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Course Planning by Program

2024-25

Essential Objectives

Course Syllabus

Revision Date: 30-Oct-23

Spring 2024 | EDU-2043-VO01 - Legal & Financial Issues in Early Childhood & Afterschool Programs

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Location: Online
Credits: 3 (45 hours)
Day/Times: Meets online
Semester Dates: 01-23-2024 to 05-06-2024
Last day to drop without a grade: 02-11-2024 - Refund Policy
Last day to withdraw (W grade): 03-24-2024 - Refund Policy
This course has started, please contact the offering academic center about registration

Faculty

Debra Gass
View Faculty Credentials

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Philip Crossman

Course Description

This course provides students with foundational legal and financial knowledge and skills necessary for successful management of early care and education centers. Students explore foundations of federal and state legal systems and specific federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations required for early childhood programs. The course also introduces students to basic accounting concepts, including budgeting, costing, financial statement analysis, payroll, and financial management. Note: This course meets a requirement of Step 2 of Vermont’s Early Childhood and Afterschool Program Director Credential. Recommended prior learning: Program Management for Early Childhood & Afterschool Workplace or equivalent work experience.

Essential Objectives

1. Describe and analyze the structure of legal systems regulating early care and education programs.
2. Identify and describe laws, codes, and regulations related to early childhood program management at federal, state, and local levels.
3. Analyze and apply laws, regulations, and codes required for early childhood program management, including childcare licensing regulations, special education, family law, labor law, confidentiality, anti-discrimination, ADA, liability, contracts, facility operations, and occupational health and safety.
4. Propose strategies for working cooperatively with regulatory agencies.
5. Apply basic accounting and bookkeeping principles to early childhood program management, including budget management and planning, financial statement analysis, costing, salaries and benefits, cash flow management, integration of fees and funding sources, etc.
6. Create a sample monthly budget of bookkeeping entries, conduct a deviation analysis, and project cash flow one year forward.
7. Identify federal, state, and local revenue sources, including grants and fund-raising.
8. Identify state and local resources to maintain compliant business practices.
9. Discuss and apply program policies and procedures that comply with legal obligations and generally accepted business and accounting practices.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

EDU-2043-VO01 Link to Textbooks/Resources Information for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Methods

Class weeks begin on Tuesday and end the following Monday. By Thursday of each week, students are expected to read chapters from the course textbook, Developing & Administering A Child Care and Education Program ((9th edition)ISBN13: 9781305088085.Students will submit a thoughtful reflective post in response to related textbook chapter reading, and/or posted video or article resources, in a Discussion Post Assignment by Thursday eveningno later than 11:00 pm. Additionally, students are ALSO required to respond to fellow class members' posts (2 minimum) by the following Monday of that same course week. Substantive responses are expected and defined in the Canvas classroom. An individual post and at least 2 responses to others are required each week in order to earn a passing grade. Late Discussion Post submissions earn zero credit.

Students must have reliable access to a laptop or desktop computer, be comfortable with and ready to learn more about computer and technology use and be able to navigate the internet in order to participate in this class. Proficiency in the use of Canvas classroom platform is recommended.

Instructor will present information and guidance to stimulate an online learning classroom in Canvas, stimulated by textbook reading and written, video and PowerPoint assignments, student research, response to posted articles, videos, etc. and personal reflections. Students will be expected to develop start-up, operating and budget deviations in this course. A field interview with guided questions is required. Students will build their learning community by engaging in weekly online discussion posts and submitting periodic individual assignments as active contributors. Critical thinking will be encouraged and expected for rich online discussion and in the development of assignments.

Mid-term research project, final project & exam are required. All written work must be submitted in Canvas in Microsoft Office (Word & Excel) using APA formatting when required. Students will work with course embedded librarian to find research articles to support their paper. Students are encouraged to utilize additional support from online tutors for writing and organizational tasks if necessary.

Evaluation Criteria

75 points online classroom participation (5 per 15 posts: 2.5/post and 2.5 per 2 discussion responses). Your discussion post should be submitted no later than Thursday (11:00 pm) and responses to two others' posted no later than Monday (11:00 pm) for credit. Late posts will earn 0 points. No tests or quizzes.

