Flyer

Buttons & Bows Early Childcare Education Center

Open Class Room/Center

1544 Woods Circle Norman Oklahoma 73069

405/329/4588

April 10, 2012 6pm – 7pm

Our teachers and staff would like to invite you to tour the center.

Your child’s teacher will show you and explain to you your child’s classroom layout, curriculum and other supplies.

Preparing For a Family Teacher Conference

Blog # 12 pg 138

The child has made progress in the following areas.  I would have four to five examples of the child’s work examples. I would include examples that show both areas where the child is strong and areas where the child is challenged more with the work. I would also have the age milestone checklist available to show the progression comparisons.

The activity that the child enjoys the most is reading time. Your son says he looks and feels like his father and grandpa when he sits and reads. I would then give the parent a picture of their child reading.

The child is most excited and attentive when we are working on reading activities. He has said on more than one occasion that he cannot wait until he can read what his father reads. Your son is attentive when another child’s grandpa comes and reads a story to the class. I have heard and seen your son say quite and place his finger to his lips to indicate is quite.  Your son has said grandpas can’t talk at the same time as their little buckaroo is talking.

The best form of redirection for your son is verbal. Your son desires to please elders and shows respect towards his teachers and other staff members. Your son always says please and thank you to the teachers and staff.

One objective the family could work on at home with this child is less frustration towards the other children. Your son becomes frustrated when the other children do not comprehend a new task as quickly as your son does. We obtained some new blocks that require a slipping interlock type of stacking. When your son is playing with these blocks with some of the other children he will start saying repeatedly to the other child, I can help you, and I can help you. 

How to reach parents who are visual learners

Progress reports are a way to communicate with parents who are visual learners. There are different types of progress reports that centers can implement. Progress reports of a child should be made available to the parents a couple of months after the child has been observed by their primary early child care educator. The next time a progress report should be developed about a child is towards the end of the child’s time in that classroom. Both of these progress report s should be followed by parent teacher conferences without interruption.  Memos should be handed out to parents about the parent teacher conferences. A bright colored calendar could be placed in the room for parent teacher conference sign up. These visual cues assist parents in scheduling and remembering their parent teacher conference due date. If a child has not been assessed enough to accurately evaluate a particular skill or activity then you should not evaluate the child and explain why the particular skill or activity was not evaluated. Parents who are visual learners will appreciate a written evaluation that they can use to assess their child’s development by a early childcare educator in comparison with their own evaluations of their child. During the conferences examples of the child’s development by work examples and valid early child education resources gives the parent a visual image to understand their child’s development.  This is reassuring to a parent but more importantly may visually show a parent where development may be behind and additional intervention may need to be implemented.  

Health Alert

HEALTH ALERT – FIFTH DISEASE

Your child may have been exposed to Fifth Disease.  Fifth disease is a common childhood viral illness. It may start with a fever and bright red rash on the cheeks looking like “slapped cheeks.” Several days later a blotchy, lacey-like rash spreads to the extremities. Once this rash appears the child is no longer contagious and may return to the program. This is normally a mild, self limiting illness for children.  Both the center and parents have to be diligent with teaching the children to use tissues and practice frequent hand washing to prevent the spread of Fifth Disease.

  Pregnant women should be aware of the risks involved with this disease. If you a pregnant and your child have been exposed to Fifth Disease contact your physician for information and follow up care.

Most adults were exposed in childhood and are immune. In adults, the disease usually presents with fever, swollen glands and arthritis especially of the wrists, knees and hands, and not necessarily with a rash. It is spread the same way colds are, by coughing, sneezing, saliva, and mucus.

Generally, no treatment is needed except comfort measures. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be given for fever or joint pain. Do not give aspirin or products containing aspirin (salicylates, acetylsalicylate) to children with a fever or viral illness. This may increase their risk for Reye’s syndrome. 

If you have questions, please contact the director or your healthcare provider.

HEALTH ALERT – FIFTH DISEASE

Your child may have been exposed to Fifth Disease.  Fifth disease is a common childhood viral illness. It may start with a fever and bright red rash on the cheeks looking like “slapped cheeks.” Several days later a blotchy, lacey-like rash spreads to the extremities. Once this rash appears the child is no longer contagious and may return to the program. This is normally a mild, self limiting illness for children.  Both the center and parents have to be diligent with teaching the children to use tissues and practice frequent hand washing to prevent the spread of Fifth Disease.

  Pregnant women should be aware of the risks involved with this disease. If you a pregnant and your child have been exposed to Fifth Disease contact your physician for information and follow up care.

Most adults were exposed in childhood and are immune. In adults, the disease usually presents with fever, swollen glands and arthritis especially of the wrists, knees and hands, and not necessarily with a rash. It is spread the same way colds are, by coughing, sneezing, saliva, and mucus.

