Three important characteristics of effective program assessment practices include: defining quality as a continuum rather than a finish line, creating a program assessment process that looks at the entire program (including administrative functions), and including the input of all stakeholders in the program assessment process.

In this discussion forum, you will focus on defining quality as a continuum rather than a finish line. This means, as the director, you should constantly be improving your program and facility. Based on your completed philosophy and vision statements from Week One, Discussion 1, describe what this assessment characteristic will mean to you and your center. Be sure to specify the age group you will focus on (infants, toddlers, or preschoolers).

Include the following:

1. State the philosophy and vision of your center (including a short description).

2. Name the assessment characteristic and give a short description of what it means to you as the director.

3. Explain how this characteristic will be applied to your chosen program (including the steps you will take to ensure that continuous quality is comprehensively included in your assessment plan).

4. Describe your next steps. Explain the direction you would like your center to take to ensure continuous improvement.

5. Program Website

Many parents begin their child's program search via the Internet. Therefore, your program's website plays a very important role in communicating a first impression to families. Many prospective parents use the Internet to help them identify possible early childhood programs in their geographic area and then choose which programs they would like to visit or learn more about, based on the information they find online. This is your opportunity to market your program. An attractive and well-designed website should be easy to read. Visitors to the site should be able to find the information they need quickly, with just a few clicks of a mouse.

Please review the following childcare programs' websites:

Bright Horizons

o Childcare Network

For your Final Project, you will create the appearance of a website for your own childcare program and facility using either PowerPoint or Prezi. If you utilize PowerPoint, each slide will represent what would typically be seen on a page within a website. If you utilize Prezi, each featured point will communicate that information. Your "website" will be targeted toward prospective parents and must include all of the elements below.

Describe the following aspects of your program:

2. Name of program (Title)

3. Location

1. Where is the program located (Ex: residential neighborhood, rural, etc.)?

2. Is it easy to access from a major road or highway?

3. Is it located in a safe area? (Please use the examples in the websites listed above.)

4. Scope of services

1. What are the ages served?

2. What are the hours of service?

5. Tuition or fees

1. Is there a registration fee?

2. What is the weekly or monthly fee?

3. Are there any additional costs?

6. Philosophy or focus

1. Select a theory from Chapter 1 that interests you the most and construct your center's philosophy based on that theory.

7. In order to be prepared to respond to parents' inquiries, describe a scenario that demonstrates how your center will address each of the ten NAEYC Standards:

1. Relationships
2. Curriculum
3. Teaching
4. Assessment of Child Progress
5. Health
6. Teachers (how you support your staff)
7. Families
8. Community Relationships
9. Physical Environment (indoor and out)
10. Leadership and Management (summary of your most recent professional development experience)

8. Provide examples of the following program information:

1. Testimonials from satisfied parents (minimum of one, created by you)
2. Daily schedule
3. Photos of classrooms and playgrounds
4. Lunch and snack menus (create a sample daily menu)
5. Credentials and biographies of the staff (yours)
9. Critique one of the childcare websites listed above using the "Website Evaluation Rubric" (one slide/point). Be sure to attach the completed rubric to your slide if using PowerPoint, or incorporate the rubric as a point in your Prezi. For assistance, see "Link or Embed Files" (PowerPoint) or visit the "Learn" page on the Prezi website.

The PowerPoint must be 20 to 25 slides in length, or 20 to 25 points if using Prezi, not including title and reference slides. You are encouraged to creatively address the material using graphics, visuals, charts, graphs, and/or sound. Slides/points should be designed to clearly and concisely address the material. The PowerPoint or Prezi must be formatted according to APA style, including the title and reference slides/points. The notes section of the PowerPoint must be utilized (when explaining the NAEYC standards) to expand on your presented points. Be sure to use at least two scholarly sources and the course text.