Module 2 Discussion

Discussion: Analyzing a Budget

As the authors explain in Chapter 6 of your course text, budget planning for a child development center is influenced by many different factors, including where the organization is in its life cycle and the priorities of the organization. Because funds are rarely unlimited, center directors often must make difficult decisions regarding how to budget resources in the most strategically advantageous way. In this vein, review the sample budget for Rainbow Place (Figure 6.5) in your course text, and consider the following:

• What changes might you recommend be made in the budget for Rainbow Place, and why?
• How would these changes affect other parts of the budget?

As the authors also point out in Chapter 6, financial management and budget planning can be a challenge for all small business owners and especially for first-time childcare entrepreneurs, who often have experience in the fields of human relations and education but not necessarily in business.

Follow the instructions below to post your response to this Discussion topic.

By Day 3 of Week 3:
Post an explanation of at least two changes you might make to the budget for Rainbow Place (Fig. 6.5 in Chapter 6) if you were the center director, and why. In addition, describe how these changes would affect other parts of the budget. Then, identify at least one resource you might tap if you needed help with budget planning or other business aspects of your child development center.

By Day 7 of Week 4:
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings. As you read their responses, note those to which you would like to respond with advice, questions, comments, and/or encouragement.

Respond to two or more of your colleagues’ postings in any of the following ways:

• Build on something your colleague said.
• Explain why and how you see things differently.
• Ask a probing or clarifying question.
• Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Expand on your colleague’s posting.
• Ask for evidence that supports the posting.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Reflect on what you learned in this activity and/or insights you gained this week.