Generally, no treatment is needed except comfort measures. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be given for fever or joint pain. Do not give aspirin or products containing aspirin (salicylates, acetylsalicylate) to children with a fever or viral illness. This may increase their risk for Reye’s syndrome. 

If you have questions, please contact the director or your healthcare provider.

Policy

Tara Williss

03/11/2012

Suspected Child Abuse

·         Oklahoma Law will be implemented and is located in the Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers page 83 Supplement II and is attached to this policy.

·         Supplement II outlines physical abuse, mental injury, sexual abuse, neglect and threatened harm.

·         Oklahoma statutes define child abuse as harm or threatened harm to a child’s health or welfare by a person responsible for the child. This includes non – accidental physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or neglect (10 O.S Section 7102).

·         Any suspected child abuse is to be reported to the child abuse hotline at 1-800-522-3511. This is a confidential 24 hour a day number.

·         You are not required by law but should give reasonable consideration to report any suspected child abuse to administration in a confidential meeting as timely as possible once a suspicion of child abuse is identified. No other discussions of suspected child abuse are allowed to be discussed outside of confidential meetings with administration.

WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?

What is the law?

Oklahoma statutes define child abuse as harm or threatened harm to a child’s health,

safety or welfare by a person responsible for the child. This includes non-accidental

physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, or neglect (Title 10, Section 7102).

·         Physical abuse is non-accidental physical injury to a child.

·         Mental Injury is an injury to a child’s psychological growth and development. It is caused by chronic pattern of behaviors, such as belittling, humiliating and ridiculing a child.

·         Sexual abuse, in general terms, includes any sexual activity between an adult and a child for the purpose of sexually stimulating the adult, the child, or others. Sexual abuse may also be committed by a person under the age of 18 when that person is either significantly older than the victim or is in a position of power or control over the child.

·         Neglect is the failure of a parent or caretaker to provide a child with basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care, protection and supervision.

·         Threatened harm means a substantial risk of harm to the child. It may include acts or expressions of intent to inflict actual harm presently or in the future.

Who must report?

Every person, private citizen or professional, who has reason to believe that a child has

been abused, is mandated by law to promptly report suspected abuse. Failure to do so is a misdemeanor. A person making a report, in good faith, is immune from civil or criminal liability. The name of the reporter is kept confidential.

When to report?

A report should be made when there is a reasonable cause to believe that a child has

been abused or neglected or is in danger of being abused. A report of suspected abuse is a request for an investigation. Investigation of child abuse reports is the responsibility of Child Welfare workers and, when a crime may have been committed, law enforcement officials.

If other incidents of abuse occur after the initial report has been made, another report should be made.

April New Letter

THE OCEAN IN APRIL

TEACHERS

Research and bring to the monthly planning meeting any ocean ideas or activities including the supply list to our monthly planning meeting on 03/14/2012.

Prepare ideas and your room décor for the OCEAN IN APRIL THEME. Please utilize the storage closet supplies before creating your supply list.

ACTIVITIES FOR THE OCEAN IN APRIL

Fact: Our world is covered by more ocean water than by land, yet only a small portion of that water is available for use. Enlarge and reproduce a world map. Write the name of each ocean in the correct spot on the map and help children say each ocean name. Show the children how much of the world is covered by the ocean. Each classroom will receive a nice globe on a stand as a classroom gift for the month.

SO SALTY!
Read to children I Wonder Why the Sea is Salty: and other questions about the oceans. Read other ocean books that you have researched.

WHY DOES THE SALT EGG FLOAT? With the children perform this experiment. Fill two jars with water and add 3 to 4 tablespoons of kosher salt to one jar. Label the jar "Salt Water." Place a hard-boiled egg into each jar and compare what happens. Continue adding salt to the salt water until the egg floats in the middle of the jar. (Adding salt to the water makes the water denser than the egg, which allows the water to hold up the egg.)

SEEING SEA STARS
Provide each child an opportunity to use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut a star from a slice of whole wheat bread. Help children spread their stars with all fruit spread, students can enjoy a tasty sea star snack!
Draw a sea star shape onto a sheet of blue paper, one for each child. Instruct children to apply glue onto the inside of the sea star shape. Then let them sprinkle dry oatmeal onto the glue. When the glue dries, shake off excess oatmeal and invite children to draw seaweed and little fish on their blue oceans.

STUDYING SAND
Fill a large plastic jar with small rocks, shells, sand, and water. Tightly screw on the jar's lid. Encourage children to shake the jar as you explain that sand is formed over many years as rocks grind against each other and against shells.

WHAT MAKES WAVES?
Explain simply that wind blowing across the water is what makes waves occur. Demonstrate this by filling a shallow pan with 2-3 inches of water. Next place a table fan about 1 foot from the narrowest side of the pan. Let the fan blow at a low speed and let children predict what will happen. Ask: Were there waves? Did the water bunch up at the far end of the pan? Try speeding up the fan. Discuss the connection between wind and waves.

