September 30, 2013
New Manual from First 5: Administration of ECE Coaching Initiatives
Does your organization or agency currently provide coaching to support quality in Early Care and Education (ECE)? Or, do you plan to provide coaching services in ECE in the near future? If so, do you know what is needed to create and implement an effective coaching initiative? First 5 Alameda County has released a new manual designed for use by managers of quality coaching initiatives for ECE sites. From assessment to orientation, implementation to evaluation, this comprehensive manual provides step-by-step support to help develop and conduct effective ECE coaching initiatives. A free download of the manual is now available.
Renewed Focus on Quality Care
The past decade has seen a renewed focus on improving the quality of ECE, spurring a proliferation of new initiatives to enhance child care providers' practices, enrich curricula and improve caregiving environments. The emphasis on quality in an era of reduced budgets has raised an essential question: which types of professional development experiences have the most lasting impact on ECE quality?
Recent research on teacher preparation and professional development shows that child care providers' practices are more likely to change-and changes are more likely to be sustained-when providers receive personalized support, in their unique settings, from a skilled, caring and knowledgeable professional. As a result, an increasing number of quality intervention and support initiatives are building on-site technical assistance, such as coaching, into their menu of services.
Demand Growing for Skilled Coaches
This growing interest in coaching has increased the demand for on-site services to support ECE programs on a range of child care issues, including early childhood mental health, ECE curriculum, health and safety practices, teacher-child interactions, and ECE business and fiscal practices. The proliferation of coaching initiatives has created a need for administrators who are familiar with the unique considerations of implementing effective coaching initiatives within the singular context of ECE. In the diverse and complex world of caring for young children, coaching can be particularly demanding, requiring specialized knowledge, advanced skills and continual self-reflection. This evidence-informed new manual, which includes practical tools and sample documents, is designed to help develop and manage a successful coaching initiative. For more information please contact Sujata Bansal at Sujata.bansal@first5alameda.org.
