1. The Director: A Broad View
Chapter 1
The Director: A Broad View

2. Child Care in the United States: A Brief History
Child Care Trends
Modern day reality

3. Management
A successful program includes learning how to run a business.
Use management software for maximum efficiency.
Maintain a balanced budget.
Establish marketing and public relations strategies.
Know and implement licensing standards.

4. Management-Continued
Be aware of legal issues.
Develop a work plan.
Identify strengths and weakness.

5. Leadership
Leadership is setting a direction or vision for a group to follow.
The five “C’s” of leadership are:
Character
Caring
Commitment
Confidence
Communication

6. Leadership-Continued
To lead or to manage?
Differences between what leaders and managers do.

7. Organization
Delegating responsibilities is necessary in order to accomplish all the tasks required of a director.
Time must be used efficiently: Set priorities, plan ahead for emergencies, use a computer for record keeping.
Both short-and long-term planning are important for the smooth operation of a facility.

8. Communication
Verbal messages are sometimes misunderstood or not heard.
Nonverbal messages (facial expressions, movements, eye contact, distance) are subtle communications and are not always noticed by everyone.

9. Communication-Continued
Prevent problems in communication by:
Knowing what you want to convey.
Considering when to convey the message.
Allowing enough time for feedback.
Deciding where the message is to be given.
Deciding how to present the message.
Doing a follow-up, if necessary.

10. Communication-Continued
Part of being an effective communicator is the ability to listen while others speak.
Written reports are required for some kinds of messages:
Reports concerning finances: cash flow, budgets.
Newsletters for parents.
Memos or notices when changes are to take place
Letters to give positive reinforcement.

11. Ethical Practices
There is a need for guideline to help in difficult situations.
NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
Responsibility to children
Responsibility to families
Responsibility to colleagues
Responsibilities to community and society

12. Professional Development
Directors go through several career stages:
Survival
Competence building
Enthusiastic and growing
Career frustrations
Reflective and inspiring
Career winding down

13. Professional Development-Continued
Administrative Credential
There is a need for an administrative credential.
The state of Illinois has developed the credential.
Associate degree for Level I
Baccalaureate degree for Level II
Master’s degree or other advanced degree for Level III

14. The Director’s Evaluation
Self-assessment is important.
Assessment tools include an evaluation sheet or rating scale.

15. The Director’s Relation to Boards of Directors
Board type and composition.
Board duties.
Corporations and the chain of command.