As an early childhood professional for 30 years operating both traditional and employer child care programs, the author believes that traditional center owners and operators have an opportunity to grow their business, serve more children and families, and stay relevant for future workforce needs by integrating employer child care practices into…

In an era of early learning standards, packaged curriculums, and state quality rating systems, many directors lament that the accountability movement has sapped the creativity out of their programs. They say their teachers feel constricted, as though their own good ideas just don't matter anymore. Not true. In fact, it's more vital than ever to…

Very few people in early years would dispute that the success of a child care centre is almost entirely down to the strength of the centre manager. At its most successful, management expands to leadership, where leaders are able to influence the behaviour of others for the purpose of achieving a goal. Leaders develop a special set of rather…

Flu viruses are typically spread by droplets, when people who are sick with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. Less often, a person may get flu from touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching his own mouth, eyes, or nose. Flu can cause mild to severe illness and may even lead to death. Child care providers are at risk of…

Today, technology can be used to engage and communicate with others in ever-expanding ways. Many directors are embracing these technological advances to market their child care programs. In addition to printing up brochures and taking out ads in newspapers, directors can create a tour of their child care program that will attract new customers, as…

The growing interest in "green" products in recent years has been met stride-for-stride with marketing campaigns attempting to tap into that trend. This once-niche sector was finally becoming mainstream and the market scrambled to meet that demand. Companies and organizations took steps to make themselves and their products and services more…

The author presents insights from various readers of "ExchangeEveryDay" regarding trends in the world of family child care. Kathleen Reticker of Acre Family Child Care in Lowell, Massachusetts thinks an increasing trend in Family Child Care is the pressure to emulate a Center, instead of seeing family child care as a different model. Over the…

When customers are facing job loss or tighter budgets, prospects are attempting to negotiate tuition fees, and subsidies are being cut, smart child care managers are studying the essential moves directors must take to increase and retain enrollment despite the volatile economy. Instead of using a tough economy as a reason enrollment drops, they…

Five years ago the author embarked on an odyssey that would fundamentally change his life as an architect. He and his partner, Dave Deppen, were selected through a very competitive process to design a new Child Development and Family Studies Center in the Sierra Foothills, near Yosemite National Park for Columbia College. The Columbia College…

Along with nutrition, physical activity, and secure attachments, sleep is a basic requirement for a child's growth and brain development. Sleep is important for health and wellness, especially for growing infants and young children. Unfortunately, the amount of time children spend sleeping seems to be declining. If only sleep-deprived children…

A day in the life of anyone who works in or around a center-based early care and education program is one of numerous duties, timelines, staffing issues, program concerns, parent meetings, training, budget analysis, and teaching. The list is endless. Their days are filled with multiple priorities, all demanding their time and energy. It's so easy…

The early years are such formative years, when attitudes are being created, when habits are taking shape, when thoughts are being crystallized. This is when the very essence of each child is coming into being. These are the intangibles that educators may look for within early childhood settings. They must look towards the child care centers around…

Teaching is a blend of knowledge, pedagogical skills, environmental factors, and personal dispositions. Experience tells individuals that they can successfully impact knowledge, skills, and environmental factors. Dispositions are harder to change. Dispositions--beliefs, attitudes, and experiences--can play a powerful role in the decision making…

The author was attracted to early care and education from the first time he entered a center in 1984. It was a place of joy with children laughing and teachers making every moment a learning experience for children. Early care and education fascinated him in so many ways beyond the classroom as well. Whether for profit or nonprofit, public or…

Jewel's Learning Center won the honor of being the first center to win an Extreme Makeover, courtesy of "Exchange" magazine and its partners! The author was over the top! Not only were they getting a new playground, but all new furnishings and toys for the entire center! Wow! It really happened! Changes just keep coming and coming. They have made…