Date of Award
1-1-1991
Document Type
Practicum
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Child and Youth Care Administration
Advisor
June Delano
Committee Member
Roberta W. Francis
Keywords
child care, community agencies, day care, family day care, intergenerational, intergenerational programs, job satisfaction, older adults, personnel recruitment, preschool, preschool administration, senior citizens, staff retention, staff turnover, staffing, training, volunteer programs, workforce development
Abstract
The purpose of this practicum was to offer intergenerational programming as an alternative solution to the problem of high job turnover, low staff retention, and lack of qualified personnel to fill vacancies in preschool programs.
One county was chosen as the focus for the program and three seminars were designed to introduce the concept to preschool administrators and to motivate and educate older adults to the idea of working or volunteering as child care workers. Community agencies and resources were identified as co-sponsors for the project. Brochures and flyers were sent out through these agencies to child care administrators and senior citizens in the county. Speakers and presenters were engaged to provide information on intergenerational programs, the need for such programs, training, recruitment. and personal experiences.
The results of the practicum were encouraging. All of the objectives were met in a satisfactory manner. Twenty four older adults attended two seminars and their feedback and interest in child care as a option for volunteer or paid employment illustrated the viability of this program. Child care administrators who attended the two seminars also expressed an interest in using older adults as child care workers in their programs or as family day care providers.