The Core Directors Credential is the first of three courses required to obtain the Pennsylvania Core Directors Certificate. The courses are intended to help students understand their professional roles and responsibilities in developing and administering child care programs.

The coursework was developed to improve the operations of child care centers in Pennsylvania by strengthening the management skill of center directors. While many current directors have years of experience and demonstrate effective management skills, the program is intended to standardize the management of child care centers and ensure that all centers are operated at the highest level of excellence. Further, the program gives center directors the opportunity to keep pace with changes in the child care industry, technology, human resources and funding resources.

Courses

EDU 301-45, Organization and Administration of Early Childhood Programs

This course is intended to help students understand their professional roles and responsibilities in developing and administering child care programs. The course will present issues surrounding daily operations of child care centers, the children they serve, and their families. Participants will be challenged to assess, evaluate and reflect on current practices, and formulate action plans to further the goals and mission of their program.

EDU 302, Professionalism and Leadership

This course is intended to help students understand the role of the Progrmam Directorin terms of promoting professionalism in their staff, building effective teams, and developing Leadership skills in the areas of program organization, curriculum development and assessment, and community building.

EDU 303-45, Business Practices in Early Childhood Education

This course was developed as the third in a 3-part series of courses for the Pennsylvania Department of public Welfare's Core Directors Certificate Program. Participants will build their management skills, learn new skills, and build a network of peers for support. The course is designed to give participants the opportunity for practical application of their learning.

For more detailed information about these courses, and for further information about the Core Directors program, please contact:

School of Continuing Studies
Harcum College
610-526-6083
bakers@harcum.edu