Journal 13 - Flyer

 

Please join us for our annual
Thanksgiving Feast

Where: Wiggles & Giggles CDC

When: Tuesday, November 26, 2013
@ 4:30 p.m

*Bring a canned non-perishable food item as your ticket for the feast.  These items will be donated to a local food bank*

Journal 12 - Conferences

Family-Teacher Conferences is an important tool when communicating with families about their child's development and progress in school.

Page 138 - Preparing for a Family-Teacher Conference

The child has made the most progress in the following areas: listening, following directions, communicating needs, and participation.

The activity the child enjoys most is: art time. The child loves doing arts & crafts as well as choicing the art area when it is free choice center time.

The child is most excited and attentive when: we all get together for circle time. The child enjoys our circle time routine; helper chart, puppets, and story time.

The best form of redirection for this child is: allowing them to sit at the table and do free art; coloring, painting, or drawing, or have them do a puzzle.

One objective the family could work on at home with this child is: sharing and being more patient with their friends. The child gets irritated and frustrated easily when working with others in a group setting.

At conferences it is important when discussing the child that when any issues arise the teachers offer a solution with the problem. Remain positive and keep the communication two-sided. Allow the parents to discuss their questions or concerns as well.

Journal 11 - Remembering Information

Everyone learns different and everyone remembers information better when it comes in different forms. Sally may be a visual learner, Luke may need to hear the information, and some need to hear it, see it, and write it to remember.

I personally am a visual learner. I can look at something (even for just a few seconds) and remember it. I can visualize the information in my head and relay the information to other people or to paper. I can read a book and if I need to recall something I can visualize the page of the book in my mind that I need to remember. Pictures, words, or a combination of the two allow me to absorb information the best.

It is important in early care education to make sure that all the parents are understanding and absorbing the information provided the child care program. For visual learners, I would send home memos/e-mails as well as post a PowerPoint on the front screen for parents to read and refer to for information. I would have myself as well as the teachers directly speak to the parents that need to hear the information in order to take it in. We, as staff in the early childhood education field, need to be sure that we are reaching every adult and child with any information. Everyone remembers better with one certain way. We must make it our mission to discover how they best learn and remember information and find ways to reach those different types of learners.

Journal 10 - Health Alert

Posting health alerts on the classroom door where the illness has occurred is a great communication tool. The health alert lets the parents know a contagious illness is spreading around the program and what the symptoms are, how to prevent the illness from spreading, and what to do if your child gets infected.

Health Alert:
It has recently been reported to the center that your child may have been exposed to Streptococcal Sore Throat - "Strep."

What it is:
Strep throat is a bacterial infection. Not every sore throat is strep.

What to look for:
Symptoms include;

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Oozing & redness of tonsils and throat

How it is spread:

• Inhaling respiratory droplets from an ill person
• Sneezing or coughing
• Indirect contact with hands or objects

If you suspect your child has been infected:
Isolate the child from the other children. Take the child to their pediatrician for a lab throat culture to diagnose strep.

What should be done to prevent the spread:

• Frequent hand washing
• Good personal hygiene practices should be followed
• Do not share eating utensils, food, or drinking cups
• Wash and sanitize toys mouthed by infants & toddlers

Journal 9 - Parent Policy

Parent handbooks are important. It is a book/pamphlet that has all the information that the families you serve need to know.

Authorization to pick up child

Your child will only be released to persons the parents have listed on the authorized pick up sections or emergency contacts section on the enrollment form. For security & safety issues, if someone other than the parents pick up the child from school they must be accompanied by their ID to prove identity (even if they are a relative). Once the front desk becomes familiar with that person picking up & recognizes them they may not be asked to show an ID. If the persons picking up does not have an idea or is not on the authorized list we will not release your child to them. We cannot get authorization over the phone or by word of mouth that someone that is not on the list is picking your child(ren) up. We MUST have written authorization signed by the parent to release the child(ren). 

