Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

I have not yet received a response, so I went to UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage and share a few new insights I have gained about issues related to international early childhood education that relate to my professional goals.  A few of my professional goals are to open an above average quality child care facility.  I would like to have a staff of well-educated teachers that will provide excellent care to the children; helping them to be developmentally ready to start school.  In order to obtain this type of program I would need to develop a holistic approach to child development.  Child care programs consists of children from a variety of backgrounds, some are at a disadvantage financially and or emotionally.  These programs should promote confidence, cognitive and linguistic development and motivation.  Quantifying the quality of early childhood programs has several factors that should be taken into consideration such as the learning materials, personnel training, parental education and involvement.  The materials within the center should be culturally and developmentally adequate; to achieve the goal and mission of the program it should also be child centered.  Another attribute of a high quality child care program is one that actively involves the parents, community, and applicable play and learning materials.  This will help to ensure that the child as a whole is developing properly, not just academically ready to start school, in addition to the increased sustainability of stakeholders.

Reference:

UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/).