Improving the Education of Very Young Children and Boosting University Enrollment through a Masters Degree Program in Child Care Administration

Abstract

In order to meet increasing demands for quality child care, a graduate degree program was designed to develop leadership, management, supervision, and evaluation skills for persons in or aspiring to attain positions in child care administration. Based on a weekend college concept, coursework was scheduled on five Saturdays, course assignments were related to programs directed by participants, and emphasis was given to business and computers. Persons eligible to enter the program had to (1) meet all university admission requirements; (2) have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university; and (3) be a director, assistant director, head teacher, or education coordinator in a child care facility or aspire to such position. Courses offered in the 36-hour Master's Degree program were generally those approved in the Master's Degree program in early childhood education. A questionnaire was sent to all 27 program participants to obtain an indication of the relative success of the program and directions for program development. It was concluded that a graduate degree program designed for working child care directors can be successfully established. (Findings of the evaluation effort are reported, and the instrument is appended.) (RH)