Strategic Plan

Goal 1:    Offer a quality environment and program that meets or exceeds national standards that will facilitate children’s growth and development thereby setting the stage for school success and life long learning. (Learner Centered, Excellence, Multiculturalism, Ensure Institutional Effectiveness, Character, Confidence, Competence and Community of NKU Students)

Objective 1.1:  Obtain and maintain NAEYC accreditation.

Strategy 1.1.1:  Program staff will conduct self-study (family questionnaires, teaching staff questionnaires, classroom observations, administrators report) to determine program strengths and weaknesses to be completed by January 7, 2004.

Strategy 1.1.2:  Teachers and administrator will make necessary changes as indicated from results of self-study and technical assistance received by local resource and referral agency by January 25, 2004.

Strategy 1.1.3:  By February 1, 2005 submit program description and application for accreditation review.

Objective 1.2:  Obtain a 4-star rating by the Kentucky STARS for Kids Now Quality Rating System while maintaining our current rating.

Strategy 1.2.1:  Obtain NAEYC Accreditation.

Strategy 1.2.2:  Director obtain Director’s Credential.

Strategy 1.2.3:  Schedule STARS rating visit.

Objective 1.3:  Align ECC curriculum with Kentucky Early Childhood Standards.

Strategy 1.3.1:  Provide staff training on use of child standards once a month beginning in January 2005.

Strategy 1.3.2:  Develop an implementation plan to aligning curriculum with child standards by August 2005.

Strategy 1.3.3:  Develop transition plans for moving children from one room to the next.

Objective 1.4:  Implement continuous assessment plan using Kentucky’s Continuous Assessment Guide.

Strategy 1.4.1:  Develop and implement plan to conduct child screening and make necessary referrals.

Strategy 1.4.2:  Develop and implement plan to conduct classroom/instructional assessment using appropriate methods.

Strategy 1.4.3:  Develop and implement plan to conduct program evaluation to identify areas for program improvement.

Objective 1.5:  Develop family-program partnerships.

Strategy 1.5.1.  Provide staff training on family involvement and partnerships.

Strategy 1.5.2:  Assess current level of family involvement.

Objective 1.6:  Improve quality of work study students.

Strategy 1.6.1:  Develop recruitment process.

Strategy 1.6.2:  Develop/refine hiring process.

Strategy 1.6.3:  Orient new staff.

Strategy 1.6.4:  Define attendance expectations and establish consequences for poor attendance.

Goal 2:      To support student parents to achieve their educational goals by providing a safe, quality environment for their children while attending classes. (Access with the opportunity to succeed)

Objective 2.1:  Offer scheduling options that meet parent needs.

Objective 2.2:  Expand programming to include ages 0-5.

Goal 3:      Collaborate with university departments (e.g., education, social work, human services, nursing, psychology, accounting, marketing, business) to provide University students with a setting for observations, practicum experiences, research and internships related to the field of Early Care and Education. (Collegiality and Collaboration, Enrich the Student Experience)

Goal 4:    Serve as a recruitment tool and support retention efforts of NKU for students, staff and faculty. (Broaden Access, Enhance Academic Quality, Enhance Recruitment and Retention)

Goal 5:    Serve as a model program and training site for the larger community regarding quality care for children. (Public Engagement)