Graduation Term

Summer 2025

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

School of Teaching and Learning

Committee Chair

Amanda Quesenberry

Committee Co-Chair

Carolyn Hunt

Committee Member

Kyle Miller

Committee Member

Robyn Brookshire

Abstract

This multi-method (QUAL + qual) study explores childcare leaders’ perspectives on program philosophies at the intersection of care, education, and business, which I call The Childcare Tripartite. Recognizing the significant dependency on high-quality childcare services and the foundational role of program philosophies in achieving this quality, this research addresses a notable gap in the literature regarding how early childhood leaders communicate and prioritize their program philosophies within the complex American childcare landscape. Employing semi-structured interviews, documentary materials, and demographic forms, and analyzed through both thematic and deductive content analysis, drawing on Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle, the study uncovers how philosophical underpinnings are often lived but implicitly practiced, frequently conflated with organizational missions, and heavily influenced by financial and regulatory realities. Findings indicate a disconnect between espoused values and practical implementation, with operational demands often sidelining deeper philosophical reflection. This dissertation provides a nuanced understanding of childcare leadership, emphasizing the critical need for explicit philosophical engagement to ensure professional, credible, and equitable practices that enhance quality across all dimensions of childcare.

Access Type

Dissertation-Open Access

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30707/ETD.1763755358.52082

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Available for download on Thursday, September 10, 2026

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