10 points: Mid-Term Research Essay

10 points: Final Project PowerPoint Presentation

5 points: Final: Infographic

Late submissions are only accepted for mid-term project, which will automatically drop one letter grade. No other late submissions will be accepted for student assignments.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

High Low

A+ 100 98

A Less than 98 93

A- Less than 93 90

B+ Less than 90 88

B Less than 88 83

B- Less than 83 80

C+ Less than 80 78

C Less than 78 73

C- Less than 73 70

D+ Less than 70 68

D Less than 68 63

D- Less than 63 60

F Less than 60

P 100 60

NP Less than 60 0

Weekly Schedule

Week/Module	Topic	Readings	Assignments

1	This week we will begin to develop our class learning culture with activities geared to welcome students and share some about ourselves. We will also begin to explore the field of managing early childhood and afterschool programs, as we start to embrace the tools and navigate the expectations of this course, beginning with a look at Vermont's Licensing Standards.	Read in course textbook: Chapters 1 & 3: The Effective Director & Licensing and Certification. Read: https://dcf.vermont.gov/cdd/laws-regs/childcare Afterschool Child Care Programs Regulations, and Child Care Licensing Regulations for Center-Based Child Care & Preschool Programs and Registered Licensed Family Child Care Homes.	Introduce yourself to the class by posting a video in the Discussion Post forum in Canvas no later than Thursday, (11:30 pm) and greeting everyone else with a brief hello post no later than Monday (11:30 pm). Find and set up an interview date in the next 2 weeks with a director of a licensed childcare or afterschool program. The interview will take no more than 20 minutes and must be completed and summarized at the end of Week 4. Interview questions are posted for you in Canvas Announcements.

2	This week we continue to become familiar with state licensing regulations and explore an example of federal regulations (Head Start Performance Standards), as well as local health & safety requirements for operating child care and afterschool programs.	Read Chapter 12: Managing the Food and the Health and Safety Programs. Review: Head Start Performance Standards; https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/policy/45-cfr-chap-xii	Local health & safety requirements posted in Assignments. Discussion Post Assignment #1-respond by Thursday evening then reply to at least two others' by Monday evening. Conduct your director interview this week if possible. Due in 2 weeks.

3	This week we will explore legal and regulatory requirements of early childhood and afterschool programs in regards to special education, and laws regarding labor, HIPPA, anti-discrimination, ADA, facilities, health & safety. You will select a topic for a mid-term research paper based on one of these categories, choosing from a list I have developed. Working with our librarian, you will find the first research article to support your paper.	Read: Chapter 7 Developing a Center Facility	Choose your research topic for the mid term research paper, due in Week 7 from the posted list in Canvas. Find your first (of 2) research articles to inform your paper. The article must have academic integrity. Work with our course librarian to find this article. Discussion Post #1: Post your reply by Thursday, then respond to at least two others' by Monday evening. Conduct your director interview. Due next week.

4	This week we will focus on developing strategies for working collaboratively with regulatory agencies.	Read: In textbook Chapter 13: Working with Families, Volunteers and the Community.	Conduct your director interview by the end of this week. Discussion Post #1: Post your reply by Thursday and respond to at least two others' by Monday evening @11 pm. Find your second research article to support your mid-term essay this week. You may access our embedded librarian to do this search.

5	This week we will turn our focus toward financial regulations, expectations and practices for operating a fiscally "healthy" childcare or afterschool program.	Read in textbook, Chapters 5 & 6: Handling Financial Matters & Funding the Program.	Discussion Post due by Thursday evening, then respond to at least two others' by Monday evening. Write the first draft of your mid-term essay, due in 2 weeks. Use course supports such as Tutor.com or CCV Learning Center if you need them. Outline and grading criteria are posted in Announcements. Begin to develop your idea for a dream childcare or afterschool program for which you develop a budget. Discussion and instructions are posted in Canvas.

