Many first-time early childhood administrators take on their role as leaders and managers filled with enthusiasm and eagerness to make a meaningful contribution to high-quality interactions and strong relationships with children, families and staff in their child care programs. Strong leadership and managerial skills are required to approach the immense and complex responsibilities of supporting and supervising a high-quality child care program, and many administrators are just beginning on their skill-building journey.
Leading the Way: A Professional Learning Community was created by the NC Birth-to-Three Quality Initiative to help new administrators better understand and achieve their goals. Leading the Way helps administrators develop the leadership skills needed to foster, oversee and sustain a child care program whose culture makes a positive impact in the lives of children and in the community. This goal is achieved through professional development events and peer-to-peer coaching.
Over several months, administrators will explore various researched topics from The Director’s Toolbox Management Series for Early Childhood Administrators authored by Dr. Paula Jorde Bloom, founder of the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership. Participants engage in thought-provoking exercises and self-reflection to better understand and develop their leadership abilities. The peer-to-peer coaching sessions enable administrators to collaborate and gain insight into how they may improve as leaders. They also share strategies to address common challenges. After completing the program, administrators receive 27 DCDEE-approved credit hours.
