Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/new-ways-of-managing/5023087/
Thirty-eight years ago, when Exchange was launched, the few textbooks on child care administration that existed described a standard management approach where a board of directors oversaw a single director of a single center. Of course, even at that time this model did not well describe the entire field — multi-site for profit organizations were being created around the country with regional management structures; ‘mom and pop’ centers in which a husband and wife shared responsibilities were on the rise; and parenting co-ops were not uncommon.
Today, the range of approaches to managing early childhood organizations has become even more diverse. In this article I will give a few examples of these evolving structures, which hold the promise of improving the quality and sustainability of early childhood organizations. Then in 38 more years I will take a new look.
Co-directing
Of course, co-directing is not exactly new. As noted above, 38 years ago husbands and wives collaborated on operating a significant share of centers. Typically one spouse would be responsible for curriculum issues and the other administrative responsibilities. Over the years, the idea that it takes two has found new variations.
Most often two individuals work together as co-directors — one again focusing on pedagogical ...