InstructionPart2 Financing Child Development Programs Three methods of financing child development programs include family payments, sponsored programs, and government support (in the form of tax supported initiatives on the federal, state, and local levels). State supported preschool is a well-known tax supported initiative aimed at making publicly funded programs available to all 3- and 4-year-olds on a voluntary basis (as opposed to being mandated). Using the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) website, please scroll down to the interactive map in the “State Profiles” area and click on your state. Please also visit the Child Care Resource and Referral Search to search for additional resources related to the state you are researching. Lastly, visit the US Department of Education’s Increasing Access to High-Quality Early Childhood Education and explore information on your state. Please respond to the following: What were your state’s preschool enrollment numbers in the last two years, as reported? Identify if there was an increase or decrease in these enrollment numbers. What were your state’s spending per enrolled child in the last two years, as reported? Identify if there was an increase or decrease in spending. Search the resources above and complete your own internet search to learn about recent changes in your particular state: What is one potential factor that could account for a variation of enrolled children? What is one potential factor that could account for the change in spending per enrolled child? Part3 Create a portrait of a hypothetical (or actual) early childhood organization/program that you either currently lead or envision yourself leading. Please respond to the following: What are the ages of the children served? What type of program will you operate? What is your enrollment? In reference to the stages of professional development as described in our readings, select the stage that you are currently in and discuss what steps you can take now to achieve your next stage. How do those steps align with your future goals?