Directors'
Symposium Process
and Preferences Summary
Data Gathering Process
In June 2005, licensed Child Care Center Directors
in Montana (248 centers) were invited to complete the Montana
Child
Care Center
Directors’ Survey. The survey, funded by the Montana Early
Childhood Project (ECP), was developed by Child Care plus+ in anticipation
of an additional 15 hours of required training for Center Directors
over and above the basic 8-hour requirement. The process included
telephone focus groups with Center Directors to identify key professional
development issues; a written survey addressing five categories
of training: administrative, business and financial, professionalism,
specific skills, and taking care of yourself; and a 1½ day
Center Directors’ Symposium to a) review survey
results; b) create a common vision; c) make recommendations
based
on the survey data; and d) participate in professional
development. Center
Directors from 127 programs (51%) took advantage of the
opportunity to express their priorities and preferences
by completing
the survey. Their responses provide information about
themselves, their centers,
their professional development preferences, and the level
of importance to them of individual training topics.
A detailed summary and analysis
of these issues is included in the full report.
Professional Development Preferences
Who: Early childhood trainers and consultants listed on the Montana
Early Care and Education Trainer Directory came up first preference
for 66% of the survey participants. Conference presenters and
local experts (fire marshal, public health nurse, etc.) were
given next preference at 59% and 58% respectively.
Where: Survey
participants’ chose local mini-conferences
(51%), local CCR&R programs (44%), and the annual,
statewide early childhood conference (44%) as their
top preferences
for training locations.
When: Week days in the evening (54%) were slightly preferred
over week days during the day (45%) and both were preferred over
Saturdays. Responses indicate distinct preference for training
during the fall months (64%) and limited preference for training
during the summer months (20%).
How: Workshops
seem to be preferred by survey participants: 2 hours
(59%); 4 hours (57%); and 6 hours (49%). Informal
networking
meetings are not far behind at 40%. Ongoing, sequential
classes and semester-long course work received 27%
and 18% respectively.
Professional Development Topics
The eleven topics (of 38 possible topics) with a weighted average
rank of importance at 80 or above for survey participants across
all five training categories are listed below. Interestingly,
the topics in this priority grouping reflect issues generally
considered as key dimensions of being an effective Child Care
Center Director: working with staff, working with families,
staying current in the field of early childhood, developing
leadership skills, and avoiding burnout. When maintaining a
quality program is included, the top five topics relate to
various staff issues. This list provides a road map for planning
professional development for Center Directors in Montana, both
in terms of content and priority.
1. Training and motivating staff
2. Retaining quality staff
3. Building positive staff morale
4. Maintaining a quality program on a day-to-day basis
5. Managing/supervising staff
6. Working effectively with parents/families
7. Stress management - avoiding burnout!
8. Leadership skills for Center Directors
9. Advanced training for experienced
Directors
10. Current research and topics in early childhood
11. Recruiting and hiring staff, including developing job descriptions
Center Directors’ Vision: We envision building an
effective network of dedicated professionals who are committed
to working
as early care and education leaders in our communities
and state, supported by ample resources, relevant training,
public
awareness,
and professional recognition.
Directors' Symposium Final Report
Directors' Symposium 1 Page
Summary
