[Chloe]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity?
They are incredibly thorough and leave little to the imagination.

2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs?
I was surprised to find that so many of them seem redundant upon first glance, but when reading them, provided important specifications and clarifications from the others that seemed nearly identical.

3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not?
Absolutely. They inform everything that makes up the day-to-day practice of childcare.

[Christine Taft]

1.) I discovered the importance of the WACS in ensuring that childcare centers are run properly. I also learned that the WACS are what is followed in ensuring a center is up to licensing code.

2.) I was surprised that outdoor play areas are required to have shaded areas. I was also surprised to learn that children coming after school are supposed to be offered a snack.

3.) The WACS help me to be more aware of, and in tune with, what is required and what is best for the children. They help me to keep the environment in good order, as well as help me to know how best to address safety concerns.

[Mo]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity?

I actually couldn’t find the questions for the activity that were supposedly written with each WAC unless I was looking in the wrong book. Nonetheless, I discovered that there are quite a lot of laws and requirements for all roles and locations associated with early learning programs. It’s a lot to take in, and I see why being able to successfully navigate the book quickly is important.

2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs?

I actually wasn’t surprised by any. They all seem fair, well thought out, and most of them seem to be common sense or expected. The amount of licenses/certifications needed to run a program was a little surprising, but seems necessary to maintain a safe environment for young children.

3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not?

Having all these guidelines to follow helps to reduce conflict with parents and to maintain basic standards for everyone, as well as reducing confusion as to what is to be expected from each role in an early learning program. I believe that the WACs are the foundation that give us the strength and confidence to provide a safe and positive learning environment for our children.

[Shoshana Lavetter-Keidan]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity?

I discovered how detailed and explicit these guidelines are. It was a little overwhelming, sorting through them and I’d be curious to talk to Casey about how she keeps track of them as they update.

2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs?

I was surprised to see WAC 110-300-0140: Room arrangement, child-related displays, private space, and belongings. It makes sense with all of the developmental needs being addressed with the WACs but I wouldn’t have thought about it.

3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not?

Absolutely. The center is clearly set up to follow and support the WAC guidelines in the physical arrangement, staff support, training requirements, and so much more, so I think that all of my in-classroom training will correspond with a WAC.

[goundo]

I learned that every childcare learning center must inform parents about developmental screen screening.

I was not surprised by any WACs. But a lot of the guidelines and terms were intriguing to read.

It can influence my day to day by being my guide for when i am faced with new challenges or if i have any questions and i cannot get in contact with director.

[Edith]

1. What I found was that there are lots of requirements that need to be followed in order to follow the standards of Washington State.

2. I didn’t know that physical restraint was allowed but only if a child’s safety or others around are threatened.

3. Day to day depends on what the day looks like just try to follow steps, keep everyone safe, healthy, learning in a positive environment.

[be]

WACte ayuda mucho a entender cosas que antes no sabias y tener mas conocimiento

[Kaylee Capps]

1. While completing this activity, I discovered a few rules that I was not familiar with. I did not know that the department is able to license a center in a private family residence, and I think that that is interesting.

2. I was not really surprised by many rules other than the one above. But I was a little surprised that aides are able to be aged fourteen or older; it seems young for that job, but it is understandable.

3. I can see that knowing the WACs will influence my day-to-day practice in caring for children. There are regulations that must be followed to eliminate danger, discrimination, and other factors, and rules to stay connected with students and families, which is important.

[Kate Hodnett]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? -I Learned that bottles must be prepared prior to getting to school, and can sit in the fridge during the day while they are at school. I was quite shocked to learn that, I always thought bottles cannot be used after two hours.
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? – I don’t think I was surprised by any of the WAC’s, they were all understandable in A early childcare center
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? – The WAC’s will influence my day-to-day by giving me the correct tools to better me as a teacher, to understand how to properly handle situations, and to be ready for any obstacles that may come my way.

[Astrid Duenas Diaz]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? I discovered that they are much more readibly available then I originally realized.
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? No.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? Yes, especially in terms of the follow ups and documentation that is required for us as an organization to have.

[Journey Charvat]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity?

I discovered how in-depth the WAC procedures are.

2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs?

I was surprised that we are to have pets in early learning.

3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not?

I can see that the WAC will influence my day-to-day practice in caring for children because there is in-depth procedures with almost everything that will need to do in the daily activity at early learning.

[Sara]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity?

I have some experience working within elementary classrooms and, in turn, I was familiar with or had some a basic understanding of the WACs prior to completing this activity. However, I had no idea how many WACs there truly are or the number of topics covered by WACs. There was a lot of new and extensive information to take in.

2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs?

I wouldn’t say that I was surprised by any WAC over another, but I was surprised by the number of WACs, the variety of topics covered by WACs, and the extensive detail included within each.

3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not?

I can absolutely see and appreciate the standard of high-quality care and education that is set by and upheld through compliance with WACs on a daily basis. Each day, I will uphold the safety standards, view signage, and maintain records as described by WACs to provide professional, safe, and equitable services to children and their families.

[Michael Gomez]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? The strict safe conditions for licensed professionals is more detailed than I realized and it makes me happy there is so much care put into the safety of Washington’s children.
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? Wonderful to know that Washington makes an effort to give support to all children to give them equal opportunities.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? The focus on making sure children have equal opportunities by safe and licensed professionals gives this children a chance to grow independent, strong, and healthier than those who would just be taught by anyone with basic knowledge.

[Margaret]

1. There are many in-depth and detailed regulations and polices we are expected to learn, know, and follow.

2. Not really, but I appreciated and likes all the detailed definitions of words used.

3. Yes, it gave me a better insight on what is required and also safe while teaching young kids and being in the classroom.

[Lynn]

I discovered how important the WAC’s are to any home and center programs to run effectively and professionally. The state requirements must be met to ensure the safety, the health, and well-being and the education of the children involved.

Also, it empowers the staff of all levels, to be prepared to meet the needs of the children in their care.

No, I was not surprised by any of the WAC’s. The value of the WAC’s can not be stressed enough.

Yes, the WAC,s will and do influence my day-to-day practice in caring for the children. Their emotional, social, and physical development is just as important as their learning development.