CRITICAL ANALYSIS 1

Critical Analysis Report

Brittany Addison
Wilmington University



























CRITICAL ANALYSIS 2


Describe the program

Since Mickens Early Learrning Academy is a small for profit Child-Care agency
they are not affiliated with other agencies that offer programs for the children and
families they serve. Therefor, I have chosen to write my Critical Analysis Report on the
agencies educational curriculum because, after all, the Child -Care agency does carry the
word academy but I believe that the agencies educational curriculum needs some
improvements. It is important to understand that an academy is a structured like day care
that concentrates on improving social skills and cognitive skills. An academy is
designed to prepare children for pre-school and kindergarten where as a day care is
simply designed to provide safe Child-Care.

According to the CEO and CAO of Mickens Early Learning Academy, their
mission consists of nurturing and educating young minds, to ensure a prosperous
future for all society, in a loving environment. The environment is beyond loving,
and the children do learn, however, the agency lacks structure with in their
curriculum.
Their academic curriculum consists of a program called, kumon and star fall.
Kumon is a after-school learning program designed to help master the basics of math
and reading (Kumon, 2004). The purpose of the kumon method is to allow each
child to progress by practicing material until concepts are mastered. Teachers are
expected to assign materials and place advancement according to the strengths and
weaknesses of each child. Kumon is geared towards building a solid educational
CRITICAL ANALYSIS 3
foundation for children and/or address possible learning problems. The kumon
method are assignments that take twenty minutes a day and then children are
expected to work on the intended lesson at home (Kumon,2004).
Starfall is an electronic method used to teach children to read with phonics.
The starfall method is a systematic approach for children in pre-school, kindergarten,
first grade though second grade, special education, and English language
development. The program is a free public service for children under eight years
(Kumon, 2004).
Who is responsible for managing the program
Drs. Mr. and Mrs. Mickens both manage the program. Mr. Mickens is CEO, chief
executive officer; the visionary. He ensures that the agencies mission is being fulfilled while
he is also responsible for articulating the aspirations of the agency. Mrs. Mickens is the CAO,
chief academic officer; the developer. She is responsible for the implementation and
development of the program. Thus, the CAO is in charge of the designing and implementing
an academic curriculum and developing appropriate lesson plans that encourage physical,
emotional, social, and academic growth (Schipp, 2010).

How is the program managed?


The kumon method is managed by teachers and by the CAO. There are several different
kumon books that pertain to different developmental skills. For example: one book
encourages helping children develop pencil skills while another book helps children read and
write numbers. The CAO makes copies her selected lesson (in the book) and has the children
complete the exercise then observes areas that the children need to work on. Sometimes, if
CRITICAL ANALYSIS 4
needed, the CAO has a discussion with parents on their childs shortcomings.

The star fall method is used with an i-pad, as there is a free app for instructors to have
excess to learning instructions and documentaries. Usually the teachers connect the i-pad to
the projector where children sit in groups and watch the lesson. For example: one lesson
consisted of distinguishing a lower case a with and upper case A and children are
expected to differentiate the different sounds of the letter A as well. If the children are
working on the i-pad directly they are able to drag the letters into different categories.

If you were the director, what would you keep the same?

I were the director, I would certainly use the same learning methods however, I would
implement a systematic and routine schedule centered around academics. Every day I would
have the teachers work one on one with each child so teachers and parents are able to
determine whether or not the child is making any improvements. Everyday children will have
an individual lesson plan tailored to meet their needs. All children would have a folder that
would go home with them. The folder would include documents that would outline and assess
all of their assignments along with their improvements and things that they need to improve.
I believe that implementing a structured curriculum where children are consistently
being monitored on various domains is critical, not only for the children but for the
agencies reputation and growth.

I think that the starfall method is an absolutely wonderful way for children to become
engaged in learning and help improve fine motor skills. Unfortunately, MELA only has one i-
pad. I would want each child to have his or her own i-pad so they are able to work
CRITICAL ANALYSIS 5
individually and become familiar with operating an i-pad. Also, the i-pad would consist of
other apps that promote fun learning.
How would you go about getting continued funding for the program

I would encourage the CAO to apply for a grant to cover all of the i-pad expenses. There
are grants for for-profit agencies and for small businesses. There are grants for specific ages,
ethnicities, sex and groups. For example: there are grants for African American females who
have small businesses.

If you were the director, what are some of the qualities you would look for in employees
for this program?


If I were the director, I would look for certain qualities in my teachers. One quality
would be education. I would want all of my teachers to have some type of education or degree
in early childhood education or education. The teachers have to be able to help assist children
learn and prepare children for kindergarten. Thus, they must possess knowledge of learning
disabilities, physical impairments, age appropriate social skills, and cognitive skills
(Kumon,2004) . I would want one teacher to have experience teaching pre-k and/or first grade
and one teacher to have a degree in special education. By hiring a teacher who has taught pre-
k he or she will be able to determine whether or not the child is ready to move on. Teachers
must possess the ability to instruct age appropriate lessons and maintain individual student
portfolios that include skills checklist, labeled work samples, and narrative reports. I would
also want my the teachers to have good social skills because the teachers are responsible to for
communicating with parents on a daily basis.
References:

CRITICAL ANALYSIS 6
Kumon, (2004). My first book of uppercase letters. Retrieved from: www.kumon.com

Schipp, D. (2010). Forging a Strong Relationship between the CEO and CAO. . Retrieved
from: http://www.jgacounsel.com/2010/08/forging-a-strong-relationship-between-the