I hope you will join us tomorrow NIGHT (Tuesday, 11-18-08) for the first of our monthly chats.  This chat will supplememt the Mentoring for New Providers group.  Although this is a chat for "new" providers, you don't have to be new to join us.  We need "seasoned" providers to be able to answer questions and give suggestions (soemtimes we have questions, too!)  Topics will be based upon the questions that are asked.  Everyone is welcome, home based as well as center based providers!  Hope to see you then!  See the events page for more info!

Thanks,

Joyce

Note:  The time was originally set for AM, but it should have been PM.  This event is an hour later than our normal Monday night chat in order to accomodate those on the West coast.  It will be from 10 pm to 11pm EST.

Here's a great way to teach your preschoolers how to write their numbers:  USE RHYMES! 

My daughter's kindergarten teacher does something similar (different words) and the kids really seem to respond well.

0  Around, around, around you go...That's the way to make ZERO!

l Straight down and then you're done...That's the way we make a ONE!

2  Around and back on the railroad track...Two!  Two!  TWO!

3  Around the tree, around the tree....That's the way you make a THREE!

4  Down and over and down some more...THat's the way to make a FOUR!

5  Put on a hat, Then take a dive...Make a big round tummy, Now, that's a FIVE!

6  Make a loop and then a hoop!...SIX!

7  Across the sky and down from Heaven...That's the way to make a SEVEN!

8  Make an "s" but do not wait, go back up and close the gate!

9  Make a hoop then a line.  That's the way to make a NINE!

(Copied from hubbardscupboard.com)

Here is a checklist you can share with parents.  Based on Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, you can quickly find your child's best learning style.  Click here to start the survey.

Thought I'd share this page I ran across while trying to find something else on Google.

There is a sweepstakes by Glade for $4000 toward daycare expenses.

Their daycare can also receive $1000 toward art supplies (that's a lot of crayons and paint...lol!).

Click here to read up on it!

I ran across this very interesting article.  It kind of makes you sit and think about something that's seemingly harmless...worksheets and coloring pages/coloring books.  While most of us would probably argue that our kids LOVE to color in coloring books or coloring sheets, there are very good arguments against such a practice.  Read over it and post your thoughts:  No More Worksheets!

If you are able to connect to the internet for your kids,

I'd recommend 2 sites: 

starfall.com

 and

literacycenter.net/play_learn/index.htm

Check them out and see if they're for you!

BOOKS…Wonderful Books…they take you places you’d never imagine!

What are your favorite books and how do you extend them into your daycare?

       The Straight Line Wonder by Mem Fox is a great book about being yourself, no matter what others think.

CCVillage says that her kids used to like that book as much as she did. 

       Another favorite of hers is Little Gorilla. 

A favorite of the kids in my daycare (and me, too) is Chicka, Chicka, Boom Boom!  We do SO many activities with it.  We had it for a weekly theme and it stuck.  The kids are obsessed with it now.  We have clank cans, magnet boards, puzzles, etc.

Another favorite of mine is Brown Bear, Brown Bear.  I like to extend it to almost everything we do…number one, number one, what do you see?  I see a two looking at me.    

Pinkalicious seems to be a new hit with my kids, especially the girls…The little girl eats too many pink cupcakes and turns pink.  Very cute!

The true story of the three little pigs is great for the older ones, especially.  It is told from the wolf’s perspective.

If you want to introduce a little Spanish or southwestern flair, you could read The Three Little Javelinas or Los Tres Pequenos Jabalies by Susan Lowell.  It is in English and Spanish. 

Family Values loves Dinosaurs Galore!  There are SO many activities you could extend with about dinosaurs! 

A wonderful addition to your daycare is a listening station…I keep mine up all the time and switch the book out daily.  These are books w/ cds.  I use a boom box and headphones.  You could also use a portable cd player.  There is typically someone in my listening station all the time.  As with anything else, you have to set rules for how to handle things while there.  My kids have to ask me to start it for them. 

To see a picture of my station, click here.

Another great source for books is Scholastic.  Check out their site.  It’s a great way to earn books for your center.  FREE!  (my favorite word).  They also have GREAT deals on library packs for about 1/3 the price you’d normally pay.  My parents have really started loving the scholastic orders.  You can also earn other items with your bonus points, not just books. 

