Discussion: Legal and Regulatory Concerns

As a program administrator, you must take into account not only issues relating to the day-to-day care of children, but also the legal and regulatory aspects of the industry. Licensing, zoning laws, building codes, and compliance with labor laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act are important examples of this. In this Discussion, you will consider how, as a program administrator, you might navigate legal and regulatory waters while balancing all of your other important responsibilities.

To prepare for this Discussion, reflect on the following:

As a program administrator, how might you blend your day-to-day responsibilities in caring for children and communicating with families with your responsibilities relating to legal and regulatory aspects of the industry? Would one take precedence over the other? Why or why not?

In what ways might your decision making be influenced by specific legal and regulatory concerns? How might your management and leadership styles affect your approach toward decision making on these issues?

With these thoughts in mind, follow the instructions below to post your response to this Discussion topic.

Post an analysis of your thoughts on how, as a program administrator, you might blend day-to-day children-, family-, and staff-related responsibilities with your duty to ensure that your program meets legal and regulatory requirements of the industry. Then, identify at least two specific legal or regulatory issues you learned about during this module, and explain how these issues might influence your decision making as a program administrator. Include a description of how your management and leadership styles might affect your approach to these issues.