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!