter 9 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 10 Engaging and Supporting Families
• • Chapter 10 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 10 Key Terms
  • Chapter 10 NAEYC/DAP standards
  • Chapter 10 Introduction
  • 10.1 The Communication-Engagement Connection
  • 10.2 Strategies for Effective Communication
  • 10.3 Supporting Your Families and Caregivers
  • 10.4 Engaging Families and Caregivers
  • Chapter 10 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 11 The Complex Role of Leading Others
• • Chapter 11 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 11 Key Terms
  • Chapter 11 NAEYC/DAP standards
  • Chapter 11 Introduction
  • 11.1 Leadership Skills and Characteristics
  • 11.2 Building and Maintaining a Healthy Organizational Climate
  • 11.3 Roles and Responsibilities of the Early Childhood Leader
  • 11.4 Utilizing the NAEYC Code of Ethics
  • Chapter 11 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 12 Supervising and Supporting Program Staff
• • Chapter 12 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 12 Key Terms
  • Chapter 12 NAEYC/DAP standards
  • Chapter 12 Introduction
  • 12.1 What Are Personnel Policies?
  • 12.2 What Kinds of Personnel Actions May Be Necessary?
  • 12.3 How Can I Support a Positive Working Environment?
  • Chapter 12 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 13 Managing People and Setting Expectations
• • Chapter 13 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 13 Key Terms
  • Chapter 13 NAEYC/DAP standards
  • Chapter 13 Introduction
  • 13.1 Workplace Relationships
  • 13.2 Conflict in Healthy Workplace Environments
  • 13.3 Conflict-Resolution Partnerships
  • 13.4 Establishing Policies and Procedures
  • 13.5 Workplace Gossip and Bullying
  • Chapter 13 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 14 Supports for Director Success
• • Chapter 14 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 14 Key Terms
  • Chapter 14 NAEYC/DAP standards
  • Chapter 14 Introduction
  • 14.1 Establishing Professional Boundaries
  • 14.2 Recognizing the Daily Stress of Managing Programs
  • 14.3 Creating a Healthy Program Environment for All to Thrive
  • 14.4 Health and Mental Wellness Supports
  • Chapter 14 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 15 Program Evaluation to Support Quality Improvement
• • Chapter 15 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 15 Key Terms
  • Chapter 15 NAEYC/DAP standards
  • Chapter 15 Introduction
  • 15.1 Program Benefits for Children
  • 15.2 Meeting the Needs of Families and the Community
  • 15.3 Supporting Staff in Their Professional Development
  • 15.4 Measuring Administrative Success
  • 15.5 Quality Rating System Initiatives
  • Chapter 15 Review and Assessment
• References
• • Chapter 1 References
  • Chapter 2 References
  • Chapter 3 References
  • Chapter 4 References
  • Chapter 5 References
  • Chapter 6 References
  • Chapter 8 References
  • Chapter 9 References
  • Chapter 11 References
  • Chapter 12 References
  • Chapter 13 References
  • Chapter 15 References
• For Further Reading
• • Chapter 1 Further Reading
  • Chapter 2 Further Reading
  • Chapter 3 Further Reading
  • Chapter 4 Further Reading
  • Chapter 5 Further Reading
  • Chapter 7 Further Reading
  • Chapter 9 Further Reading
  • Chapter 10 Further Reading
  • Chapter 12 Further Reading
  • Chapter 14 Further Reading
• Glossary
• • A
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• Index
• • A
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