Overview Topic 1: Leading in the system - ECE Business Management and Operations

Welcome to Topic One: Leading in the system - ECE Business Management and Operations

This section of the resource will situate fundamental considerations and business essentials of running and managing an ECE program.      

“A manager focuses on people, problems, and tasks. A leader must tend to these managerial functions while bringing them into focus with the program’s shared vision, missions, and goals” (LeeKeenan & Ponte, 2018, p.2). 

Secondly, you will be introduced to essential business practices to support sustainable programming, such as (1) Classification, regulatory compliance and licensing, 2) Human Resource Management (HRM), and (3) Financial management.

Additionally, you will consider what "Quality" means as an ECE leader and manager and what “Quality” means to you in relation to your practice and setting within the system.  

The estimated time to complete Topic One based on content, activities, and assessments is six and a half hours (6.5 hours or 390 minutes).

Learning outcomes serve as a valuable resource to guide your learning journey and ensure that you can make the most out of your learning experience. The primary purpose of this section is to clearly communicate the intended learning outcome of Topic One: Intersection of core ECE & small business management & operations skills. 

The learning outcomes for Topic One align with the content, activities, and assessments you will encounter throughout Topic One, enabling you to track your growth and identify improvement opportunities. 

After completing all activities and the reflective assessment within Topic One, participants will: 

• Define systems thinking, explain the various ECE systems you are a part of, and identify your role in those systems to advocate for change,
• Explain the principles and processes required to support the operation of a quality, sustainable ECE program with well-cared-for ECE staff, and      
• Consider what "Quality" means as an ECE leader and manager. 

Topic One Activities and Assessments

There are no formal grades awarded for completing the activities and assessments within this OER; instead, embrace this experience as a unique approach to learning that is intended to support you in a more enriching journey of self-reflection and personal growth. 

You are encouraged to assess your progress and engage in reflective practice as you move through the activities and assessments to foster self-discovery and continual improvement as an ECE practitioner. 

Three activities and one assessment within Topic One include:

• ACTIVITY 1.1 | Exploring the Systems and Systems Thinking 
  • You will explore the complex system you are a part of to gain insight and inform your strategies as an ECE manager and leader. You will further consider the impact of developing systems thinking skills and using scenario planning as a management technique to support aspirational goals, help you navigate uncertainties, and proactively address challenges. 
• ACTIVITY 1.2 |  Managing and Leading in the ECE sector 
  • In this activity, you will be introduced to essential business practices and strategies to support sustainable programming, such as regulatory requirements and licensing, policy and guideline development, hiring and supporting qualified staff, and cost considerations.
• ACTIVITY 1.3 | What does "Quality" mean to me?
  • You will assess and consider how some British Columbia (BC) ECE leaders and advocates articulate what "Quality" means to each of them in relation to the role of an ECE manager. 
• ASSESSMENT Topic One | Unveiling insights across ECE management concepts
  • This reflective self-assessment offers you the opportunity to delve into your unique perspectives on Topic One's concepts by allowing you to self-select a topic of personal and professional interest.