Eager-to-Learn Online Director's Credential Learning Community 2012

• Timeline
• Fees
• Course Schedule
• Contact Information

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) points to the director's skills and training as leading indicators of overall quality in a child care program. The Eager-to-Learn Online Director's Credential addresses 10 essential skill areas needed to successfully operate a quality child care business in the 21st century.

The Eager-to-Learn Director's Credential Learning Community is a quality, convenient and affordable training option offered completely online through facilitated courses with peer networking and personalized instructor interaction.

Applications open September 1, 2011, with coursework beginning in January 2012. Participants in the Director's Credential Cohort attend nine online classes together. This creates a supportive learning community. Students also receive coaching as they complete an individual practicum project of interest.

For $940 (approximately half the price of traditional training courses) experienced, knowledgeable and certified instructors offer 144 hours of high-quality training. The Director's Credential Learning Community also offers support and coaching between classes, networking sessions and opportunities for Directors' Hot Topic webinars.

Applications will be accepted starting September 1, 2011with rolling acceptances until the 15-member class is filled. Applicants will be notified of acceptance within 30 days of receipt of their completed application. When accepted, applicants will have seven business days to pay the $150 cohort program fee and sign a payment agreement for the balance of the course and credential fees. Many directors have received training grants to assist with their participation in the cohort.

Learning Community membership is open to child care business directors and assistant directors from throughout the United States.

Forty five early childhood professionals have successfully completed the Eager-to-Learn Online Director's Credential in the past 18 months. Here is what directors are saying:

“I would definitely recommend this credential cohort to all directors. Both experienced and brand new directors–and their programs–will benefit greatly from the experience.”

“All the instructors were great and so helpful in the director cohort. They all had very effective teaching styles and were helpful if questions came up. I’d do it again in a heartbeat!”

“Having the peer support was very important. Knowing that others are out there going through the same things that I am and being able to share our knowledge with each other was a very important part of the courses.”

“I really liked the online experience.  It was great not having to leave my office or spend time and money traveling. The chat sessions got right to businessâ€"and we could come to the chat early to socialize if we wanted, which people often did!”

The Director's Credential is offered in collaboration with the Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children (MnAEYC). It meets all the requirements for NAEYC accreditation plus many state and national director administrative training requirements.

Eager-to-Learn Director's Credential Cohort Timeline

Application Open	September 1, 2011
Enrollment Closed	December 9, 2011  or when all spots are filled
Cohort Begins	January 10, 2012
Final Projects due	November 27, 2012
Cohort Ends	December 4, 2012

Eager-to-Learn Director's Credential Cohort Fees

Cohort Program Fee (includes Director's Online, coaching and administrative support)	$150
Eager-to-Learn Course Fees for 10 classes (144 training hours)	$690
MnAEYC Credential Application Fee and Assessment	$100
Total Cost for Director's Credential Program and MnAEYC Credential	$940

The $150 program fee holds your place and is due within seven days of acceptance. Course and credential fees must be paid in full at least 10 days prior to the start of the cohort or arrangements may be made, if needed, to pay for each course at least 10 days prior to its start. The credential fee is due prior to the start of the cohort.

Eager-to-Learn Director's Credential Community Course Schedule

Developing Your Leadership and Staffing Strength

Essential Management Skills for Child Care	16 hours	January 10, 17, 24 31, 2012
Explore nine important management competencies to strive for in your skill development and director training. Each student will develop an individualized management-training plan based on her/his own needs assessment and interests.
Code of Ethics	8 hours	February 7, 14, 2012
Two session webinar on adopting the NAEYC Code of Ethics and developing the code as a guide in both early childhood education and business development.
Time is of the Essence	12 hours	February 21, 28 March 6, 2012
Finding time to meet all the needs in a child care business is truly a challenge! Explore ways to organize and prioritize your time, tasks and information for maximum work effectiveness - and still make time for a life of your own! (Time Management and Organizational Skills)
Practicum Project Introduction and Topic Research	16 hours	March 13, 2012 Coaching
Each director will research and select a management related project that offers personal skill development and business quality enhancement. The project and timeline will be individualized. Each director will have a project adviser for communication and coaching during the project development
Leadership and Supervisory Skills	16 hours	March 20, 27 April 3, 10, 2012
Explore techniques for developing the skills you will need to be successful a successful leader and supervisor of your child care team. Examine interpersonal communication, group dynamics, group decision-making, conflict resolution, job stress, workplace diversity, as well as developing essential leadership skills.
Practicum Project Check-in Chat		April 17, 2012 Coaching

Developing Your Financial Strength

Financial Forecasting: Taming the Crystal Ball	16 hours	April 24, May 1, 8 15, 2012
Gain control over your child care center's financial future. Study includes developing departmentalized line item budgets and managing income and expense with a practical cash flow tool.
Personnel Budgeting: Mastering the Juggling Act	12 hours	May 22, June 5, 12, 2012
Study and create personnel procedures and staffing patterns to assure quality child care while controlling personnel expenses.
Financial Reporting: Numbers Tell the Story	12 hours	June 19, 26 July 3, 2012
Gain a clear understanding of your child care center business' financial status through income and expense statements, year-to-date budget comparisons and balance sheets.
Business Plan Introduction and Foundation	12 hours	July 10, 17 2012
Road Map to Success: Creating a Business Plan The business plan is the document that most clearly defines the way your organization does business. A professional plan instills confidence in your business, whether it is designed for lenders, funders or community stakeholders. Your business plan will help you to study your business objectively, plan and achieve goals and effectively interpret your child care organization to customers and supporters.
Course Break and Individual Work Practicum Project		July 24 — Sept. 4

Developing Your Business Strength

Grantwriting and Fund Development	8 hours	September 11, 18, 2012
New Dollars for Your Child Care Business:Study grants and funding resources while learning the elements of a solid grant proposal for your early childhood business. Two session webinar
Marketing and Customer Care	16 hours	Sept. 25 October 2, 9 16, 2012
Beyond the Yellow Pages & Classifieds: Marketing Child Care Learn the importance and usefulness of a marketing plan in reaching and maintaining your enrollment goals. The course provides a thorough overview of basic marketing principles and concepts, and practical application of these concepts to the child care field.
Practicum Projects Due October 19	Presentation Chat on October 23, 2012
Business Plan Completion and Presentations	October 30 - November 6, 2012
Cohort Wrap-Up/ Success Review	November 13, 2012
Success Virtual Celebration	November 20, 2012

 

All class online chats are on Tuesdays at 10:30 AM CST/CDT

 

 

To apply for membership in the Eager-to-Learn Director's Credential cohort, complete the application (Microsoft Word or PDF) and submit it via e-mail.

Contact Information:

For more information on Director's Credential Cohort Program contact Cory Woosley at coryw@mnchildcare.org  or 651-746-4024. 

Contact etlsupport@mnchildcare.org or call 651-746-4025 to pay the credential program and course fees.

The Director's Credential is offered to early childhood directors in collaboration with the Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children (MnAEYC) www.mnaeyc.org.