Week Four Overview

 The Field of Early Care and Education

Everyday, all over the world, parents leave their children in the care of others while they work or go to school, or just take a much needed break from the demands of parenthood. Parents choose programs based on many factors including, cost, distance, program philosophy, staff qualifications, curriculum type and many more. I have had the pleasure and opportunity to work in many different program types in my career. Below I will share some of my experiences and link to the various program types. 

My very first job working with children was as a family child care provider Links to an external site.. I was able to stay at home with my son while he was young and bring in some much needed income to our family. I found I really enjoyed being with children. My education had been in Economics, so, I returned to college and got my associate's degree in Child Development and Education from Mt. San Jacinto College and began working in a parent co-operative program Links to an external site. in Lake Elsinore. 

I loved that job, but needed better income than I was making at a part-time job. I returned to complete my BA in Psychology at Chapman University and became a site supervisor for a before and after school program Links to an external site.located on a school campus. 

I moved to a new job where I was a state-preschool teacher/director Links to an external site.. Meaning that I worked with the children and supervised the aides in the classroom. I had 24 AM and 24 PM children each day. The program was operated at a school site in Perris, California by the Riverside County Office of Education. 

Following that position, I moved to a state-funded child care program Links to an external site. as the director.The program cared for 100+ children ages six weeks to 12 years old. We had a before and after school program, an infant and toddler program and full day child care and a state-preschool classroom. 

I have been the director of two college laboratory schools Links to an external site..  Where we offered full day and part day child care to student parents. This program had funding from the state as well. 

I have been an infant and toddler teacher/director working at a school district Links to an external site.to assist with the Even Start Program.  Links to an external site.

 In this week's module, you will learn about all of these program types and many more. The field of early care and education is as varied as the families we serve. Just as every family is not a fit for every program type, teachers are not all fits for every program type. Begin this week thinking about what type of program you would like to work in and why. 

via GIPHY Links to an external site.