You’ll use  textbooks, supplemental materials and the 4 mandatory class meetings (the dates on listed on the syllabus and calendar on Blackboard) as well as complete 4 practical assignments, a “Dream Center Project”, 2 tests and participate in Blackboard Discussion Forums to learn the course material.  Please remember that I am also a learning resource and am available during office hours or by appointment. You can also email or call me with your questions.
The textbooks work together to give you a good overview of the best practices in starting and operating a child care center.  Developing and Administering a Child Care Center,byScaiarra and Dorsey provides a global overview of the operation of a child care center.  The learning objectives for each chapter are listed in the front of each chapter. There is also a wonderful online companion site for the text.  Information about this is in “Course Materials” on Blackboard.   Day Care Minimum Standards and Guidelines
provides an understanding of what’s required by the State of Texas to open and operate a child care center.  NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and Accreditation Criteria: The Mark of Quality in Early Childhood Educationdefines best practices in child care settings and an overview of the NAEYC Center Accreditation Program which evaluates a center’s operations.  Program Administration Scale: Measuring Early Childhood Leadership and Management is an assessment tool for child care centers; you’ll use to understand what a center must document to receive an excellent assessment.

In "Course Materials" on Blackboard, there are 6 Supplemental Course Materials Sections based on course competencies and the chapters of your texts. Each section explores an area of developing and managing a child care center. Each section also has learning objectives, and as needed, supplemental required reading, resources and websites.

"Course Assignments" on Blackboard contains all the course assignments. Each assignment is listed on the course calendar and can then be found in the appropriate assignment folder.  There are 4 Practical Assignments which get you to apply what your learning in the same way a director might have to do.  The Dream Center Project is a small group project that allows you to dream your ideal child care setting and to develop its foundation in your small group. This assignment requires you to meet and work with other students. Your group can decide to meet online or in person. 
Tests are on Blackboard in “tests” but can only be completed at an ACC Testing Center.

The “Discussion Board Forums” are in the “Course Tools” section of Blackboard.

“Course Documents” on Blackboard contains all the forms you must complete to be eligible to continue in the course. These must be completed at or by the first course meeting.

All my course materials are saved as Microsoft Office Word or PowerPoint documents. If you do not have these programs on your computer, you can download them from Blackboard. The Blackboard Support Site explains how to do this.

Once you get into CDEC 2326 on Blackboard, read and download the current course syllabus and calendar for future reference. Be sure to read all the course policies which explain lab eligibility and required documentation.

Again, I am available to assist you in understanding the course material and will be delighted to do so. Please call my office or email me, and I will get back to you as quickly as possible. I am, however, very limited in being able to help you with computer problems or Blackboard questions. You will need to get help from your internet service provider or the ACC library computer support person.
Finally, remember to read the Announcements I send you through Blackboard; it's my way of staying in touch with the class.