This page will help you get ready to create an Elevate Program Plan.
1. Reflect on where your program is right now
Think about your child care program as it is right now. What are its strengths? What are its growth areas? Do you have any data you can use? Consider:
- Feedback from families
- Feedback from staff
- Information about the children in your care
- Reflections from self-assessment tools or program observations
- Your program’s financial situation
- Your program’s licensing or health inspection reports
Use these self-reflection tools to evaluate your program
OEC worked with NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) to develop these tailored tools for child care centers.
- Curriculum Planning (Centers)
- Program Professional Development Plan (Centers)
- Connecting with Families (Centers)
- Facility: Your space and setting (Centers)
2. Decide what you want your program to become
Now, focus on what you’d like to improve. Are there skills you’d like your staff to learn? Do you want to expand or upgrade your facility? Don’t be afraid to think big at this stage.
Elevate offers resources for child care providers and across 6 focus areas. When you choose one, you’re making a commitment to your program, your staff, and the families you serve.
3. Set SMART goals
SMART Goals will help make your plan actionable and measurable. Think about how you could break up your big picture goals from step 2 into concrete SMART goals. Remember: your Program Plan has to include 1 to 3 SMART goals.
| Specific | Specific goals are clear and well-defined. They include what is going to be achieved, by whom, when, and where. |
| Measurable | Measurable goals have clear markers of success, both for the end result and for milestones along the way. |
| Attainable | Attainable goals are reasonable and realistic. |
| Relevant | Relevant goals support the program’s mission and vision. |
| Time framed | Time-framed goals have a clearly-defined window for completion. |
Need help setting SMART goals?
Check out our guide on how to create SMART goals. It has:
- An overview of what SMART goals are
- Examples of SMART goals for each Elevate Focus Area
- Sample SMART goals from other programs
Read the handouts:
4. Create your plan using our online form
Now you’re ready to set the concrete action steps that will help you meet your SMART goals.
Our online form will guide you through the process of creating your plan — and they have helpful tips, definitions, and details about how Service Navigators will evaluate your plan.
Connect with a Service Navigator. They’re experienced guides who can talk about your program’s needs and direct you to Elevate resources.