Excellence & Quality

Pictures have the power to speak so much louder and stronger than documents.  A single photos has the ability to bring on so many emotions. Being that I am also a believer in what the bible says, I find or take pictures of my professional goals.  Habakkuk 2:2-3 (KJV) says,

 "... Write the vision, and make it plain upon the tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."

Here is a glimpse of my professional goals, I would like to do the following:

1) Own and operate multiple quality Christian based primary educational facilities (ages 6 weeks to 8 years old):

2) Providing superior education to every student that enters through the doors: including foreign languages, art courses, fitness classes, educational field trips, science and chemistry, and cultural history classes.... to name a few things 😁

3) Hire a superb diverse staff that loves to teach, learn, enjoys children, and works as a team (with the ability to compensate them well) 

4)  Provide financial aid and scholarships to children who are not able to attend due to financial complications 

5) Leave a legacy as to what a great educational experience would be like... 

 I know that it is a lot, but I love when I share my goals and people tell me that I can't achieve it.  It gives me the opportunity to send my business card and a thank you card, once the goal is met!  

To my knowledge there are no current EC quality issues being discussed in my community.  Working in a hospital, they are more concerned with healthcare rather than education.  Unfortunately, that leaves me to have to research developmental opportunities.  As of right now, I have been more focused on my goals and school work..... which are one of my many goals 

National Black Child Development Institute

After my week 6 assignment, I decided to do some research on NBCDI (National Black Child Development Institute).  I know that they would be advocates for EC equality and accessibility.  I am glad that I took the time to read through the site.  The organization advocates for children from birth to eight years old.  NBCDI works with federal, state, and local agencies to help low income children receive quality education, credible staff and educational support, support in creating developmental and culturally appropriate guidelines and lesson plans, and evaluations that appropriate for each level of education (https://www.nbcdi.org/what-we-do/early-care-and-education).

There are a variety of things that I have learned through looking through the site.  The organization supports seeking out talented trained educators and compensating .  Providing children with educators that are trained decreases the achievement gap especially for low income children.  NBCDI is in favor of creating a diverse staff and inclusion of school and community based educators (https://www.nbcdi.org/what-we-do/early-care-and-education).  The site as a whole was interesting and educational.  I hadn't heard of them, but decided to do some reading.     

Issues and Trends of ECE 

So I had a time going to reaching out to other ECE (early childhood education) professionals.  The first 2 responses that I got were from professors in London. They had told me that they were too busy with their own responsibilities to assist me with my assignment. (completely understandable... I have a busy life too) 

As a result, I went to a totally different continent (Australia) to see what they were all about.  After reaching out to several daycare directors, I was able to get a response.  Toni and Kellie were gracious enough to answer the following questions:

• What do you view as your biggest challenge in the field of ECE? 
• What has been you most rewarding moment in your career thus far?

Toni, a manager, answered:

Her biggest challenge is documentation and having time to build quality relationships with the children and their families.  She enjoys watching her children grow and mature. 

Kellie, also a manager, answered:

Her biggest challenge is the government families package which highlights the need for early childhood services to allow families to return to or remain within the workforce.  The package takes away from quality education and care despite their criteria.  Some of Australia's most vulnerable children will not have access to ECE and or be minimized.  Second, the media is emphasizing the need of childcare centers, and pressuring the licensing bodies.  There have been 5 new openings over the past 2 years, but most have struggled to remain open 

Kellie also feels as if she is rewarded everyday working with children. 

Based upon what Kellie is saying there are some inequalities for the children in Australia.  I don't have a full understanding of the job package in Australia, but I can tell that it is directly effecting their center.    

I am loving the impact of HCZ...

Harlem Children's Zone is an organization that is really tugging at my heart.  I love how they are impacting every area of early childhood education, and really every stage in life .  They have "Baby College", "Three Year Old Journey" and "Harlem Gems".  Each of the classes focus on a portion of early childhood education.  Baby College educates expecting and new parents in areas such as healthcare, child development, communication, and how to raise a healthy baby.  Three Year Old Journey is a way for parents to get educated on the developmental stages of their child.  The program is a way for parents to receive education while their children develop social skills with trained staff.   Harlem Gems is HCZ's pre-K program.  100% of their pre-K class was prepared to go to kindergarten.  That is an awesome accomplishment!  HCZ's goal is to produce nothing but positive futures.  It is a model that I would love to mirror in my career.   

HCZ takes early childhood education to a new level by starting while the child is in the womb.  I would have never thought to have such an elaborate program, but just last year they impacted 13,477 lives.  It is an amazing contribution to the community and to the nation's economy.  Multiple presidents and celebrities have complimented HCZ on their accomplishments.  The video below was posted as a testimonial to show the impact that they have made on their participants' lives.  I am sure that there are plenty of other organizations advocating for better early childhood education, but this one has the numbers to prove it.  I am so happy to see the positive effects of making a positive impact at birth! Watch the video... its less than 2 minutes!! 

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