ECE 224: Introduction to Child Care

Spring 2009

Instructor:	Christina Thompson
Phone:	Email - thompsonc@kellogg.edu Home phone: 269-986-9814 I am available by phone Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Office Hours:	It is best to contact me via email to set up an appointment. I will respond to email within two working days.
Course Prerequisites:	None
Textbook	Required: To be determined
Online Course Features and Requirements	Number of tests: 0 of which 0 must be proctored. Required on campus sessions: None Special labs or practicum: 1 assignment requiring field experience Number of assignments: 4 major assignments Estimated time per week: 6 - 8 hours Group interaction required: Yes Scheduled activities or self paced: Scheduled activities Requirements: Students must have access to the following: Equipment: You will need a computer that is able to access and interact with the Web. For best results, a Pentium or PowerMac with a 56 Kbps or faster modem and 256 MB or more of RAM should be considered the minimal system. Software: You will need one of the following Internet browsers: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 or higher; Firefox; Mac users may use Safari or Firefox. Internet connection: Home users need Internet access through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that offers a reliable connection to the Internet.
Course Site:	http://bb.kellogg.edu
Curriculum Statement:	This course will provide students with an overview of what to expect when working with children.
Description	This course introduces students to developmentally appropriate, high quality child care programming for children ages birth to 8. Students will complete routines, scheduling and activities that encourage children's healthy growth and development. Other topics include State of Michigan Child Care Licensing regulations; opportunities in child care and the types of child care programs.
Objectives	1. Become familiar with the child care center requirements for licensing as stated by the State of Michigan and the role of licensing in early childhood environments. 2. Identify the criteria for creating and planning a safe, healthy learning environment for young children including: organizing space appropriately, selecting appropriate toys, equipment and materials, plan for emergencies, plan for nutritious meals and snacks. 3. Identify and distinguish between the different types of early childhood programs. 4. Distinguish between the various stages of child development and recognize that children are unique in their ability to learn. 5. Plan activities that promote young children's healthy growth and development in the areas of art, manipulative experiences, storytelling/literacy, guiding play, puppetry, dramatic play, writing, math, science, community, music, movement, and among others. 6. Understand the importance of professionalism in early childhood environments by being able to assess one's own performance, discuss the NAEYC Code of Ethics, and understand the importance of life long learning. 7. Discuss the importance of modeling acceptance of and respect for all children. 8. Observes children of various ages and describes the general characteristics of their ages. 9. Identifies and discusses the role of parents, families, community agencies, and other professionals in fully meeting the needs of young children. 10. Uses a personal computer and the Internet to complete learning assignments when appropriate. 11. Understands the importance of confidentiality in the field of early childhood education.
Grading	You will be required to spend 4 hours over the course of the semester observing in an early childhood program. This is imperative to your success in this class. Class Attendance and Participation [weekly module assignments] – 280 points (Competencies 2, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11) 5 Quizzes – 150 points [30 points each] (Competencies 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10) State Licensing Rules Analysis – 150 points (Competency 1) Early Childhood Program Reviews – 100 points (Competencies 2 & 3) Observation of Young Children – 200 points (Competency 4) Portfolio – 70 points (Competency 12) Total Points = 950 Students are encouraged to keep all assignments and to maintain a running point total for their use. If you need to have extra time to complete an assignment, you will need to talk to me PRIOR to the due date unless a very unusual and definite emergency presents itself preventing you from contacting me.
Grading Scale	Total points possible for the class: 950 94% - 100% A 90% - 93% A- 87% - 89% B+ 84% - 86% B 80% - 83% B- 77% - 79% C+ 74% - 76% C 70% - 73% C- 67% - 69% D+ 64% - 66% D 60% - 63% D- below 60 % Fail

