1.1 Administration and Operational Responsibilities

In this section, you will examine the administrative, operational and regulatory responsibilities of a child care centre in British Columbia, Canada. These include the role of a licensee, regulatory compliance as well as an overview of the importance of policy and procedures. It will discuss operational responsibility distribution and shared leadership. While it is grounded in the British Columbia context, the points to consider can apply across a variety of early childhood care settings.

Every child care centre context is different, and administrative tasks and responsibilities differ. Therefore, it is challenging to pinpoint a specific way these should be distributed. It is essential that administrators have interactions with the children, families and educators in the program. This ensures that they are firmly grounded in the work being done. However, it can be challenging to take on both an administrative and an on-the-floor leadership role. It requires balance and intentionality. Child care administrators are often working alongside children, families, staff, licensing, community agencies, and government ministries. 

Administrative leaders in child care programs play a crucial role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality care that aligns with the centre's philosophy, regulatory standards, and evidence-based practices. This is why it is imperative that they themselves are Early Childhood Educators. Their responsibilities typically encompass supporting managers and educators in carrying out day-to-day operations while simultaneously overseeing broader organizational functions. 

In most contexts, administrative leaders also work directly on-the-floor, navigating the dual responsibilities of “on-the-floor” leadership and administrative management. For the purposes of this course, participants will focus on the leadership role that encompasses financial management, human resources, governance, and the overarching operations of the centre. Beyond these administrative tasks, leaders are also responsible for fostering professionalism, ethical conduct, and staff well-being. They play a pivotal role in supporting staff development, advocating for quality early childhood education and care, and maintaining a collaborative and inclusive organizational culture.