Provides an overview of the demographic and theoretical context within which child development programs operate, and a look at the core competencies that make them work KEY TOPICS: Managing children's centers in the 21st Century; leadership skills; types of child development programs; applying theories in managing a child development/early childhood education program; core competencies: reflective management, organizational management, fiscal management, personnel management, human relations, facilities management, managing health and safety issues, managing food service, educational programming, family support, marketing and public relations, assessment and evaluation, leadership and advocacy; NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment MARKET: For Early Childhood Education AdministratorsAbout the Author: Patricia Hearron teaches child development and early education at Appalachian State University where she has coordinated the Birth-Kindergarten teacher preparation program since 1994. Before coming to Appalachian, she worked with children and families in a variety of roles: as Child Life Specialist in a children's health clinic; a teacher and director of full- and part-day programs; a state child care licensing agent; and as a consultant, conducting professional development workshops for teachers and caregivers in Michigan, North Carolina and Texas. In addition to Management of Child Development Programs, she is co-author (with Verna Hildebrand) of Guiding Young Children. She has published and presented on a wide variety of early childhood topics, including the importance of outdoor play, inclusion of children with disabilities in infant-toddler programs, the project approach, and aspects of the Reggio Emilia approach to early education and care. Verna Hildebrand taught child development and early education in the College of Human Ecology at Michigan State University. She is internationally recognized as an expert in the field and has published several widely used textbooks, including an Introduction to Early Childhood Education; Parenting: Rewards and Responsibilities; and Knowing and Serving Diverse Families. In addition to Management of Child Development Programs, she is co-author (with Patricia Hearron) of Guiding Young Children.