Important Information	Each student in this course is required to complete the State of Michigan Child Abuse Neglect Central Registry (CAN/NR) form (available at your local DHS (formally knows as FIA) department) and receive clearance prior to starting a field experience or completing observations if he or she is participating at a site other than their own employer or at a public school. This form takes approximately two weeks to process and is processed at no cost. Once the form has been returned to you from the State of Michigan Child Care Licensing Bureau, you will need to make a copy for Dawn Larsen, Early Childhood Program Manager. Students must still complete any additional security clearances required by the intern or field experience site. It is the employer's or site's responsibility to determine if a student volunteer intern, employee intern, or student observer meets the requirements under the law as they apply to each program..
Academic Policies	Dropping: It is the responsibility of the student to know the date by which he or she can obtain a refund of tuition, and the date by which withdrawing from this course can result in a grade of "W". The general formula is: Refund of tuition - First one tenth (1/10) of class days Grade of "W" - Prior to seven eighths of the duration of the class Specific dates are available from the Customer Service Center.
"I" Grades:	Incomplete ("I") is only given for the most extenuating circumstances. All "I" grades should be completed by: 30 days after the last scheduled day of class.
Attendance	Attendance will be monitored by the instructor. Each time a student logs on, it is recorded by Blackboard. Students are expected to log on at least 3 times a week.
Cheating	Cheating is NOT permitted. Any students caught cheating will receive NO points for the exam or quiz in which the cheating occurred, and/or will be subject to the disciplinary procedures of Kellogg Community College (at the discretion of the instructor).
Disclaimer	Information contained in this syllabus was, to the best knowledge of the instructor, considered correct and complete when distributed for use at the beginning of the semester. However, this syllabus should not be considered a contract between Kellogg Community College and any student, nor between any student and the instructor. The instructor reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of Kellogg Community College, to make changes in course content or instructional techniques without notice or obligation.
Make-up Policy	Make-up work is only allowed for extenuating circumstances and with prior approval from the instructor.
Computer Access at KCC	It is assumed that students enrolled in this course have at their disposal appropriate equipment and software to complete the course work and communicate with other students. If there are problems with your equipment and/or software, it is possible to come the KCC's Campus and use the open computer lab in the Learning Resource Center. See KCC's web site for campus maps and lab times.
Student Email	All Kellogg Community College students are provided with email accounts through the college server. You will be responsible for checking your Kellogg Community College email regularly and should be prepared to use Kellogg Community College email as part of student-college interaction. For email account information, check the web at www.kellogg.edu/email/geninfo
ADA Statement	Kellogg Community College does not discriminate in the admission or treatment of students on the basis of disability. KCC is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Disabilities Statement	Kellogg Community College is dedicated to providing the reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities for individuals with verified disabilities. Accommodations will be based upon the complete professional evaluation report provided by the physician or some other specialist authorized to make disability diagnoses. Contact the section 504 compliance officer with specific questions, Holly Moore McKee, Director of Support Services at 269-965-2624. Additional academic services are available to all students through Support Services at 269-965-2624 and The Learning Place at 269-965-3931, ext 2296. Please refer to your Student Handbook for further information.
Academic Integrity Statement	The Kellogg Community College policy on Academic Integrity is spelled out in the Student Handbook. If it is suspected that you are cheating, fabricating, facilitating academic dishonesty or plagiarizing, there will be serious consequences. The incident will be documented and reported to the academic chair and/or program director for possible disciplinary actions up to and including course, program, or college expulsion.
Class Conduct and Participation	Class participation is encouraged. We will follow the College policies regarding conduct. I expect students to create an atmosphere of respect. No name calling, interrupting, or foul language is allowed. Come prepared with an open attitude that is professional and shows that you are ready to learn.
Information/Student Liability Insurance	The KCC Early Childhood Education Program develops and implements child care courses designed to provide quality training to individuals. Each individual student participates in training for his or her own reasons. It is important that each student contact specific regulatory and professional recognition organizations to determine if this class meets the goals and standards set by these individual agencies. In order to expedite this matter, the following numbers may help you: The Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition (CDA) Bureau of Regulatory Services - Child Care Licensing Division Each early childhood education student is required to purchase liability insurance from the college in order to complete assignments outside of class requiring the student observe sites or children, visit sites or children and attend field trips. This is not an inclusive list.