Child Day Care Management

Your at-home learning program includes seven Instruction Sets designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you’ll employ in your new career in Child Day Care Management. Your first Instruction Set will be sent to you as soon as your enrolment has been accepted. Other Instruction Sets will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with.

Computer Specifications
You will need access to a Microsoft® Windows®-based computer running Windows® XP or later (Mac OS X® or later) and high-speed Internet to complete your program with ICS Canada.

Instruction Set 1

• Learning Strategies
  • Identifying and implementing a successful study method; planning when, where, and how you'll study; creating effective and efficient study tools; using study tools to improve chances for success.
• Child Day Care Today: An Urgent Need
  • The increasing demand for child care; benefits of quality child care; types of child care, including in-home care, family day care, and centre-based care; meeting licensing requirements — providing a safe and healthy environment; managing staff.

Instruction Set 2

• Child Growth and Development, Part 1
  • An overview broken down into birth-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, 18-36 months, 3-5 years; details on social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development.
• Child Growth and Development, Part 2
  • The stages of growth and tips on developing a learning environment for school age children, ages 6-8, and ages 9-12.
• Practical Exercise: Reflection and Observation
• Supplement: Student Observation Guide
• Learning Aid: Ages and Stages Chart

Instruction Set 3

• How to Start Your Child Care Facility: Basic Steps
  • Assessing community needs; questionnaires; telephone surveys; attending meetings; what to ask; establishing a program philosophy; goals and policies; licensing requirements — federal, provincial, municipal; making a business plan; insurance; planning space (indoor and outdoor); providing equipment; required staff; developing forms; bookkeeping required; advertising.
• Licensing and Certification
  • General licensing procedures; agencies, areas of regulation — building and safety, zoning, fire, and sanitation; physical space indoors and out; nutrition; director’s responsibilities; caregiver-child ratios; group size; transportation; staff qualifications; records, steps in the licensing process.

Instruction Set 4

• The Facility
  • Government regulations — zoning and safety; analyzing
    space requirements for in-home and centre-based care.
• Staff
  • Roles and qualifications of personnel; hiring personnel; physical exam and fingerprinting; work schedule and responsibilities; vacations, holidays, and sick leave; staff meetings; trial employment period; termination procedures; evaluations and grievance procedures; managing personnel — motivation, evaluation, and personnel development.
• Computers in Day Care
  • Introducing children to the world of computers; educational and fun activities that can be done using the computer.
• Practical Exercise: Facilities and Staff

Instruction Set 5

• Program Planning
  • The purpose of program planning. Curriculum
    planning and content planning.
• Planning and Implementing for the Environment
  • Preparing environments that promote program goals; grouping children; selecting and purchasing equipment.
• Guidance
  • The relationship between guidance and discipline; applying your knowledge of child behaviour and development; styles
    of adult-child interaction.
• Diversity
  • Inclusive education; principles of inclusion; building tolerance and acceptance; children with special needs; assessing and adapting the environment to create one that promotes respect.
• Practical Exercise: Program, Environment, and Guidance
• Supplement: Activities for Infants and Toddlers

Instruction Set 6

• Working with School-Age Children
  • Working with school-age children; outdoor and indoor games; visual arts; music and movement; drama; science in after-school care; math.
• Working with Parents
  • Parents’ legal rights; communication with parents including orientation; visits to facility, and oral and written communications; parent participation; parent education.
• Financing and Budget
  • Estimating costs including general and specific cost factors; estimating income; balancing the budget; other financial responsibilities.
• Supplement: Master Forms for Day Care Facility
• Textbook: Working with School-Age Children

Instruction Set 7

• Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child
  • Promoting good health; health appraisals; health assessment tools; conditions affecting children’s health; creating a safe environment; safety management; management of accidents and injuries.
• Practical Exercise: Health, Safety, and Nutrition
• Textbook: Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child
• Learning Aids:
  • Poison Antidote Slide Guide
  • Children’s First Aid Slide Guide

Online Library and Librarian
Students in ICS Canada have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and to assist students in research activities during their studies with ICS Canada.

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.

Prospective students should note that completion of this program does not qualify him/her as an Early Childhood Educator (E.C.E.). The ICS Child Day Care Management Program trains individuals to own and operate Care Centres. Students are advised to check with their provincial government for E.C.E. recognized equivalents.