UNDER THE SEA
Provide picture books about the ocean world and the animals that live there. Invite each child to research the books to find his/her favorite ocean animal. Encourage each child to think about why he/she chose the animal. Next, invite children to draw pictures of their chosen animals and help them cut out the animals. Each child can then hold up his/her animal, tell its name, and why he/she chose it. Finally, hang pictures against a backdrop of green and blue crepe paper to complete your classroom underwater scene.

GLOBAL TOSS

Toss the blow up globe to the children sitting in a circle, whoever catches the globe gets to move to the center and re toss the globe. When the children catch the globes have them look where their hands are. Keep track of how many times they land in the ocean or on land.

OCEANS AND POLLUTION

Fill a wading pool with sand and have a trash can sitting beside the pool. Bury paper fish, plants, and other ocean animals that the children have created prior to this activity. Also bury trash, spice it up a little with an old shoe or other unique item that the kids would think is funny.  Have the children sit around the pool and trash can. The children will take turns digging out trash and ocean life from the sand. Have the children throw the trash in the trash can. This will be an outside activity. We will save the wading pool and add some potting soil so that the kids can plant rose rock in the pool for the summer.   

WHAT DO WE EAT THAT COMES FROM THE OCEAN

Gather various foods such as fish, shrimp and ice cream and explain how these foods originate from the ocean or have ingredients that come from the ocean. Show raw, processed, etc.  Have a scoop of ice cream for each of the children and allow them to choose a topping of their choice for an ice cream sundae afternoon snack.

 OCEAN FLOWERS

Show the children various ocean flowers and display the flowers where the children can see them. Have the children create their own ocean flowers with finger paint mixed with white glue and display them for the children. We will provide you with a high quality card stock for the activity. Please take very good care of these flowers. We will save the flowers and place them in frames for Mother’s Day.

Teachers and support staff, thank you for all your caring and hard work. GOG BLESS

What Dressing for Success Looks Like

Dressing for success should always present a professional image towards all customers and other professionals that you will have contact or potential contact with. Clothing should be clean, in good condition and wrinkle free. The clothing worn for work should cover all body areas including the back and abdomen area as well as fit properly.  Clothing worn to work should be free of sayings, brands or sports teams.  Casual business attire should be the gauge for many non physical contact type of employment such as office positions. Other positions such as early child care educators that have physical contact and lots of movement with small children can have a dress code that deviates slightly.  The general attire should be Dockers type pants or another form of pants, skirts or dress that is modest.  Skirts or dresses should not rise much above the knee or have high cut slits. Shirts should be modest in coverage including cleavage and with sleeves. Shoes can vary based on the type of work environment and the season. Thongs should not be worn. Hair, makeup and cologne should be conservative. Personal hygiene and manners need to reflect consideration of co workers and the customers they serve.   

Confidentiality

1.       How was the confidentiality code violated with the mother?  The other school should of spoken with the mother about the transferring of his records. The school should of only transferred records that were legally required to be transferred.  The director and teacher should of not had any conversations without the mother knowing and giving consent.  

2.       How was the confidentially code violated with the mother? The mother was in a public area and overheard personal and confidential information about other children and their parents.

3.       Do you think there should have been a discussion between the two directors concerning Eric’s disability prior to his enrollment? There should have been a discussion with the directors if the mother consented.

4.       Who should have been included in the meeting? The director, mother , possibly the father and any other staff that would be involved in his primary care.

5.       Do you think a conversation with Eric’s classmates would have been helpful? A generic conversation to the children would be helpful when any need student enters a classroom.

6.       List some methods that might have eased Eric’s transition to his new school? The center policies about peanuts, toys and stuffed animals should have been explained to the mother. If the child could not have these items  then the mother could of not allowed the child to bring them in. As the teacher she should of worked with the group of children to ensure that everybody was kind to one another and welcoming to one another.

7.       How do you feel about the teacher’s conversation at the restaurant? This was clearly a violation of confidentially through her employer and early child care education standards.

8.       What if the conversation happened in the staff lounge at the center? The conversation was still of opinion and a violation of confidentially through her employer and early child care education standards.  

9.       As a director, is there anything you could do to rectify this situation?  Immediately implement effective policy that does not allow for these deviations from standards and professional morals that were violated in this situation.

10.   Do you think the mother should leave the child in that school? I think the mother should leave the child in the school if these deviations are immediately corrected. The mother in the situation should of also been more proactive to had conversations and shared what information she wanted the new center to know and any other unique information that the center needed to know about her son.