VWilkins has book bags that her parents can check out and take home to read w/ their child.  In it  she includes a book and a related project like a coloring sheet, counting activity, etc.  Her parents really like them.  It teaches the kids a little responsibility at the same time.  She keeps track of who-has-what on library cards.  Smart, huh?

Get with your local resource and referral agency and ask if there are resources for childcare providers.  Most have a lending library for books, provider training books, toys, etc. 

It was a really good chat last night.  If you missed us, you have another chance next Monday.  9 PM eastern time.

Stay tuned for the next topic. 

Please, feel free to leave comments to add to what we have here.

Thanks, Joyce 

PS..sorry, I tried to include a picture of each book, but couldn't get them to come up on the blog.

Ok, Here's one that I haven't seen answered yet:  how do you keep children flowing through your centers??

I explain the rules for each center, and usually just direct them to the center I want them to be in at the time.

But, I am continually having to escort one or another back to another center until it's their turn or until there aren't so many kids in that particular one.  Also, I want to teach them to make more independent choices and to be able to move from one center to another without all of the

DRAMA!!!

How do you best set limits for centers?

How many kids can be in each at one time?

Are they allowed only a certain amount of time?

HELP!

As much as we would like to provide the opportunity for a pet in our daycare (or, for those of us with small children, even our home), we need to be sure to take certain precautions.  Obviously, we wouldn't want to take the chance that a pet would cause harm to one of the children we care for.  So, we cross vicious dogs off the list, we don't do poisionus spiders, etc.  We make sure we keep our pets vaccinations up to date.  We take precautions to teach the kids how to handle and care for the pets.  We have them wash their hands and keep a close eye that their hands don't go in their mouth or eyes while they have "pet germs" on their hands.  Have you ever considered the pets that some think are cute and  "harmless"?  Check out the article from the Associated Press and make your own judgement:  http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081006/ap_on_he_me/med_exotic_pets

Sometimes I think I am the queen of disorganization!

 SO, I need HELP!

I do just fine with finding ideas and developing and implementing my curriculum.  My toys are in order.  My daycare files are in order.  What I am clueless about is the paper activities and curriculum ideas, songs etc that I want to save for later.  Do any of you save the curriculum from year to year?  How do you do it?  Do you organize by theme?  Do you save everything by category (songs, games,small motor skills, etc)?   Do you not save it at all?

I have heard of using a card file (like recipies) but for the life of me, I can't figure out how to set it up..........

I try to save templates that I download on disc to eliminate the paper, but not everything comes that way.  I would like to do away with my boxes of papers and stashes here and there if I possibly can. 

HELP ME...I'm LOST!

When your child comes home messy...

Red paint in the hair?  Blue paint on the jeans?

Sand in the shoes? Peanut butter on the favorite shirt?

White socks that look brown?  Sleeves a little bit damp?

Your child probably...

Worked with a friend

Solved a problem

Created a masterpiece

Negotiated a difference

Learned a new skill

Had a great time

Developed new language skills

Your child probably didn't ......

Feel lonely

Become bored

Do repetitive tasks that are too babyish

Do worksheet tasks that are too easy

Do sit down work that is discouraging

You probabaly...

Paid good money for these clothes

Will have trouble getting the red paint out

Are concerned that the caregiveer isn't paying enough attention to your child

The caregiver probably.....

Was aware of your child's needs and interests

Spent time planning a challenging activity for the children

Encouraged the children to try new things

Put smocks on the children

Was worried that you might be concerned

Try to remember your favorite activity when your were four years old.  Was it outdoor play with water, mud and dress up clothes, with friends?  Young children really learn when they are actively involved in play, not when someone is talking to them.

There is a difference between "messy" and "lack of care"

The caregiver made sure your child was fed, warm, took a nap, washed hands after toilieting adn before eating, and also planned messy fun things to do because that is how young children learn. 

