The Child Care Program Director Kept Going and Going and Going!

Child Care Directors Looking to Enroll

Well before I became an early childhood education level 3 director (NC), I was a mommy being given a full scale lecture about young children and all about how she knew the way that children needed to be ready to go to school and all about how she has the methods to do so.  But, she kept going on and on.  It is rather disturbing for a child care director to talk, talk, talk like this.

I love to hear myself talk, all except when families are shopping for the best ECE environment for their little precious ones.  Humility comes over me, opening my ears, closing my mouth.

Programs are best sold when the families needs are individualized, so much so that the program is flexed for ALL families and their care needs.  My top ten golden director rules while seeking enrollment. (not in order of importance)

1.  Notify the classrooms that you are visiting classrooms.  It's best when the family hears you do this versus appearing sneaky.
2.  Always, always, Always invite the family into your neat and dainty office.  Allow the family to lead the conversation.
3.  Add bells and whistles as you meander the visit, but don't overload.  (piano lessons, soccer, flag football, etc.)
4.  Always ask about family's careers and backgrounds.
5.  Never allow the family to depart without mentioning and identifying their greatest concerns.
6.  Take a moment to ask if they are ready to enroll today.
7.  Set a date to follow up if enrollment is likely.
8.  Talk about safety of the facility.
9.  Mention any and all community services opportunities.
10.  Walk the family to the door.

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Star-studded: Wakanda Elementary students create mosaics in partnership with UW-Stout (w/video)

Star-studded: Wakanda Elementary students create mosaics in partnership with UW-Stout (w/video): MENOMONIE — Wakanda Elementary School 3rd-grader Skylar McLeod placed a glass tile on one of the white pillars in the school cafeteria. The pillar is one of four decorated Thursday by all the elementary students and many staff members, and

Preschool Age Children and Tragic Events

Preschool Age Children and Tragic Events

Stability, Calmness, and Reassurance

When young children are exposed to serious events, their lives can be changed forever.  This past week, our great nation withstood another act of senseless violence.  While the past acts of violence were horrific,  I felt the blood in my body  begin to boil during the evening news when I heard of this situation.  It not only boiled, but forced hot tears to touch my cheeks  I tried my very best to hold back, but the recorded voice of the young four year old child in the vehicle sent me to my prayer closet for sure! “Mommy, I am here with you.  It’s okay.”  To later learn that the child was four years old, and had the ability to apply one of the strongest socio-emotional skills was amazing!  It is difficult to teach young children empathy and sympathy and she not only demonstrated her knowledge and skill, but her voice is one that will never be forgotten, and one that I hope will be able to ignite conversations and change for young children.  Our children are the future, and unless everyone wants to have failed as a parent and society, we better get our Acts together.  Our children are still living in the United States of America, and it is still the greatest nation in the world!! I just fear the mental stability of parents and their children as these cases become what feels like a ‘norm,’ we need to fight for our defenseless very young children, all of our children regardless of their ages.  

We don’t have a lot of control over what our children discuss at schools, church, or the local park with other children.  In that sense, we must be prepared to combat the evoking of negative feelings in our children, but it is always wise to allow the child(ren) to ask you questions, versus ‘exposing’ the children to topics that may be too broad to discuss.  More than anything, it is important for families to prepare to appeal to the ‘good’ in human beings:  carrying a message of calmness, stability, and reassurance.  When young children are allowed to have these three emotions and situations, as a foundation for their emotions, they tend to have more resilience.  

Our children are more exposed to these situations today, and not helping them to work through these issues is not only damaging their inner selves, but completely destroys their ability to work through small situations as well as build resilience that could help them survive really horrific situations throughout their lives.  

Thank you Jane for sharing! 

Children thrive in many types of environments, but environments such as those listed below allow educators to help children thrive and double, triple, and quadruple their learning experiences. 

Stop Using Jesus Name to Disrespect Young Children

Stop Using ‘Jesus’ Name to Disrespect Young Children

Many years ago, I began working with young children and their families in a church child care/preschool program.  Although the board of directors for the program licensed through the Division of Child Development, it was one of a very few select schools that voluntarily participated in the voluntary rated license project.  The other option would have been to apply for religious license, that exempts the program from many health, safety, and other violations that could be detrimental to young children.  

In the state of Alabama, several investigations have been launched regarding the usage of ‘church’ entitlement, which has made it legal for church child care programs and preschools use strategies that are everything other than professional!  These so called church preschools often follow the highest teacher to student ratio across varying ages, some apply physical discipline in the form of spanking, humiliation practices, and so many other negative portrayals of caring for young children.  

Our right to religion is absolutely the greatest freedom that we have as Americans.  It is the only one by which, we have the ability to mentally free ourselves through our spirituality and belief in our faith.  However, it is important for our lawmakers to know that young children should be protected from even those that call upon the name of ‘religion, or the Lord,’ disputing current educational trends and exposure to a variety of situations in order for them to be successful in their first few years of elementary school.  

One provider in Alabama opened many facilities, and as she opened them and they were forced closed by the Department of Health and Human Services.  She took liberties with the children: often spanking them, exposing them to chemicals, many were injured from fighting with other children, using knowingly recalled materials, exposure to chemicals, and a long list of many others. Due to lax child care laws for religious groups, the behaviors are not only allowed, but legal. Church child care programs do not all fit into this category, but those that exist under the name of a ‘church,’ to skate around higher quality standards should be punished and forbidden to operate child care/preschool programs.  Those forbidden need to be listed in a national list/database.  

Young children need to be able to trust that their parents and adults will not place them in harm’s way.  Too often, unlicensed programs have severely ill children, children that have suffered abuse, and so forth.  If you have considered a child care and preschool program for your child(ren), a few simple guidelines should be followed:  

1. Research through the local child care resource agency.  

2. Review the licensing history of the programs that you may be interested.  

3. Consider religious organizations and the practices of the program.  If they align with your beliefs, consider.  

4. Consider a visit to the program, ask questions about topics of particular interest to you:  discipline, outdoor time, meals, attendance policy, etc.