CHLD 190: Administration of Early Childhood Education Programs I

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2025
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Total Student Learning Hours: 162
Prerequisite: CHLD 112 and CHLD 114; CHLD 110 or CHLD 111 or PSY 206; Students who meet one of the following conditions may take this course: (1) Students who possess a California Child Development "Teacher" level permit on the statewide permit matrix or (2) Students with two years of work experience at the teacher level in early childhood education.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

This course is an introduction to the basic principles of administration of early childhood education programs. Includes specific topics of curriculum development and evaluation; staff selection, supervision and evaluation; laws and regulations; site development and supervision; budgeting and fiscal management; parent education; health and safety supervision; time management and problem solving techniques. This class meets state requirements for supervision of Title XXII preschool programs. This course is designed to fulfill three of the six semester units of administration required for the site supervisor permit. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Demonstrate how to represent the program effectively to families, the community, funding and oversight agencies, and others.
  • Compare and contrast various program structures, philosophies and curriculum models as the foundation for early childhood education. program development and administration within and across sites.
  • Develop policies for effective staffing, staff scheduling and write at least one job description for a position at an actual program.
  • Analyze an actual or sample program, define the areas of weakness and develop an in-service program to meet identified needs.
  • Identify, describe and analyze the general categories of laws and regulations that pertain to children.
  • Describe the budget process and develop a sample budget based on the needs of an actual or sample school.
  • Model ethically responsible, culturally- and linguistically-sensitive conduct and interactions with children, staff, families, board members and the community as related to program administration.

Major Course Content

  1. Curriculum Development and Evaluation
    1. Developing a philosophy of education
    2. Developing goals and objectives
    3. Assessment of children
    4. Daily activity plan
    5. Evaluation methods
  2. Personnel Issues
    1. Develop personnel policies
    2. Selection of staff
    3. Supervision and evaluation of staff
    4. In-service training
    5. Develop program handbook
  3. Fiscal Management
    1. Sources of funds
      1. Grant writing and Fundraising
      2. Budget management
    2. Selling programs
    3. Planning expenditures
    4. Fiscal management procedures
      1. Budget management
      2. Record keeping and fiscal reporting
      3. Monitoring and administering
  4. Health, Safety and Natural Needs
    1. Health education for staff/parents
    2. Health education for children
    3. Children's health records
    4. Maintaining a safe environment
    5. Community resources
    6. Health assessments and identification of delays
    7. Children with special needs
    8. Emergency procedures
  5. Reviews of Laws and Regulations
    1. Title XXII
    2. Title V
    3. Local rules and regulations
    4. Building codes
    5. Child abuse
    6. ADA
    7. Accreditation
    8. Food services
  6. Professional Organizations
    1. Purposes of professional organizations
    2. National professional organizations
    3. State professional organizations
    4. Local professional organizations
  7. Professionalism 
    1. NAEYC Ethical Code of Conduct 
    2. Diversity and inclusion 
    3. Cultural competence
    4. Interpersonal skills
    5. Multiple modes of communication
    6. Working with boards, families and community
  8. Strategic Planning
    1. Business plan
    2. Needs assessment
    3. Marketing plan
    4. Finances

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2021). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

WRITING ASSIGNMENT: Students will develop a budget for 1 year to demonstrate an understanding of categorical spending and restricted funds.

Examples of Outside Assignments

OUTSIDE ASSIGNMENT: Students will compare and contrast the various career opportunities after interviewing professionals currently working in the field of early childhood education

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture