[Mildred]

1. Aprendi y me gusto que hay muchos puntos a tener en cuenta al momento de llevar a cabo nuestra labor en el cuidado de los niños, son muchísimas mas de las que pensé pero son en su mayoría completamente necesarias conocerlas y aprenderlas.

2. No me sorprendi particularmente de ninguno, sin embargo sin embargo la 110-300-0255 respecto a las mascotas me gusto bastante, ya que yo no sabia que también habían regulaciones al respecto.

3. Puedo ver los WAC’s en toda mi labor desempeñada a lo largo del día, realmente nos ayuda a mantener un ambiente seguro para los niños y también para nosotras como maestras.

[Anjeliese]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity?
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? One that definitely surprised me was apart of WAC <b style=”background-color: var(–bb-content-background-color); font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; color: var(–bb-body-text-color);”>110-300-0106… “Early learning providers who directly care for children must complete the prevention of exposure to blood and body fluids training that meets Washington state department of labor and industries’ requirements.” I was not aware that I would need to take a courses on this/get certified. When I saw this I initially wondered how it would be important in day to day work but I was surprised to learn so much and learn how important it is to take the proper precautions around blood and bodily fluids. It also debunked some myths and assumptions.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? I definitely can. The trainings and certifications we are required to do/take specifically stick out because I can see them being in the back of my mind in most of the decisions I make. Rather than operating on my own whim, I have clear procedures and protocol to ensure the safety of the children as well as my own. It also helps me understand how to guide several situations.

[Anjeliese]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? I discovered a lot of the requirements of those working in early learning centers. I was also surprised to learn that we are allowed to have animals in the center with proper paperwork/guidelines 🙂
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? One that definitely surprised me was apart of WAC 110-300-0106… “Early learning providers who directly care for children must complete the prevention of exposure to blood and body fluids training that meets Washington state department of labor and industries’ requirements.” I was not aware that I would need to take a courses on this/get certified. When I saw this I initially wondered how it would be important in day to day work but I was surprised to learn so much and learn how important it is to take the proper precautions around blood and bodily fluids. It also debunked some myths and assumptions.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? I definitely can. The trainings and certifications we are required to do/take specifically stick out because I can see them being in the back of my mind in most of the decisions I make. Rather than operating on my own whim, I have clear procedures and protocol to ensure the safety of the children as well as my own. It also helps me understand how to guide several situations.

[HQ]

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

I discovered WACs is important for professionas in early learning.WACs define regulatory standards, licensing regulations, and guidelines intended to protect the well-being and safety of children in care.

Were you surprised by any of the WACs?

I found it surprising that there is a wealth of information and knowledge outlined in the WACs.

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

Yes, I can. Because it contributes to the keeping of high-quality early learning experiences while also ensuring that programs adhere to state standards.

[Ashley Socia]

I learned that the policies we have in place are based off of the WAC requirements. I was not shocked by any of the WAC requirements as I have been in the preschool environment for a wile now. I feel like WAC has helped me tremendously in the classroom as well as working management portion of the job.

[Andrew Baker]

-What did you discover about the WAC’s while completing the activity?

There is a clear definition of what’s required to be an ECE in Washington that encompasses more than just the idea of scholastics but helping the whole child.

-Were you surprised by any of the WACs? WAC 110-300-0335 (1)

There’s an expectation of thorough monitoring the children for their benefit that is, again, encompassing of the whole child and their welfare. Reiterates parts of the training in CPS.

Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in
caring for children? Why or why not? What did you discover about the
WACs while completing the activity?

-To be aligned and well observed to the child, it’s important to be aware of the whole child and take all factors into that observation.

[Shai-Ann]

Question 1: There are a lot of requirements that need to be followed to be compliant with the standards for Washington State.

Question 2: I was not surprised by any of the WACS

Question 3: There are steps in place for you to follow and stay by to keep everyone safe, healthy, and learning in a positive environment.

[Madison]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? I found the WACs to be user friendly. I like being able to use the “ctrl f” function. I also like that the titles identify what the specific WAC is about.
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? No, the amount of detail does surprise me.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? Yes. The WACs affect every aspect of caring for children. I like the detail and that it ensures that the children will be well cared for.

[Danielle]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity?
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs?
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not?

1. They lay out pretty clearly and understandably not only what is expected, but also in so doing, how to progress in this career field.

2. Not really only because when it comes to the care of children, especially children under 12, who are far from independent, details can be super important.

3. Absolutely, first of all, the WACs require a certain amount of education which already changes the ways we interact with the classroom. Requiring certain trainings and additional continued education ensures that the way things are being done will always be up-to-date. Many other things such as viewing the parents as primary teachers will influence the day-to-day in the class.

