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The relevance of the subject of the article. The approval and implementation of the Federal Educational Program of Preschool Education is currently a particularly relevant and significant problem for the preschool education system, since it is aimed at creating in Russia a unified educational space for the upbringing and education of children from birth to admission to a general education organization, providing equal, high-quality conditions for preschool education, regardless of the child's place of residence.

The purpose of the article. To characterize the formation and development of the idea of programming in Russian preschool education and education, to reveal the features of the Federal Educational Program of Preschool Education as a regulatory document defining the vector of development of the modern system of domestic preschool education.

Description of the research progress. The purpose of the study was to identify the formation and development of education and training programs in kindergartens, to describe the specifics of the Federal Educational Program of Preschool Education. The study analyzed the program documents defining the content of preschool education and training at different historical stages. Its structural components were characterized, the content of the target, content, organizational sections was disclosed, the extensions and clarifications introduced into the Federal Program for the first time were highlighted.

Research results. A generalized retrospective analysis of the experience of developing and implementing preschool education programs from 1918 to our days is presented, and the ways of transforming the idea of programming in preschool education are outlined. An analytical review of preschool education programs revealed a sequence of expanding the content of preschool education, the emergence of new sections in their structure, justified by a change in educational paradigms, the introduction of new approaches, achievements of science and practice. The Federal Educational Program defines the basic volume and content of preschool education that are uniform for the Russian Federation and are mastered by students in organizations that carry out educational activities according to educational programs of preschool education, allows them to realize the fundamental functions of preschool education. It was developed in accordance with the Federal Educational Standard of Preschool Education, takes into account the traditions and scientific and theoretical foundations of domestic preschool education, the experience of creating and implementing educational programs of preschool education.

Conclusion. The Federal Program is the successor to the best traditions of domestic preschool education, includes educational and methodological documentation that defines the goals, objectives, content of educational and pedagogical work with children of infant, early and preschool age in modern conditions. The Federal Program ensures the unity of the content of education in all organizations engaged in educational activities for preschool education, creates conditions for the formation of traditional Russian values in children, and preserves the possibility of developing the variability of preschool education.

This paper reports on an interview study with directors of Head Start and child care programs who are collaborating with local education authorities to provide publicly funded preschool in New Jersey, USA. A standardized interview protocol was utilized with 98 directors chosen to represent a range of center types from across the three main regions of the state. Interviews were conducted over the phone. The study examined the kinds of preparation that these directors received for their work as program leaders, the areas that these directors identified as strengths and weaknesses, and the kinds of professional development that they perceived as necessary to perform their jobs well. Results indicate that given the wide range of qualifications and work experiences among directors in this mixed service delivery system, targeted professional development focusing on both administration and early childhood content is needed. These findings suggest that policy makers and administrators of preschool programs should conduct needs assessments of their preschool directors and school leaders to ensure that professional development opportunities address different levels of experience and expertise appropriate for leaders working in these systems. Because of the complexity of leading programs with mixed sources of funding and policy mandates, it is also suggested that competencies be articulated for preschool leaders and that institutions of higher education develop early childhood leadership preparation programs.

This paper reports on an interview study with directors of Head Start and child care programs who are collaborating with local education authorities to provide publicly funded preschool in New Jersey, USA. A standardized interview protocol was utilized with 98 directors chosen to represent a range of center types from across the three main regions of the state. Interviews were conducted over the phone. The study examined the kinds of preparation that these directors received for their work as program leaders, the areas that these directors identified as strengths and weaknesses, and the kinds of professional development that they perceived as necessary to perform their jobs well. Results indicate that given the wide range of qualifications and work experiences among directors in this mixed service delivery system, targeted professional development focusing on both administration and early childhood content is needed. These findings suggest that policy makers and administrators of preschool programs should conduct needs assessments of their preschool directors and school leaders to ensure that professional development opportunities address different levels of experience and expertise appropriate for leaders working in these systems. Because of the complexity of leading programs with mixed sources of funding and policy mandates, it is also suggested that competencies be articulated for preschool leaders and that institutions of higher education develop early childhood leadership preparation programs.