11.   11. Explain your reasons for not moving Eric again? Mistakes can happen and changing early child care providers is a huge situation for all involved including the child. As a team I think that everybody should work to redirect and make this early child care educational experience the best that it can be for this child and his family. If the negative circumstances are not taken care of immediately then the mother should consider another early child care education replacement for this child.

Staff Meeting agenda

Tara Williss

02/18/2012

Staff Meeting Agenda

 Their time together during these meeting empowers communication and time among one another. These meetings create an environment that builds and shapes their personal professional ethics as well as team work.

Post a date & time for the meeting on the staff bulletin board and have staff members sign to acknowledge that they know the date & time of the monthly staff meeting.

Staff Meeting Agenda

Theme for the center

Due dates for teachers lesson plans to include

Music & Movement

Process Art & Free Expression Art

Bulletin Boards

Puppets

Stories

Games

Manipulative

Blocks

Dramatic Play

Field Trips, Special Visitors, Orientations, Events & Celebrations

Monthly Classroom Observations & Continuing Education Courses

Kudos & General Policy Reminders

Notes

Negative Workplace Communication Ethics

Healthy communication relationships with co-workers are developed by some basic communication manners. We all have a memory or current relationship with a co-worker that thinks or has been allowed to interact with other workers via the cold shoulder treatment, not acknowledging you by your name, will not make eye contact or is always complaining. Being older and in the workforce greater than 25 years I have learned and no longer feel that their treatment is personal. Even if it is personal I no longer become nervous or intimated by their communication manners. I know that my work ethics including my communication with co-workers has not warranted their communication choices. Regardless of their style I feel that I still have every right to acknowledge them by their name, make eye contact, and not be a chronic complainer. I feel that something deeper is making a co-worker not acknowledge me by my name or not making eye contact with me. While I cannot change my co-workers choice I have the choice to treat them kindly. Time and example I feel will be the greatest assest that I can contribute to a co-workers negative communication manners. As a co-worker I feel that it is not my job to disclipine another co-worker unless I am their manager. If I am their manger then a coaching process needs to be implemented that leads to more formal disclipine. I feel that I have to pick your battles and always strive to be an employee that desires to help. A previous manager always told us, be here, be on time and do the best that you can do. I feel that if every employee showed up to work with these three goals just think how much less negative workplace communications would take place.  

The C's of Communication

Learning to deliver consistent messages to others on a professional level is like any other communication skill, practice yields improvement and feeling more comfortable when placed in these situations. Policy and facts when delivered professionally and kindly allow for consistent  messages without directly approaching, accusing or pointing fingers. The goal with consistent communication is to deliver the needed information and implementation of the information with movement forward in a positive direction for all involved.

Flexibility and fairness with staff members will always be a balancing act for directors in early child education. As a director needed schedule changes have to be reasonable. The other side of the coin is that the employees work ethic also is a strong consideration when allowing for schedule deviations, especially if other staff members will be picking up the slack or losing some of their schedule perks. Quality staff members may not always notice or acknowledge all the quality ethics and morals an employer provides, but they will remember when an employer did not treat another staff member with reasonable accommodation.
Direct confrontation should be avoided, but professionally acknowledging to another staff member that they utilized your work is acceptable. Depending on the situation and legal scope of the situation a manager may need to be informed. These gray are never comfortable but the well being of the staff and who they serve should always take precedence over any employees wrong actions.
The skills and techniques to effectively communicate are learned practices that with effective implementation build a foundation in a business that employees enjoy working for and with.

Defining the Communication Needs of your Audiences

The top audiences in early childcare education are the current & future students & their families, staff,  neighbors and vendors. Sloppy communication is fatalistic to early childcare education. Life and childcare is busy and hectic. Simple but complete communication strategies have to be developed and implemented and consistently utilized throughout the center. Revamping and changes are ongoing and have to be refreshed as well as communicated to all staff in a simple and effective organized fashion. Staff also has to have accountability for properly utilizing and implementing all effective communication techniques and changes. I also think  that the world of paper is not desired for a lot of people but at the same time others still only want paper. With this being said your effective communication needs to serve both legs of communication. As a center storing paper documentation can quickly become a nightmare. Computer documenation  management of your center is a must from the get go. Your reputation is your most strongest marketing strategy, but other effective advertising strategies have to be researched and implemented. The cost is also a huge consideration. Everyday you have to do the best that you can do and  effectively communicate with anybody who needs and should be communicated with. The only way this will happen is by hard honest work, striving to develop, grow, change when needed and consistently implement effective communication.   

Introduction

a.     Name Tara Williss

b.    Job title RN, I have been in healthcare 20 + years. No earlychild care education or employement.

c.      Why you are in child care? I desire to serve healthcare workers with quality childcare during the odd shift hours that healthcare workers work.

d.    Why education is important for you? Learning is a life long process. Striving towards learning new information is empowering and required in all areas of our lives.