[Kinsey]

1.) I did not realize how many requirements there are for a facility to be licensed in Washington! I was surprised with the sheer number of them, and how in depth they are. I do find the format of WACs a bit inaccessible. It’s all important information, but its difficult to navigate and comprehend in such a text heavy/wordy format.

2.) I feel most information provided in the WAC’s is common knowledge or logical to someone who has worked with children or in an early childhood education setting before. I was pleasantly surprised to find, while doing activity B-2, that there was a WAC pertaining to Room arrangement, child-related displays, private space, and belongings. It makes me happy that seemingly small things like that are covered. It’s very thorough.

3.) I can see how the WACs can help me, and others, to be more conscious and thoughtful of how we manage our kids and how our workplace is run. I feel having an outline for procedures can make it easier to make decisions in the best interest of the kids in our care.

[Jordie]

The things I discovered while reading the WACs was that there are a lot of laws and details to remember. I’m glad that it is something I can refer back to. I feel like some of these are commonsense but sadden to know that somethings must have to happen in order to create a law to protect the children. Which leads me to law WACs 110-300-0335 physical restraint. When it states “No person may use bonds, ties, blankets, straps, car seats, high chairs, activity saucers, or heavy
weights (including an adult sitting on a child) to physically restrain children.” This surprises me why would anyone choose to work with children and then do this to them. I can see why the laws are there to protect the children. I would make sure to follow the WACs in my day-to-day practices in order the safety of the children and the daycare.

[ValRhee]

1. I discovered that there is a lot more that goes into becoming a licensed provider than I thought, but they are all understandable requirements given the job.

2. I was not particularly surprised by any of the WAC’s but I did find WAC 110-300- 0005 very interesting because I did not realize that there were so many definitions that childcare providers were required to learn.

3. I can very clearly see how the WAC’s influence my day-to-day practice as a childcare provider. A lot of the WAC’s were somewhat common sense and or things that have been learned from other experiences whether that be school, another job, etc. Other WAC”s were not common sense but were entirely understandable requirements for someone in childcare. Many WAC’s are practices that are used daily within a childcare setting and staff may be entirely unaware they are using them.

[Tetiana Nix]

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

I like how you can find all the needed information pretty easily and how you can differentiate for better searches in categories and subcategories. There is a lot to learn.

Were you surprised by any of the WACs?

I learned something new about the kids with special needs, that a child with documented special needs may be in care up to age 19 and must be counted in both capacity and staff-to-child ratio.

Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children?

It is a great instrument to help me grow in my teaching practice, and it is for sure going to influence my day-to-day life because there is a lot to learn.

[Madeline]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? There’s a lot of WACs that you have to learn about, more than you think!
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs?110-300-0020 I’d think there’d be more consequences for providing unlicensed child care.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? If I can memorize & read the wacs daily then maybe I can provide information for others

[habiba Mugaza]

As a childcare provider, my exploration of the Washington Administrative Code (WACs) related to early learning has been quite enlightening. Here are my reflections:

1. Discoveries about the WACs: While reviewing the WACs, I discovered that they are quite comprehensive, covering all aspects crucial to providing quality early childhood education and care. This includes specific guidelines on staff qualifications, child-to-staff ratios, health and safety protocols, facility requirements, and curriculum standards. The detail in these regulations ensures that every aspect of a child’s care and education is considered and catered to, which is paramount for their well-being and development.

2. Surprises in the WACs: I was indeed surprised by the level of specificity in some of the WACs. For example, the precise requirements for outdoor play spaces and the detailed background check processes for staff were more extensive than I initially anticipated. These regulations demonstrate a strong commitment to child safety and the importance of a well-rounded educational environment.

3. Influence of WACs on Day-to-Day Practice: The WACs definitely influence my day-to-day practice in several ways:

   • Health and Safety: The safety and health regulations ensure that I am always vigilant about maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment for the children.
   • Educational and Developmental Impact: The guidelines on curriculum and child development help me plan and implement educational activities that are age-appropriate and beneficial for the children’s overall growth.
   • Operational Aspects: Adhering to operational guidelines, like maintaining proper child-to-staff ratios and following proper enrollment procedures, is crucial for the smooth running of the facility.
   • Professional Conduct and Development: The WACs also guide my professional conduct and emphasize the importance of ongoing professional development to enhance my skills and knowledge in early childhood education.

Overall, the WACs play a vital role in shaping a high-quality, safe, and nurturing environment for children in my care. Understanding and adhering to these regulations is not just about compliance; it’s fundamentally about providing the best possible care and educational experience for the children. It’s clear that these standards are in place to ensure that the children’s needs are met in a comprehensive and thoughtful manner.