Reviewing NAEYC’s mission statement

Materials Needed

·   NAEYC Mission statement, at: http://www.naeyc.org/about/mission or

·   Handout A-1 “Our Misson / NAEYC Mission Statement”

·   Handout A-2 Worksheet for Reviewing NAEYC’s mission statement

Begin this activity by reading (individually or as a group) the NAEYC Mission statement. Then in pairs or small groups, discuss and/or complete Handout A-2. (questions below)

1.   Who do you believe had a stake in writing NAEYC’s mission statement?

2.   Why do you believe the mission statement for NAEYC also includes a statement of the philosophy and values of the agency?

3.   Is it necessary for each program to have a mission that also includes philosophy and values? Why or why not?

4.   Do you think NAEYC’s mission statement should be used universally at all early learning centers in the United States?

5.   How could you, if you were a staff member for an early learning program, show in your daily practice that you support NAEYC’s mission statement?

Option 2: Identifying what makes a quality mission statement

Materials Needed

·   Handout A-3 “Childcare Center Mission Statements” and Handout A-4, “Childcare Center Mission Statements Worksheet”

·   Highlight markers

Option 3: Quality mission statement: high school example

Materials Needed

·   Examples of your High School’s Mission Statement

·   Show this Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7ak710tUCM

Goals

NAEYC expresses its mission in terms of three broad goals:

1.	Improving professional practice and working conditions in early childhood education.
2.	Supporting early childhood programs by working to achieve a high-quality system of early childhood education.
3.	Building a high-performing, inclusive organization of groups and individuals who are committed to promoting excellence in early childhood education for all young children.

 

Vision Statement

NAEYC's efforts are designed to achieve these ends:

All children have access to a safe and accessible, high quality early childhood education that includes a developmentally appropriate curriculum; knowledgeable and well-trained program staff and educators; and comprehensive services that support their health, nutrition, and social well-being, in an environment that respects and supports diversity.

All early childhood professionals are supported as professionals with a career ladder, ongoing professional development opportunities, and compensation that attracts and retains high quality educators.

All families have access to early childhood education programs that are affordable and of high quality and actively participate in their children's education as respected reciprocal partners.

All communities, states, and the nation work together to ensure accountable systems of high-quality early childhood education for all children.

Strategic Objectives

NAEYC achieves its goals by:

Providing professional development opportunities and resources for those who work for and with young children

Convening individuals and groups with diverse perspectives to generate new knowledge and understanding of issues affecting the education and development of young children and their families.

Setting and publicizing standards that promote excellence in early childhood education and early childhood professional preparation.

Implementing systems to recognize early childhood education programs and early childhood professional preparation programs that meet NAEYC standards and guidelines.

Building public understanding and support for activities and services that promote the healthy development and learning of all young children and their families.

Advocating for public policies-and funding-to support a comprehensive system of high-quality early childhood education for all young children and families.

Fostering the development of a network of high-performing, inclusive organizations that share the goal of promoting excellence in early childhood education for all young children.

Statement of Philosophy and Values

Accomplishing NAEYC's mission is dependent on:

building the commitment, loyalty, and enthusiasm of thousands of people by providing opportunities for participation, contribution, and building consensus on critical issues;

valuing and respecting individuals with diverse viewpoints and perspectives who share a commitment to the education and development of young children;

designing programs and services that support individual and collective efforts to improve all early childhood programs regardless of sponsorship, funding, or structure;

encouraging and supporting a strong network of AEYC Affiliates that provide leadership and professional growth opportunities at the community and state levels;

supporting the development of individuals' professional competence and attitudes primarily through education, persuasion, and modeling;

building and maintaining a strong organizational structure (governance, communication, financial base, headquarters staff and facility) to provide leadership, coordination, and services.



NAEYC seeks to become a more highly functioning organization that exemplifies its mission and vision and is enriched by and continually grows from the ongoing institutional commitment to diversity and inclusion as a core value in its work throughout the Association.

1.	Who do you believe had a stake in writing NAEYC’s mission statement?

     

2.	Why do you believe the mission statement for NAEYC also includes a statement of the philosophy and values of the agency?

     

3.	Is it necessary for each program to have a mission that also includes philosophy and values? Why or why not?

     

4.	Do you think NAEYC’s mission statement should be used universally at all early learning centers in the United States? Why or why not?

     

5.	How could you, if you were a staff member for an early learning program, show in your daily practice that you support NAEYC’s mission statement?

      

Worksheet for NAEYC Missions Statement
TEACHER’S KEY

 

Begin this activity by reading (individually or as a group) the NAEYC Mission statement or Handout A-1. Then in pairs or small groups, discuss and complete the following:

 

1.	Who do you believe had a stake in writing NAEYC’s mission statement?
Anyone who has an interest in the child care center would be involved in writing the Mission Statement, including the owner, director, staff, advisory board, community members, parents, children and staff together.

  

2.	Why do you believe the mission statement for NAEYC also includes a statement of the philosophy and values of the agency?
Mission Statements describe what makes a program unique and explain the overall vision of the program. It describes the goals and makes clear what is important for the program’s function.

