EDU 261 Early Childhood Administration I

Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Clinic: 0 Credits: 3

This course provides an overview of essential administrative components for managing early childhood programs, including child development, program frameworks, North Carolina child care rules and regulations, effective leadership practices, reflective supervision, and the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. Emphasis is placed on personnel management, financial planning, reflective supervision strategies, child development principles, ethical decision-making, and ensuring compliance with state regulations to maintain high-quality learning environments. Upon completion, students should be able to apply program standards, manage staffing and budgets, implement reflective supervision to support professional growth, integrate child development knowledge into program planning, uphold ethical responsibilities following the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct, and navigate regulatory requirements to support successful early childhood program operations.

Co-requisite(s): EDU 119 .
Course is typically offered in Fall and Spring.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
At completion of the course, the student should be able to do the following:

Develop a program philosophy, including views on child development, a mission statement, and program goals for an early childhood program.
Generate a center’s written budget.
Develop early childhood program policies and procedures in compliance with North Carolina regulatory standards.
Evaluate ethical dilemmas in early childhood settings using the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.
Design leadership strategies, including reflective supervision and staff management, that support professional development.