For this Work Product Assessment, imagine that you are preparing to open a childcare center or preschool program serving young children and families in your community.
To accomplish this task, consider the ages and developmental levels of the children you plan to serve; the cultural values and needs of the community in which your program is embedded; and your own philosophy of early childhood care and education.
Keep in mind that there are a multitude of considerations you need to research and understand to build an effective early childhood program.
This Assessment has three parts: a handbook to provide families with essential information about your program; a portfolio that depicts indoor and outdoor learning environments in which your program is set; and a presentation to families or other stakeholders about your program. You may work on the parts in any order. However, all parts must be completed and submitted before any part can be evaluated.
Your response to this Assessment should:
•Reflect the criteria provided in the Rubric.
•Adhere to the required assignment length.
•All submissions must follow the conventions of scholarly writing. Properly formatted APA citations and references must be provided in the narrative for Part II: Learning Environments
This Assessment requires submission of three files: one
(1) document that includes the Family Handbook;
(2) one (1) document that includes a portfolio of your Learning Environments Portfolio and Narrative; and
(3) one (1) oral presentation with slides that explains the purpose and philosophy of your program.
Part I: Family Handbook --- I have worked a bit of this
Create a handbook that explains to families the key elements of the highly effective program you envision. The elements must include:
1. Vision and mission statements
2. Goals for the program
3. Policies and procedures
4. Practices that encourage family engagement and community connections
The handbook may not exceed 20 pages. The handbook will not necessarily be comprehensive, but must effectively represent your understanding of various types of policies, procedures, and practices for early childhood programs that 1) meet legal and ethical guidelines and 2) are appropriate for the children and families served by the program.
Part II: Learning Environments - Need assistance
Create a portfolio of 10-20 drawings and/or photographs that depict interior and exterior learning environments for your program. Each environment must be designed to support developmentally appropriate practice.
As you create these illustrations, consider the overall arrangement of space and furnishings, as well as individual elements within the environment that are especially effective at supporting developmentally appropriate practices.
1. Your indoor environment must include the following features: functional areas, quiet and active play areas, furnishings, and materials.
2. Your outdoor environment must include the following features: equipment, activity/play areas, landscape features, and other elements with which children interact.
3. Support your portfolio with a 4- to 5-page written narrative explaining how the elements of indoor and outdoor environments depicted in your illustrations serve to support specific developmentally appropriate practices.
Part III - Presentation - Need assistance - I will do the audio voiceover
Prepare an 8- to 10-minute presentation designed to explain the philosophy and purpose of this program to a group of prospective families and interested community members or your newly formed board of directors or to the staff of this new program.
The presentation must consist of no more than 20 slides (i.e., PowerPoint or Prezi) and a voiceover narration that authentically simulates your approach to this audience.