This electronic textbook supports a required course at Bridgewater State University in the program of study for the Early Education and Care Birth-K major.  The course, ECPK 480 Childcare Programming, Administration, and Supervision, Birth-PreK, is taken concurrently with supervised field placements.  Student are teaching in a licensed childcare facility and have access to program documents.

ECPK 480 focuses on the information and skills necessary for operating, managing, and supervising high quality early childhood programs. Topics include: Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) licensing regulations, QRIS and NAEYC standards, establishing program policies, administrative responsibilities, fiscal management, staff supervision and development, program evaluation, family involvement and rights, hiring procedures, health and safety, environments, selection of materials, and community resources. The course meets the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) requirements for Director I certification.

Below is a graphic detailing the coursework students complete prior to taking this course.

The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) regulates childcare programs in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Bridgewater State University is located in MA.  In this course, students use the licensing regulations to understand the minimum standards for quality childcare.  An EEC License indicates that a program and its facilities have met standards for health, safety, supervision and staff training. Licensing requirements are the first-level of standards that should be considered when determining program quality.

An EEC license implies that:

• Programs are healthy, safe, and offer activities that help children develop and grow.
• Teachers are trained in first aid and are CPR certified.
• Teachers have specialized training in child development and curriculum implementation.
• Programs maintain appropriate ratios of teachers to children.
• Administrators hired employees after reviewing their criminal background check.

Almost all child care provided outside a child’s own home, whether it be in a center-based program, an after-school program, or in a family child care home, must be licensed or authorized by EEC.   Programs operated by a school district are not licensed by EEC.

To bridge the minimal standards of licensing with the NAEYC national standards for high quality, childcare programs in MA can use the Early Childhood Program Standards as a guide for ongoing development, evaluation, and improvement of preschool programs.  The standards in this document were developed to align with the NAEYC accreditation process and meet or exceed the licensing standards.  The Early Childhood Program Standards are in a checklist format to facilitate an annual evaluation process in a childcare program.

The documents listed below define quality at the three levels described above are used extensive through the course.

1. Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. (2010). Standards For The Licensure Or Approval Of Family Child Care; Small Group And School Age And Large Group And School Age Child Care Programs.
2. Massachusetts Department of Education. (2003, April).  Early Childhood Program Standards For Three and Four Year Olds Early Childhood.  Malden, MA:  Author. (See cover of document below)
3. National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2017)  NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and Accreditation Criteria & Guidance for Assessment Washington, DC:  Author.

To complete readings and challenges offered in the course, you will need to use the following documents so download them now!