STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 1. Demonstrate familiarity with Division of Child Care licensing requirements for the State of Colorado for Child Care Centers including: staff requirements, program requirements and administrative records requirements.

 2. Identify the Quality standards for programs for young children, using nationally recognized Quality Rating Systems, NAEYC Accreditation, Colorado Department Building Blocks.

 3. Compare the Colorado Department of Humans Services’ Rules for licensing child care centers, the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Accreditation Standards, and the Colorado Quality Standards for Early Childhood Programs.

 4. Demonstrate skills needed to operate an early childhood center

 5. Demonstrate basic knowledge of budget and finance related to the viability of a child care center

 6. Demonstrate skills needed to identify staff qualifications, including: Infant Nursery Supervisor, Toddler Teacher and Early Childhood Teacher in an early childhood setting and evaluate their associated job descriptions.

 7. Evaluate a staff handbook to determine if it complies with various laws . (e.g. ADA , IDEA, Workmen’s Comp, EEO, etc).

 8. Evaluate a parent handbook to determine compliance with licensing

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I. Administrative Overview

 a. Types of Programs

 b. History/Review of Child Care Licensing Rules and Regulations

 i. Purpose and development of licensing process

 ii. Review Colorado Rules and Regulations

 c. Identify Quality Standards for Programs

 i. Review quality standards such as NAEYC, Qualistar, Building Blocks, etc.

 ii. Identify why quality matters

 iii. Integration of optimal standards with licensing requirements

 II. Development/Operation of a Child Care Center

 a. Site selection

 i. Feasibility study – does it meet the needs of the community

 b. Program design

 i. Philosophy – Mission statement and Educational goals

 ii. Organizational infrastructure

 (1) Advisory board

 (2) Director

 (3) Staff

 iii. Program policies/practices

 (1) Ages of children being served

 (2) Operations (days and times open, etc.)

 (3) Licensing requirements

 1. Parent handbook

 2. Organization policy manual

 3. Staff handbook

 (4) Developing a budget

 1. Setting tuition rates

 2. Third party payers

 a. Child care subsidy (CCAP, CPP, DPP, etc.)

 b. Government subsidy (Head Start, CACFF, USDA, etc.)

 c. Grants

 d. Fundraising

 3. Salaries/compensation and benefits

 4. Operational costs

 5. Marketing

 (a) Facility

 i. Physical layout/design of classrooms and outdoor space

 ii. Equipment selection and ordering

 (b) Staffing

 i. Evaluating job descriptions

 ii. Recruiting/hiring/discharging

 iii. Writing and administering staff policies (staff handbooks)

 iv. Staff scheduling

 (c) Marketing child care services

 i. Advertising

 ii. Tours

 iii. Etc.

 III. Administrative Skills/Practices

 a. Conducting staff meetings

 b. Staff and client record keeping

 c. Reflective listening and conflict resolution

 IV. Resources, collaboration and advocacy

 a. Identify ECE professional resources

 b. Identify family and community resources to meet individual needs (Child Find, WIC, etc.)

 c. Connecting with support and information networks (CAEYC, director groups, etc.)

 d. Keeping abreast of current issues in the profession locally, statewide and nationally