COVID Update

“Live in front of a studio audience!”

Our popular 4-day course continues in 2022 as both an in-person and virtual event. For those who feel comfortable attending the in-person course, limited space will be made available at our training facility in Flower Mound, Texas. For those who wish to participate virtually, you can participate via Zoom. 

*Requirements for Virtual Learning 

In order to participate in our virtual class, the following requirements must be met by each participant.

• Participant must have a working computer with sound.
• Participant must have reliable internet.
• Participant must be fully focused on the class and must be free from other assignments and duties. You cannot be in your car or mobile. The assumption is that you are sitting in the classroom with the instructor. Absolultely no exceptions are made to this requirement. 
• Participant must be free from other distractions, such as children and/or caring for other individuals.
• Participant must be signed into each webinar for the entire length of the course. Partial participation is not allowed.
• Participant is required to participate in conversations, questions and polls.
• Attendance will be taken randomly throughout the course. Participant must acknowledge their presence when called upon.
• Participant must participate using their computer. Attendance via phone is not allowed.  
  

Competencies

1. To provide a comprehensive administrative training program in which an administrative (directors) credential is awarded.
2. To develop well-qualified, trained, and experienced individuals who have a passion for children and who have the necessary administrative, educational, and technical skills to direct and care for a licensed child care center or school.
3. To make available a formal process by which individuals can document the experience and acquire the knowledge required to meet the minimum standards for directors as mandated by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
4. To encourage individual growth and development in all aspects of management and operations, to improve and provide the highest possible quality of programs for young children.
5. To promote professionalism in the field of early care and education and give managers the tools to do the same with their staff.

Directors Credential Course Training Outline

1.  Administration

The Role of the Director – review job description

Creating and Writing a Mission Statement – group activity

Having a passion for early care and education – define why you work with young children

Making important decisions – importance of good judgment

Creating and managing budgets – group activity

Tuition policies – writing and implementing policies

Salary management – managing quality and payroll

Staff schedules and assignments – maintain quality, ratios, and group sizes

Maintaining a positive revenue – maintaining a positive bottom line

Stress management  - competency, good judgment, and self control

Time management checklist  - making the most of your day

Creating professional development – writing training plans

2. Minimum Standards and Current Legal Issues in Child Care

Current legal trends

Complete overview of minimum standards

Supervision of staff and children – how to supervise staff and children

Recognizing and report abuse and neglect

Types of ownership

Writing and enforcing policies and procedures review sample policy manual

Record keeping – recording keeping and timelines

Risk management and insurance

3. Building Professional Relationships with Staff

Creating and writing personnel policies - review sample personnel policies

Delegating responsibility and follow up

Dealing with difficult employees - conflict resolution

Retaining and motivating staff

Documentation and termination role playing and legal issues discussed

4. Early Child Development and Age-Appropriate Activities

Quality assurance checklist

Teacher-Child Interactions

Process and Product – focus on what children are learning, not end result

General Responsibilities of child care staff – minimum standards

Writing and creating age-appropriate activities in the preschool classroom – review DAP

Physical environment – classroom room arrangements

Schedules and routines

Transitions

Lesson and activity plans

Positive guidance

Safety and supervision

Health and nutrition

Working with special needs children

5. Professional Relationships with Parents

Family involvement

Parents as partners

Successful communication techniques

Creating and promoting community resources

Importance and parent/teacher conferences

6. Overview of  Code of Ethics