Also, for safety & security purposes we ask that you do not give your door code that gives you access into the building to others picking up your child(ren). The parents are the only one who should have a door code. The front office will let in any other guests.
 

Journal 7 Dress for Success

I watched the episode of What Not To Wear about Tonya, a professional business owner. She had a wardrobe that Clinton & Stacy described at "blah." She had a lot of pinks and prints. However, her prints were too much and overpowering. In the 360 mirror, Tonya realized how 'frumpy' and 'boring.' Clinton told her the importance of quality not quantity. If a person is on a budget find a good quality piece every now and then and build your wardrobe. Also, they told Tonya to keep her hem line right above her knew for skirts and shorts. It is important as a business owner to look professional and look inviting. A person should be comfortable in their skin and find clothes that accents the good parts of their body and not hides it. Your wardrobe can have a little bit of personality and still look grown up and professional. This episode of What Not to Wear was helpful in me because I shop on a budget so it is important I remember "quality not quantity," going straight to the clearance rack isn't always the best option.


 It is important a person dress the part and dress for success. To me this means following the dress code that is assigned for your place of employment or position. I currently am an Assistant Director at a private preschool. My dress code is professional. I can wear slacks, skirts, dresses...anything but jeans. Friday is jean day. As far as tops, I must look professional; ironed clothes, no wholes, clean, etc. I am one of the faces for the preschool so it is crucial I look put together, ready for the day, and professional. If I was wearing jeans and t-shirts I do not look the part and future families coming in to tour may not take me seriously.

In Early Care Education, it is very hard for teachers to dress professionally. Teachers in child care programs are professionals at their job. However, working in child care isn't the cleanest/easiest job. Most teachers do not want to wear nice professional clothing because it may get dirty, torn, or who knows what else throughout the day. I do think it is important though that teachers are put together, clean, and appear ready for the day. Coming into work in sweats and a t-shirt gives a "I just rolled out of bed" impression or gives the idea that you don't care about your appearance.

Journal 6 - Confidentiality

It is crucial in dealing with children the importance of maintaining confidentiality. The scenario in the book displayed a situation where confidentiality was broken on many levels.

1.  The teacher posted a paper on the door with highlighted marks on the father's information for the mom to complete. This lets everyone know that there could be some kind of family issues. And it is not okay to put the parent's phone number on the sheet for everyone to see without permission. Also, discussing the child's physical limitations without the mother excludes her from the conversation.
2. The information regarding the child's records without his mother being present and discussing the child with other teachers that are not working directly with him violated the confidentiality code. 
3. I do not think there should have been a conversation between the two directors prior to his enrollment. 
4. I think if a meeting took place it should involved the mother, the director at the new school, and possibly the teacher. 
5. No, I think having a conversation with the classmates would make Eric stand out more and seem "different." I don't think it is their business and they don't need to know details about Eric that Eric didn't tell them himself.
6. Maybe if Eric would have been able to visit his new school before attending. Going in a few times in the beginning could have helped make the transition easier. Also, meeting his teacher and director before attending may have helped. It seems that Eric came in and they already had a bad taste in their mouth regarding him.
7. The conversation at the restaurant was inappropriate. Discussing a child in your class to other teachers as well as discussing their parents life is a violation of confidentiality.
8. I still do not think the conversation would have been appropriate, no matter where it occurred. Information regarding Jason and his family's status is not information that should be shared with other individuals.
9. I think as a director it is a very hard situation to rectify. Once confidentiality is broken it is hard to gain trust back. Directors need to make sure that teachers understand the confidentiality code and how important it is to maintain.
10. I personally would not leave my child in that school. I feel like they already have a bad impression of Eric and his mom. They consider him a "bad kid" and having family issues. They treat him differently and I think this isn't the best place for him.
11. It would be hard to move Eric because he seems to have problems with transitions. He also seems to have some physical limitations and it would be hard to have to explain to a new place again what needs to be done. Also, having Eric to start over with new children and teachers is hard. Finding a place to accept him completely may not be easy.

This scenario shows how important it is to maintain the trust of the children and families we serve.