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Part 1 Organizing a Quality Child Care Program
Perhaps you hope to open a center of your
own. This can bring a great deal of personal sat-
isfaction, but it may also entail additional work
and commitment, 1-7. Some of the personal
characteristics and resources needed to success-
fully own a center may be different from those
needed when you work for someone else.
Administering a Child Care
Program
A child care program needs a director who
has a broad overview of the total program,
whether it is large or small. It is the director
who “holds things together” and understands
how the different parts of the program relate to
one another. A teacher focuses primarily on the
classroom. The bookkeeper pays attention to the
financial records. However, it is the director
who must recognize how the budget relates to the cost of keeping the classroom in
operation. It is also the director who must be goal-oriented and able to guide the pro-
gram toward a successful future.
Responsibilities of the Director
In general, the responsibilities of a child care program director include
• providing leadership and overall organization for the program
• finding ways to provide adequate funding for the center
• choosing well-trained staff who can create a quality program for the children
• maintaining an awareness of community trends and family needs to plan
future direction for the program
• communicating clearly with staff and being aware of how things are going
throughout the program
• representing the program at various meetings and within the community
• evaluating and improving weak areas of the program
You will learn about each of these areas as you study the chapters in this book.
Personal Skills and Abilities Needed to Be a Director
It is helpful to examine your personality and abilities as you consider pursuing a
career in child care administration. In a small center, you may be handling the admin-
istrative tasks and working directly with the children. As your program grows, the
1-7 This director is proud of all the children and
families her program has served.