Send your child in clothes that can get dirty!  Keep extra old clothes at the play site for times when the child gets wet or really messy.  If you need to take the child out, bring the dress-up clothes and allow time to change.  Keep calm.  Remember, in a few years, teenageres will use your shampoo, mirrors, and won't allow for most of your towels to be clean.  But young children need time to be kids.

If you have concerns, talk to your caregiver about active play. 

note:  I have this poem in my scrapbook (portfolio) that potential new clients look at when they come for their interview.  I have pictures of all kinds of activities along with descriptions of what they're learning during the activities.  My parents also get a copy along w/ their handbooks.

Does anyone host an open house type event for their daycare?  I have been thinking of doing a "parent night" event but have not a clue of what to do or where to start.  I think that a weekend barbque or family picnic would work best for our crowd.  Thanks for your input!  --Joyce

A newsletter is one of the best ways to communicate with your parents.  It lets them know that you are a professional and ensures that everyone knows what is happening.  Parents don't always have time to check a bulletin board or notebook to see highlights of program happenings.  I use a simple newsletter in my program.  I use a template and fill everything out, print and pass a copy to each parent when they drop off their child.  That way, they take it to work and read it.  If you give it to them at the end of the day, they are tired and sometimes don't want to bother. 

I choose to keep mine simple and only list reminders, birthdays and other celebrations, upcoming events as well as what we learned and what's to come.  I always try to include something that the parent can do w/ their child, either a recipie, song, poem, game, website or place to go.

Templates can be found lots of places...forgive me, Ruth, but I am not sure if ccvillage.com has one or not...if not, might be something ya'll can add.  I am currently using the one from The Mailbox Companion.  I like this one because, quite honestly, I don't have to think.  They give you a form a month (different theme) and let you choose to use their pre-programmed headings or no headings.  I fill in and print.  I have used photo copy and fill in ones from teacher lesson plan books.  Those are (I think) a bit of a pain.  I like things that are easy for me. 

Almost any of your publishing programs have newsletter templates.  Microsoft office used to have one. I think it was Microsoft ME.  I have XP  now and can't find it, so they may have changed it. 

There seems to be alot of interest in this topic.  We're here to help each other.  I will be glad to send you a copy of mine if you will give me an email address.  If you do a newsletter, please tell us what you do and how you do it. 

Joyce

One of the biggest gripes I have heard from those of us who do home-based care is that we are tired of getting called a "babysitter!"  We are professional child care providers! 

Interesting................

I thought this deserved more thought.  Here are some questions that we should ask ourselves:

• Do I have in place written contract and policies?  If the answer is no, then get them!  That is the only way you can protect yourself.  How else are you going to run your business instead of the parents--or the kids?
• Do I have written consequences for when a policy is violated?  There should be consequences for violations...ex, you pay on Xday or there will be late payment fees imposed.
• Do I enforce those consequences or do I just say, "oh, that's ok?"  Look at it this way, your utility company, mortgage company and car company don't tell you, "oh, that's ok."  You pay or they cut you off.  They are professionals, right?
• Do I present myself to clients in a professional manner every day?  No matter what you do during the day, your parents' opinions will be based on your professional appearance.  Do you roll out of bed and answer the door?  Or do you take the time to get up, get dressed, comb your hair and maybe even apply a bit of makeup as if you're leaving the house?  When I was just starting out on my provider adventure, I went to a training and the presenter said that we should do what ever it takes to get ourselves up  to par on having a professional appearance.  That meant, if we had to go out and sit in the car for a few minutes, so be it.  I've never gone that far, but that thought has stuck in my mind ever since.  Do I get dressed up in a business suit?  Hardly!  Am I casually dressed and comfortable?  Absolutely!  We can be casual and still present a professional image.
• Do I communicate like a professional?   Have written communication about changes, policies, etc. whenever possible.  Use good verbal communication every time you see the parent.  Some providers have set up a parent communication center (either a table, notebook, bulletin board).  A lot of us send out newsletters.  Have you sent home any info for the parent like development stage charts, activities to do with the kids, or events in the area that are family friendly?  Your parents are much more likely to acknowledge you as a professional if they learn something new from you!

Let me know what YOU think...do you agree or disagree?  What do you think is a good way to shatter that baby sitter image???