  

3.	Is it necessary for each program to have a mission that also includes philosophy and values? Why or why not?
Yes. Philosophy and values reflect what the program does on a daily basis as part of their daily practice. Families will pick a child care program based on its Mission Statement and expect it to carry out its stated philosophy and values .

  

4.	Do you think NAEYC’s mission statement should be used universally at all early learning centers in the United States? Why or why not?
I believe NAEYC’s mission statement should be explained and used as a guide at learning centers but also each center should create its own mission statement with its own values and philosophy.

  

5.	How could you, if you were a staff member for an early learning program, show in your daily practice that you support NAEYC’s mission statement?
Staff members in a child care program need to serve and act on the behalf of the needs, rights and well-being of all young children. At the same time they need to provide educational and developmental services and resources for children and families in the child care programs

 

Handout A-3
Childcare Center Mission Statements

 

Mission statement #1
The ABC Childcare Center exists to provide a safe, developmentally appropriate environment for preschool and school age children. Our focus is to provide a stimulating early care and education experience which promotes each child's social/emotional, physical and cognitive development. Our goal is to support children's desire to be life-long learners.

 

Mission statement #2
Bright Eyes is a Diverse Learning Community committed to programs of excellence for children, their families, and educators that embody best practices of early childhood education and promote collaborations that help all children realize their full potential.

 

Mission statement #3
We are a leader in child education and family solutions, which impact and inspire lifelong learning.

 

Mission statement #4
The mission of the Little Cowboys Child Care is to provide quality early childhood care for the children of parents working at the University of Wyoming. We offer both full and part-time programs. Our program is designed to meet the special needs of infant, toddler and preschool children in a safe and nurturing environment. Our goal is to strengthen the bridge between your work and family life by creating a special place that supports them both.

 

Mission statement #5
The mission of the Viking Child Care Center is to provide safe, affordable, high quality child care for the Viking Valley community. The Viking Child Care Center provides a cognitively-based program for children ages six weeks to five years. We provide a home-like environment where children are encouraged to develop at their own pace. The Viking staff is committed to the families we serve, providing support and encouragement.

 

Mission statement #6
At Miss Tami’s Family Child Care Center, we provide a home environment that stimulates the whole child.

 

Mission statement #7
Little Kidz Academy is a family child care home caring for no more than 10 children ranging in ages from 6 weeks to 12 years. This family child care home strives to provide a safe and fun environment for the children attending to learn and grow in. All activities will be developmentally appropriate for the ages and stages that each individual child is in. The program will facilitate the development of the children by observing and implementing a lesson plan that coincides to the development of all the children and their interests.

 

Handout A-4
Childcare Center Mission Statements Worksheet

 

Name	Per	Date

 

Working in pairs or alone, read each of the Childcare Mission Statements on Handout A-3. Using highlight markers, highlight parts of the statement that you feel make a high quality program.

 

You are assigned one of the mission statements from the Handout A-3.
Mission Statement number___________________

 

Reflect on five ways that your Mission Statement can carry out their programs’ Mission Statement in their daily interactions with children and families.

 

1.

 

2.

 

3.

 

4.

 

5.

 

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1.	Who needs to be licensed in Washington State?

   

2.	Where can I find the WACs for a center?

   

3.	WACs for a family home child care center?

   

4.	What would my responsibility be as a staff member in a program in terms of knowing the WACs?

 

Childcare Center Mission Statements
TEACHER’S KEY

  

Working in pairs or alone, read each of the Mission Statements on Handout A-3. Using highlight markers, highlight parts of the statement that you feel make a high quality program.

   

You are assigned one of the mission statements from the Handout A-3.

 

Mission Statement number: Each statement may have varied responses.

 

Reflect on five ways that your Mission Statement can carry out their programs’ Mission Statement in their daily interactions with children and families.
Example:

1.	Provide a safe environment for children.

 

2.	Inspire lifelong learning with stimulating curriculum and environment.

 

3.	Provide staff that is knowledgeable,caring and conscientious in all they do for children.

 

4.	Collaborate with families so they can be aware and involved on a daily basis.

 

5.	Follow licensing guidelines/laws, WACs to implement and keep current with regulations.

  

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

 

1.	Who needs to be licensed in Washington State?
Individuals, entities and agencies that provide care for children must be licensed.
Examples: Family home care providers and private child cares, early learning programs and preschools need to be licensed.

 

2.	Where can I find the WACs for a center?
They can be found in the Child Care Center Licensing Guidebook DEL-LC-2001(x) 10/06 Wa. Dept of Early Learning

 

3.	WACs for a family home child care center?
Washington State Family Home are Child Care Licensing Guide 2nd ed., DEL, 2013

 

4.	What would the responsibility be as a staff member in a program in terms of knowing the WACs?
WACS are best practice requirements and guidelines for staff members to use in situations where they need help knowing what to do. Staff needs to be able to access and understand WACs so they may refer to them when needed.

 

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