Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
Research has consistently found that high-quality administrative practices are crucial for ensuring and sustaining high-quality outcomes for children and families. (Bloom, 1989, 1996a, 1996b; Cost, Quality and Child Outcomes Study Team, 1995; Kagan and Bowman,1997; Phillips, Mekos, Scarr, McCartney, & Abbott-Shim, 2000; Whitebook, Howes, & Phillips, 1990). Child care directors in Southwest Iowa have only “Business Basics” and the “National Administrator Credential” training available to them in Iowa that is specifically geared to the challenges they face. Much training is accessible for new providers, but the experienced director has few choices.

Response:
Training dollars were anticipated to be available from CCR&R for paying facilitators and training materials needed for the support group, but no funds were available for materials for the directors. End of the year funds were available from the Pottawattamie County Empowerment Board for existing projects to expand or continue services.

In partnership with the CCR&R Quality Improvement Specialist, Mary L. Hughes, Family Life Specialist in Southwest Iowa, designed a “pilot” directors’ training series and wrote a one-time grant, $1,698.00,to fund resources for 12 “Director’s Toolkits.” Directors of the center participants in the Empowerment-funded Extreme Makeover Project were invited to attend. Directors are receiving badly needed resources specific to administration; the training goes beyond Business Basics and meets continuing education requirements for DHS state-wide training approval and continuance of the Directors’ NAC. Director’s Dozen provides training and support for networking in order to improve the quality of their administrative practices as evidenced by self-assessment using 10 items from the research-based Program Administration Scale (PAS) tool. A supportive network of child care center directors/assistant directors come together in order to improve their scores on the selected PAS items by at least 1 point on the instrument’s 7-point scale by the end of the series. The Program Administration Scale (PAS) can differentiate between low and high-quality programs as measured by NAEYC accreditation status, is applicable for use in different types of programs without discrimination against programs of varying sizes, demonstrates good internal consistency, has good inter-rater reliability, is easy to score, and is useful as a tool to support program improvement efforts. (Source: Bloom, Paula Jorde, and Talan, Teri N., Program Administration Scale, Teachers College Press, 2004).

As the only instrument of its’ kind to focus exclusively measuring organization-wide administrative issues, 10 items on the scale were selected for the foundation of the series. A wait list formed, with 12 center directors forming the nucleus, which met for the first time in January 2009. Directors’ Dozen consists of 12- 2-hour, 1x/month sessions (24 hours). The first ½ hour is networking time where directors explore progress made on each other’s action steps from the previous month with re-scoring the PAS item being measured. There is an hour of instruction based on the resources in the kits to help the directors create a plan and execute creative, quality changes. The last ½ hour is spent scoring the PAS and planning individual action steps to increase their score on the PAS.

Impact:
Several directors requested approval for their assistant or co-directors to attend with them, so we have 19 center directors representing 12 child care centers/preschools participating in this pilot. Four meetings have been held covering the following topics: Strategic Planning: Becoming a Visionary Director; Internal Communication: Ways to Communicate What’s Important; Family Communication: Family Orientation, Policies and Procedures; Family Communication: Daily and Formal Conferencing.

All post-scores on the PAS items related to these topics show improvement. PAS scores are increasing, and action steps that have been planned are being met. Changes demonstrating program impact are reflected in participant's reactions that include KASA, changes in practice and policy.

Directors report these accomplished Action Steps from the first four sessions: “Updated Business Plans & approval by Board of Directors 1/21/09; Met with business manager to revise a plan tailored just for our program! Still working on..; Competed budget for 2009-10; Working on 3 yr. budget plan, writing short term and long term goals; Increased involvement of staff members in development of business plan; Working on ways to always keep the mission/vision in the forefront; We did 2 staff newsletters and will do this weekly; Set up person to person talks (meetings); Implemented Cheer Drops; Re-wrote employee handbook; Provided staff with training in conflict resolution; Begin regular team meetings.”

Directors' comments on the end-of-session reflection inventories demonstrate these insights: “Using workshops to motivate staff; Differences between mission/vision; That staff seems to be a common problem we are all different, all alike, unique; Staff works well when directors work well; We are here for the same reason – the children; Community is very important; Knowing we all share a lot of the same challenges helps you not feel alone; To make changes we must begin by making changes ourselves, not trying to change the staff; Bulletin board to “catch” employees doing good; Minutes are kept of meetings; Taking a close look at my director style – Director Wellness; Children are meant to be seen and heard- Love that book.”

Child Care Resource and Referral in Iowa sees the need for the type of on-going support Director’s Dozen is providing. With completion of only a third of the sessions, discussion has begun for ways to bring this series to more counties.

Additional Team Members or Community Partners:
Joyce Mahl, Child Care Resource and Referral Quality Improvement and PITC Program Specialist

Contact:
Mary Hughes
West Pottawattamie County Extension
3501 Harry Langdon Blvd, ISD Campus-2nd Floor/Careers Bldg
Council Bluffs, IA 5150
366-7070
mhughes@iastate.edu