This article focuses on the author's observation as child care licensor and licensing administrator that lead him to conclude that many child care directors just allow licensing visits to their centers to happen to them. Unfortunately, this reaction is not restricted to directors; staff members are often similarly disengaged. In the best cases,…

In the 1990s, employer child care operated by management organizations was consistently increasing at a rate of over 10% per year. However, since 2001, the growth rate has remained in the 4-6% range. In this article, the author presents differing views on the current trends and future prospects on employer child care. Ty Durekas, from Children's…

Too often, when child care center directors turn their attention to enhancing management skills, or connecting with someone who understands the day-to-day demands of the job, they are pulled back to the immediate needs of running their programs. Directors, often masters of multitasking, are increasingly turning to web-based technology to manage…

This article features Childgarden Child Development Center, located in the heart of St. Louis. It's a cheery, bright place with colorful self-portraits by pintsized Picassos hanging from every wall. More than 120 children aged six weeks to eight years old gather at Childgarden each day to learn all about themselves and the world around them. In…

For decades "Exchange" magazine has tracked the growth of the for profit child care sector. In this article, the author reflects on trends in the for profit sector over the past four decades. Overall, it has been a period of tremendous growth for the for profit sector. However, it has also been characterized by alternating periods of rapid growth,…

Debate is not only manageable in the classroom, it is also an effective and enjoyable learning activity. Debate in the content area classroom serves a dual purpose: students are exposed to a process that facilitates critical thinking and analytical skills, and debate serves as a device for authenticating and deepening subject area knowledge.…

Child care centers can be great institutions of learning and caring, if everyone pays attention to some important dimensions that also make them reasonable places to live. Children need a place where they have full use of their bodies and senses and enough freedom to take advantage of the variety of life, where they can find or invent the spaces…

Published annually since 1997, Newark Kids Count tracks key trends in child health and well-being in New Jersey's largest city with the latest statistics available. Newark Kids Count includes the latest statistics, along with five-year trend data, in the following areas: the state of children and families, family economic security, affordable…

Early childhood centers have become a common and necessary part of millions of Americans' lives. More women in the workforce, longer workweeks, and educational research supporting the importance of early education have all contributed to the rise of early childhood centers throughout the United States. Today, more than 30 percent of children under…

Childcare centers are business organizations and are subject to some of the same issues and problems as any small business. Many childcare administrators have little or no business training, and are unable to embrace change in order to help their programs survive economic problems. This article describes how one community saved their childcare…

Early learning standards are documents that outline expectations for preschool-age children's learning and development. Although states vary in what they call their standards, the documents all describe knowledge, skills, and/or characteristics expected of children before they enter kindergarten. In this article, the authors share what they…

There are days that the stress of administering a child care program outweighs the joys, unless the center director has good coping mechanisms. This article discusses how keeping a journal helps the author cope with the stress she is facing as a child care center director. The author defines a journal as a recorded account of the writer's…

Moving from a teaching position into an administration is not a smooth transition. The jobs are very different, with different tasks and responsibilities. When the author began directing, she had no idea what she was doing. It was her secretary, Dolores, who taught her how to do her job. In this article, the author reflects on her experiences when…

Family gatherings are an effective way to build meaningful partnerships between classrooms and families. Children learn best when they are in a supportive environment, one that meets the needs of the children, the needs of the families, and the needs of the staff of the child care center or school. The partnership-building process can be assisted…

Restorative methods seek to address problems by working with youth rather than doing things to them or for them. While individual teachers use such methods, a restorative school requires a consistent whole school approach. This article describes core principles for building restorative schools being implemented by Marist Youth Care in Sydney,…