Course Objectives

Kindergarten Management has several aims. Students will:

• Gain better insight into how we may analyse the work done in day-care centres, viewed in a social and organisational context
• Develop greater insight into what leading a day-care centre involves
• Develop the ability to execute and solve tasks related to planning, implementation and assessment of professional and innovative development in day-care centres
• Gain insight into the relevant political and administrative system
• Be able to explain that coordination and cooperation are fundamental for a favourable developmental environment for children

Course units

In accordance with the National curriculum for the study programme the following four major course units are included:

• Organisation and leadership
• Administration and knowledge of government departments
• Innovation and interdisciplinary development
• Interdepartmental cooperation about the children’s developmental conditions

Study programme – content and structure

The major course unit Organisation and Leadership covers roughly half the content of the study programme, and provides the basis for the study of the other course units. The course unit contains several course components and is divided into the following teaching units or course units:

• Organisation theory, 9 ECTS
• Personnel management, 6 ECTS
• Administration and knowledge of public departments, 6 ECTS
• The day-care centre as an organisation, including project, 9 ECTS

Course unit 1 – Organisation theory

This course unit mostly concerns theories regarding the structure of organisations. Students will be provided with a systematic introduction to the main processes of organisations, and learn about the conditions in and around organisations that influence thoughts and behaviour of those participating in them.

The following course components will be addressed:

• Organisation theory
• The partner model
• Management and life views
• Motivation
• Fundamental organisation processes
• Personal development as a leader
• Organisational development
• Professional development activities as a method for change
• Pedagogical development activities
• User participation

Course unit 2 – Personnel management

This course unit discusses and provides an overview of personnel administration tasks. Emphasis will be placed on considerations and management choices that must be taken regarding personnel management in an organisation.

The following course components will be addressed:

• Personnel development
• Personnel planning
• Recruitment and hiring
• Skills development
• Communication and interaction
• Cooperation and conflicts in the day-care centre
• Supervision (mandatory seminar)

Course unit 3 – Administration and knowledge of public departments

Through working with this course unit, students will gain deeper insight into administrative procedures and the specific functions and services of day-care centres. The laws and regulations that currently regulate working conditions in day-care centres will also be addressed. Furthermore, students will acquire a thorough and more comprehensive understanding of the framework conditions for the operation of day-care centres, with particular emphasis placed on the on political and administrative system (knowledge of public services and departments).

The following course components will be addressed:

• Relevant legislation
• Regulations and the system of agreements for day-care centres
• The political and administrative system
• Structure and function
• Administrative procedures and office routines
• Budgets and accounting in municipalities and day-care centres
• The interests of day-care centres in the political/administrative system
• Interaction and cooperation between administrative management and national, regional and local authorities
• Government grants for day-care centres

Course unit 4 – The day-care centre as an organisation (includes project)

This course unit focuses on the day-care centre as an organisation. In this course unit, students will further develop a comprehensive understanding of the day-care centre and employ organisational perspectives when analysing work processes in the day-care centre.

Students will gain insight and practice in how they may plan, carry out and evaluate professional development activities in their own institution, with emphasis on strategies and methods for strengthening the participation of users (children and parents) in development and innovation activities. Students will achieve this through a project work related to daily day-care centre work.

The following subjects will be addressed:

• The day-care centre as an organisation
• Leadership roles in day-care centres
• Organisational culture
• The physical and psychological/emotional working environment
• Day-care centre development – theories and methods
• Annual planning

Quality assurance and evaluation

Learning Methods

Teaching and learning methods will vary in relation to the content, alternating among theory, reflection, discussions and practical exercises reflecting the emphasis put on attaining competence in communication, team-work and leadership.

Teaching practice is an integral part of the study programme, and should preferably be related to the role of the day-care centre leader.

Students will receive supervision and be assessed throughout the study programme. This ongoing supervision and assessment will form the basis for their final assessment.

Requirement: Students must have attained passing grades in course units 1, 2 and 3 prior to attempting the final oral examination in course unit 4.

Assessment Methods

Course unit 1: Individual portfolio assessment; one of three delivered assignments will be selected and assessed. Graded A-F.

Course unit 2: Web-based assessment and proposed solution of a case, individually or in groups. Graded A-F.

Course unit 3: Written individual, 2-day home examination. Graded A-F

Course unit 4: Project assignment in groups of 3-5 students. Final oral group examination, defending the project. Graded A-F

The study programme yields a single final grade. Grades A-F are awarded, where A is the highest and E is the lowest passing grade. The course units count respectively 30% (course unit 1), 20% (course unit 2), 20% (course unit 3) and 30% (course unit 4). Students must achieve a passing grade in each course unit in order to achieve a final passing grade.

For further information please refer to Telemark University College’s Examination Regulation.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean