Beginning to End is the book I needed when I accepted the Director position at my first child care center. I could have used a roadmap to navigate the ins and outs of being a leader and of building an educational organization—at the same time. I could have used a book that was clearly written—with details and specifics, guidelines and know-how—to help create a vision for this new program; to build my team; to add the parent component; to set the stage for the children; to design environments and programs for them; to create and fit the many parts of the organization together; to make changes when they were needed; to think strategically and execute those plans; and to close the center if that decision was made.
This is that book! And, it is my story—inspired by the largest child care center that I opened during my career. I served as Director there for twenty years and ultimately closed the doors. I experienced firsthand, the entire Life Cycle of a Child Care Center from Beginning to End and I have a unique perspective to share what I learned.
What I bring to this book is a wealth of hands-on, real-life experience, humor, and common sense. I know the life of the education/business director. I have lived it. I know the joys and satisfactions. I know the problems and pitfalls—and the solutions and strategies to avoid them. I’ve learned a lot because I have built four unique early childhood programs in my career.
Beginning to End is a ‘how-to’ and memoir combined. It was specifically written as a resource for early childhood educators at all levels, but it has appeal and merit for other people-centered businesses as well. Take the ideas and approaches—use them. They work!
Beginning to End: The Life Cycle of a Child Care Center—A Director’s Story, is available on amazon.com Books, as well as on Barnes & Noble. Take what resonates with you and then, one day, pass on what you learn to the next generation of early childhood colleagues. My best to you!
The post Great Summer Reading… first appeared on Marcia Hebert's Blog.