[Nicole Stein]

The WACS include a lot of common sense, but clearly delineate a lot of things that I might be doing but had not thought explicitly about. Much of what I do is from experience and learning from experienced educators. I can see that the WACs would be very helpful to new educators and new programs to ensure that all kids are receiving the same thoughtful level of care. I was not surprised by many of them but the piece about screentime was a bit shocking to me. Makes sense if you have a mixed age group where some kids are needing screens for homework. I certainly hope those above 24 months and below homework age are not getting even close to the maximum amount of screen time allowed.

[Bethany Calamia]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? There are a lot of WACs. They are cover pretty much all the aspects of childcare in detail.
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? Anyone who comes in to do share with the children or accompanies on a field trip or helps with a party needs to have completed a background check and have a negative TB test.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? Yes, following the WACs helps childcare facilities and their employees function smoothly and removes ambiguity for what the procedures and rules are.

[Christina]

1) Sometimes they are hard to navigate, and a lot to understand.

2) Not really too surprised at the WAC’s as Washington has a lot of rules and hoops one needs to follow/ jump through to get anything going in this state.

3) Yes I can on a few different levels, and because you are dealing with children at so many different ages and the different parenting styles, learning speeds etc…I can see where they benefit you in your daily activities

[Darien]

1) I can see why the childcare market is so broken in this country. While the regulations are exhaustive and well-intentioned, taken together they create expensive barriers to access an essential service. Even in spaces of the economy where childcare “works”, it remains parents’ single greatest household expense while care workers make close to the functional minimum wage. It also makes sense why the childcare market is teetering toward monopoly, favoring orgs like Bright Horizons who can make money on slim margins by operating at scale and making detailed code compliance a centralized competency. Seems like if we want to regulate a market to this extent, it’s not really a market anymore and we need to subsidize it. Otherwise it’s just a recipe for accelerated economic stratification.

2) Not really.

3) The notes on physical restraint are extremely relevant, both for guiding my own actions and checking in on the actions of peers. Being able to point to a WAC to help someone understand why something they view as a normal and acceptable child-rearing practice helps take the discomfort out of the interaction.

[Mackenzie]

I discovered there is a lot of information to be retained from the WAC’s all of which seems to be very common knowledge yet I was surprised by the restraint one. As an older sibling I usually will pick them up if they aren’t somewhere they are supposed to be, but reading more about it, it does make sense as to why we shouldn’t pick up the children unless necessary. Yes I do see how the WAC’s can influence your day to day practice in caring for children.

[Tiffany]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? – There are a whole lot of WACs that cover a variety of topics and situations that I didn’t originally expect to see and all of them are very in depth.
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? Not really, all of them appeared reasonable.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? – Yes, they really outline what is expected from you and also just what to expect to see in general.

[christi]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? There is an incredible amount of paperwork you need to make sure you collect and hang on to.
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? Holding onto attendence records for 5 years.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? Yes, you need to make sure you have clear systems in place to be compliant.

[Mason]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? – I felt as though the WACs were very clear and straightforward with what they were trying to convey.
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? – I was very surprised that the facilities are commonly expected to cover all materials students may need in the classroom.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? – Very much so, the WACs lay out a clear baseline for expectation when caring for and watching a child. So they will almost always be used on a day-to-day bases.

[Arevik Aprikian]

I was surprised to learn how extensive the list of requirements is. However, I was not really surprised by any of them. All of the requirements are things that I would naturally expect to be standard in childcare centers. The WACs can certainly influence my day to day life working in childcare; as I mention, many of the requirements are things that I would naturally expect, however knowing that these are required to be compliant with can help keep these things fresh in my mind at all times when needed and can also help me report something that I may witness against the standards.

[Heaven Maya]

I discovered that WAC is very important to everyone that is working in early child education. It lays down the foundation for anyone who may not know certain things. It helps everyone get on the same page. <font color=”rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)” face=”inherit”>I wasn’t </font>surprised<font color=”rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)” face=”inherit”> by any of the WACs just </font>because<font color=”rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)” face=”inherit”> I feel from working with kids that this all made sense. </font><font face=”inherit” style=”background-color: var(–bb-content-background-color); font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; color: var(–bb-body-text-color);”>I can </font>definitely<font face=”inherit” style=”background-color: var(–bb-content-background-color); font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; color: var(–bb-body-text-color);”> see how WACs will influence my day to day practicing for children. It is simple to say that is like I said before the </font>foundation<font face=”inherit” style=”background-color: var(–bb-content-background-color); font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; color: var(–bb-body-text-color);”> on how to care and education these children. </font>

[Heaven LillyAnna Daneeshia McGriff]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? I discovered new ways of cleaning that are far more effective than what I’ve been doing.
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? I was in fact surprised by a few of them while seemingly odd, I can understand it’s reasoning even though most are simply common sense.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not?<strong style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; color: var(–bb-body-text-color); background-color: var(–bb-content-background-color);”> I do definitely see how WACs can be weaved into my own life, mainly the cleaning aspect.

[Andrea]

1.) I found that WAC are more detailed and clear than I thought. They cover any circumstance with accuracy.

2.) These guidelines are very detailed, concise, clear and leave little to the imagination; They are well thought out and achievable.

3.) Understanding and knowing these guidelines will make me a better educator and teacher of young children.

[Beatriz]

I discovered how much the WACs protect children’s rights and it’s nice to see a law that supports my practice in class and a document that I can use to show parents the reasons I do what I do in my class.

[isabel]

I discovered that there are strict requirements to follow when getting into early learning, and it’s more than just going into work to watch kids for 8 hours a day.

I was surprised by WAC <b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; color: var(–bb-body-text-color);”>110-300-0335 that physical restraint can be used if a child’s safety or the safety of others is threatened.

I can see how the WAC will influence my day to day practice because it will keep me in line and keep kids safe while following the state rules.

[Stacy]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? I discovered how complete it is. All kinds of subjects are addressed.
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? I did not realize there are some centers that provide overnight care.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? The WAC clearly spells out how all activities and supervisions are to take place at a center and within a child’s experience.