Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs

Celia Decker and John Decker present the ninth edition of their textbook on early childhood program administration. A bonus for this issue comes in the form of their new co-authors from the University of South Carolina: early childhood ethics guru Nancy Freeman and early childhood special education expert Herman Knopf. Both bring their experience and insight to bolster this edition's details and application. Organized around NAEYC's updated child care program accreditation standards, the text is divided into three sections: one on creating a framework for an early childhood program, one section on putting the center in motion, and a last section on executing the program. Part One covers the typical introduction to educational administration (from an early childhood perspective), standards, accreditation, policies, and procedures. Part Two, though, is where the authors give much detail on the managing a child care center. The detail is especially sharp and pointed in the chapters on marketing and budgeting. Part Three concludes the book with excellent sections on planning the children's program, assessment, and a well written section on working with families and the community. Filled with a comprehensive set of charts, award-winning floor plans, and accessible language, Decker & Company's book stands head and shoulders above the other early childhood administration books. It's even cost efficient.

The book was brand new and it was a great buy for the price. Thanks.

Used as a college textbook. Has all the necessary information to learn about early childhood education. It was particularly interesting with the help it gives to start an early childhood center or preschool.