The art of leadership is saying no, not yes. It is very easy to say yes.
-Tony Blair
For the May/June 2006 issue of
Exchange, a panel of non profit leaders were surveyed about the status of the non profit early childhood world. In part, here is what they had to say about the impact of the Pre-K movement on non profits...
What the future holds is far from certain. As Doug Baird concludes, the universal pre-k movement “ . . . could be a blessing or a curse. I am very close to it (perhaps too close) and cannot honestly tell you. The trouble at the moment is that it is really, on the street, all promise and no performance. We are all on our tippy toes ready for the starter’s gun to blam. It is not clear what direction and what pace will win the race.”
... The bottom line, according to our panel of experts, is that non profits need to adjust to the new realities of their world, or be faced with dimming prospects. This means that they will need to team up with new players at the state and local levels �" players who may have different views on curriculum goals, on accountability, on staff qualifications, on ways of managing organizations.
School districts often operate in an insular world and they won’t understand or appreciate the value of the community-based sector unless they become informed. Getting into the fray of advocacy �" advocating for mandatory contracting with the community-based child care sector �" is the bottom line for success.
The entire article, "
Non Profit Child Care Outlook: After 160 Years, It's Time to Change," can be viewed on our web site.
Comments (3)
Displaying All 3 CommentsCamp Fire USA FirstTexas Council
Fort Worth, TX, United States
With so much emphasis on Pre-K, Camp Fire USA First Texas Council is concerned that it may be at the expense of younger children. Focusing on Pre-K may cause the needs of infants and toddlers to be pushed aside, and as we all know, the brain's development is critical in these early years from birth to age 3.
Tuesday's Child Preschool
Pemberton, New Jersey, United States
New Jersey has been contracting with us and with other non-profit childcare providers for the past several years to provide services for children living in low-income areas. There have been challenges, but on the whole the partnership among the state, the local school district, and the community providers has worked very well in our district.
Save the Children
Xai-Xai, Gaza, United States
Just to say thank you so much for the rich materials you have been sending to me, I really learning alot. I feel like ready to start an ECD program tomorrw. unfortunately i will be starting in Octuber.
Post a Comment