6	This week we will continue to learn about budgeting, basic accounting, and bookkeeping principles, cash flow, and funding for childcare and afterschool programs.	Read in textbook: Chapters 4, 8 & 9: Organizing Center Structure and Working with a Board, Equipping the Center and Staffing the Center	Discussion Post: Post your reply by Thursday evening, then respond to at least two others' by Monday evening. Begin to work on the development of a budget for your center. Guidance in Canvas. Finalize your mid-term research paper due next week.

7	This week we continue to work on your program budget, including projecting expenses, forecasting expenditures, revenue, cash flow, funding and planning for quality programming.	Read: Chapters 11 & 14, Supporting Quality Curriculum & Providing for Personal and Professional Staff Development.	Discussion Post: Your response due Thursday, reply to at least two others' by Monday. Continue to work on your budgets. Directions are in Canvas. Mid-term Research Paper is due this week by Monday evening.

8	This week we learn how to conduct a budget deviation analysis.	Related topics posted in Canvas.	Discussion Post due by Thursday, then reply to at least two others' by Monday. Begin to develop your Final Project Powerpoint Presentation, due Week 13. Slide templates are posted in Canvas.

9	This week we explore and identify state and local resources to maintain compliant business practices and learn the history of afterschool programming in the United States.	Read: Chapter 15, Evaluating Center Components in course textbook.	View: Afterschool Programming Documentary posted in Canvas Discussion Post due by Thursday with at least two replies to others' by Monday. Develop more slides for your PowerPoint presentation due in Week 13.

10	We will research and explore program policies and procedures that comply with legal obligations and generally accepted business and accounting practices this week.	Review: Posted articles in Canvas	Discussion Post due Thursday evening by 11 pm, with at least two replies to others' by Monday at 11 pm. Continue to work on your Final Project PowerPoint presentation.

11	This week we practice program policies and procedures that comply with legal obligations and generally accepted business and accounting practices.	Review posted articles in Canvas.	Discussion Post due by Thursday, then reply to at least two others' by Monday. Work on your Final Project Powerpoint Presentation.

12	This week we learn about and practice professional ethical standards, related to the learning objectives of this course and the National Association for the Education of Young Children's ethical codes.	Read: Textbook Appendix A: NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment.	Discussion Post due by Thursday with at least two replies to others' by Monday. Continue to work on Powerpoint Presentation due next week.

13	This week we learn what happens when your program participates in a legal, financial, and programmatic audit or review.	Review: Articles posted in Canvas	Finalize and submit your Final Project PowerPoint Presentation by Monday in Discussion Post and as an Assignment. Discussion Post due by Thursday, reply to two others' by Monday. Review information about what an Infographic is and how to create one, posted in Canvas. Begin to create your final exam "Infographic", directions are posted in Announcements.

14	This week we will review and critique the PowerPoint presentations submitted last week. In this way you will gain deeper knowledge about some of many aspects of the key topic areas we reviewed in this course, and in regards to the laws and regulations that guide our management of childcare and afterschool programs.	Read: In the textbook, Appendix B, C and D: Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation Programs, Program Administrator Definition and Competencies and Standards for Early Childhood Programs,	Discussion Post: Review and critique everyone's PowerPoint presentations. Work on your final exam Infographic due next week.

15	This week we conclude our course with a review of what you have learned in this semester. Your final exam, an Infographic will demonstrate your cumulative knowledge gained in this course, and it will be shared with your fellow class members.		Submit your Infographic by Thursday, read and respond to everyone's by Monday. Celebrate! You finished this course!

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

CCV strives to mitigate barriers to course access for students with documented disabilities. To request accommodations, please

Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

CCV has a commitment to honesty and excellence in academic work and expects the same from all students. Academic dishonesty, or cheating, can occur whenever you present -as your own work- something that you did not do. You can also be guilty of cheating if you help someone else cheat. Being unaware of what constitutes academic dishonesty (such as knowing what plagiarism is) does not absolve a student of the responsibility to be honest in his/her academic work. Academic dishonesty is taken very seriously and may lead to dismissal from the College.