Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: define the requirements to establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment for preschool; identify the components to advance the physical, cognitive, communicative and creative development of infants and toddlers; define positive guidance techniques to support appropriate social and emotional development of infants and toddlers; list the guidelines to establish productive relationships with families; identify the components required to ensure a well-run, purposeful early childhood program responsive to the needs of the participants; and identify the requirements to maintain a commitment to professionalism.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: employ the NAEYC Code of Ethical Code Conduct to validate professional standards for children, families, staff, and community; identify strategies to promote healthy brain development; identify major developmental milestones related to movement and fine motor skills from birth through age 5; define separation anxiety; identify common hazards throughout the school facility; identify ways in which infectious diseases are spread; identify safe practices for preventing the spread of bloodborne pathogens in the child care setting; define SIDS prevention and training; identify the purpose of therapy for children with attention disorders; identify the purpose of early childhood assessment tools; define social development, emotional development, and temperament; identify the roles of parents and child care providers in providing positive guidance to children; recognize the role of empathy in communication; and identify important strategies for increasing retention through internal marketing and parent outreach communication.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: establish and maintain a safe and healthy learning environment; identify strategies that advance physical and intellectual competence; recognize teaching methods that support social and emotional development and the provision of positive guidance; identify strategies for establishing positive and productive relationships with families; identify ways of ensuring a well-run, purposeful program that is responsive to the participants’ needs; and recognize ways to maintain a commitment to professionalism.

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.