Evaluation of A Business Management Program to Promote Child Care Educator Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Even though the tenuous financial model for Early Care and Education (ECE) is one of the primary reasons for many ECE programs’ permanent closing, considerably little attention has been devoted to supporting ECE leaders’ business knowledge and skills. Supporting the leadership and business practices can be an effective strategy for ensuring a strong supply of high-quality ECE for children and families. Using a randomized controlled trial (RCT), this study evaluated the effectiveness of a business management course (BMC) for ECE program leaders serving under resourced communities. Half of the sample was randomly assigned to the BMC intervention group and received a 14-week training. After controlling for the pre-test scores, perceived business management skills and confidence in business practices were higher among the BMC participants than those in the control group. This study provides insights into efforts to improve the sustainability of ECE programs.