EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM OBSERVATION

GUIDELINES FOR ASSIGNMENT: EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM OBSERVATION You will be writing an essay based on your observation of a program from a Director’s point of view. You can explore options to visit a licensed family childcare program or Infant/Toddler or Preschool/Childcare Center by viewing their websites. Call first to arrange your visit. Note the program’s visitation policy and any introductory information the program provides, such as a brochure, fact sheet, or fee schedule. During your visit: • Be friendly and respectful. • Observe without being obtrusive or distracting the staff from attending to the children. • Write only brief notes while visiting; you can add more details after your visit. • Your visit should be approximately 45 minutes. • Please thank the director and staff upon leaving. In a well-organized three to four-page paper, address the following points: 1. Overview of the Program: • What is the name of the program and where is it located? • What model or type of Program are you visiting? • What is the philosophy of the Program? • What is the curriculum design/model of the program? • Do they have a visible vision and mission statement? • What socioeconomic and ethnic/cultural population is being served? • What interests you about this particular type of Program? 2. Funding: • How is the Program funded? • Is it a profit or non-profit facility? • Parent fees? • Other funding? [Try to obtain the funding information from the brochure or the Director. If you were not able to obtain this information, take an educated guess and explain your reasoning for your conclusion] 3. Statistics: • How many children are being served? • What are the ages of the children? • How many staff members? • What is the ratio of children to staff? • What is the length of a day? • Is the Program open year-round? School year? Full time? Part time? 4. Program physical appearance and preschool classroom environment: • Is it generally comfortable, attractive, orderly, and welcoming? • What are the areas that are included in the classroom environment? Is the children’s learning visible? What specific materials do see that represent diversity/anti-bias, in the classroom environment? • Is there outside space? If so, what are the key areas in the outdoor environment? (Please elaborate) If there is no outside space, please indicate what the Center utilizes for outdoor play. • Whether or not there are infants/toddlers/preschoolers with special needs enrolled in the Program, are there inclusion provisions for children with special needs? (You might need to ask the Director) • What is the general condition of toys, furniture, equipment, and materials used by children? • Are there computers in the classrooms that the children use? 5. Policies and routines: • What health and safety policies are apparent to you? (Refer to Chapter 10 of your text) • What routines, such as meals, diapering, and napping have you observed? • Who provides and prepares the food? • What meals are provided: breakfast, lunch, snacks? 6. Location: • How convenient is this site to parents? o Location of the program o Parking availability o Bus line o In a neighborhood 7. Share your reflections of the overall program (This section should be 1-2 paragraphs and contain your thoughts, perceptions and observations of the program.) Each set of questions should be answered in detail and written in paragraph form.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

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