Getting It Right From the Start

'In one relatively small volume, the authors have organized information on just about everything a school leader needs to get a well-designed program off the ground and make sure it will get better as time goes on' - Harriet A. Egertson, Early Childhood Consultant Early Childhood Assessment Consortium, Council of Chief State School Officers. Prepare our youngest students for future learning success with effective ECE programs! To ensure that young children are ready to enter kindergarten, elementary schools are becoming increasingly involved in early childhood education (ECE), and more and more principals have to deal with ECE issues. Now this practical manual shows principals what successful ECE programs look like - and how to achieve quality results in their schools and communities. The authors provide an inside view of the field, touching on key areas of operation and discussing ways to avoid common pitfalls. Blending research-based content with practical applications, this accessible guide helps principals and other administrators: gain a foundational understanding of how very young children learn; create quality environments and practices for teaching early learners; provide the kind of feedback staff need to improve; work successfully with ECE agencies and providers; and, easily implement the strategies outlined using reproducible forms, templates, and checklists. This comprehensive resource presents the information principals need to become key players in educating our nation's youngest learners!