Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: identify basic duties of a center director according to BFTS rules; identify key considerations for developing a child care center philosophy and mission and vision statements; recognize elements of a developmentally appropriate classroom and effective curriculum practices; recall characteristics of child development and activities that promote growth and learning; identify practices that ensure safe and healthy food service and promote healthy eating habits in young children; identify common hazards throughout the school facility and strategies for maintaining a safe and healthy environment; identify and utilize best practices and strategies for assessing young children’s learning and development; recognize leadership practices that promote efficiency, teamwork, collaboration and effective communication; identify strategies, requirements and best practices for hiring, training, and retaining employees; identify effective communication strategies with employees and families; define and identify key elements of a child care center budget; identify effective marketing tools and strategies for child care centers; identify various forms of child advocacy; recognize recommended strategies for building relationships with families and promoting family involvement; list regulations and legal requirements that relate to operating a child care center; recognize signs of child abuse and neglect; identify elements of leadership that build employee morale, promote continuous quality improvement, and prevent turnover; identify recommended strategies for promoting gender equity in the classroom; identify regulations and recommended practices for keeping children safe when being transported in center vehicles and on field trips; identify recommended strategies and best practices for administering medication to children of various ages and abilities; identify basic facts about young children’s brains; and use key elements of child care center management course.