[Yasmine]

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. I discovered that there is a lot more that goes into watching/ teaching children. There are more requirements that change so it is important to continuously check with WACs to make sure you’re up to date.

2. Not really surpised… There was a lot of information, very detailed.

3. Absolutely, WACs gives me more knowledge on how I can use my skills when being around watching/ taking care of children.

[Mykayla]

1. I discovered a lot more than when I was working in New York which now that I think back on it is kind of worrying because I only worked off of what was provided but now that I am in Washington I am provided extensive information that I find very valuable and useful and answers a lot of the unanswered questions I had while working in childcare in NY

2. I wasn’t expecting animal regulations, and I also wasn’t expecting to permit employees to use reasonable physical restraint if a child’s safety or others are threatened. It’s reasonable. I mean, if there is really nothing else to do to de-escalate the situation and others are put in danger that seems like the most reasonable option. I’ve discussed this with people who are not in childcare, and they also think it’s reasonable however they fear it might come back on their record though I’m sure there are protocols in place for these extreme situations.

3. The WAC is incredibly helpful. A great tool that you should go to if you are unsure about some things. Come to the WAC and don’t just assume what to do to make sure you are not negatively impacting yourself, the children, and those working around you.

[Melissa]

1. They are specific and thorough. For example, the WAC
about training requirements goes into detail about how and what kind of CPR
training to take to be in compliance. Another example is the WAC about retaining
facility and program records lists 22 specific records that must be available
for department review.

2. I was surprised to learn that by August of 2026 all assistant
teachers must have an ECE initial certificate.

3. I think some of these WACs
affect my day-to-day, but since we have a Center Director and an Assistant
Director, they take care of making sure we are in compliance and for the most
part we as Assistant teachers don’t have to think about most of these things often
or ever.

[Katherine]

1. By completing this activity, I learned what requirements, regulations, and protocols are in place for the state of Washington to be a licensed childcare facility. It was interesting to find out exactly what training and schooling needs to be done for each role within childcare, along with the state limitations on the number of children per adult.
2. I was surprised to see how detailed and thorough WACs are, literally touching on every subject possible when it comes to childcare and the protection of others. Also, the number of resources available when going through the licensing guidebook was astounding! While reading through WAC 110-300-0135, I found it interesting how much explanation goes into a good and welcoming layout for the facility as well!
3. WACs will influence my day-to-day actions while working in child care by setting a guideline and level of service that I will need to make sure I am providing to everyone each day. Also, if there is any hesitation with any safety or health issue, it’s a wonderful resource to look into how to handle such situations.

[Jenny]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? I was familiar with most of the WACs listed on the handout. I always appreciate how through the WACs are.
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? Not surprised by any ones on the handout.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? Yes! WACs give clear expectations on what to do and have readily available in your child care setting. I will be relying on WACs all the time.

[Allison]

1. I am always shocked by how in depth everything was, it seems like they really didn’t miss anything but I’m sure that’s due to years of seeing everything. It has really made me wonder what has happened in the past with childcare.

2. Yes actually WAC 110-300 0180, I was shocked to see teeth brushing as this is not something I have ever seen applied at the schools I’ve worked at.

3. Yes! I can see how they can help the structure of schools as well as help teachers and other staff recognize boundaries and laws they may have not recognized. I can also see how some of the WAC laws might offer opportunities for children to become more independent while at school which I thought was really cool.

[Shanna-Leigh Keliinoi]

1. The WACs are a lot more detailed than I expected. It really goes into depth of each rule.

2. I was not surprised by a specific rule, but I was surprised at how easy it is to navigate and find things.

3. The WACs will definitely influence my everyday routines because those are rules that need to be followed to ensure a safe learning environment.

[Eva]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? That it was all written in full detail, and that there was A LOT of information.
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? Not really, I was most surprised by how many there were.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? Yes, because most of the WACs seemed to almost be a rule book- like a long list of rules that you have to abide by.

[Annelise]

1. I learned that there are a lot more regulations then I knew there were, and that all of them are very accessible to me.

2. I was surprised by the garden regulations at a childcare center, and that dogs are allowed as long as they follow the regulations with them.

3. I can definitely see how WACs will influence my day to day work because now I know there are a lot more things I have to follow.

[Joan Peters]

I knew about some of the WAC’s after working at an emergency child shelter. We dealt with children with severe behavioral issues due to abuse, neglect, and trauma. We were all Right Response trained because we’d have to restrain some of the children. Then we’d have to write a Record of Restraint. We always had to have witnesses while dealing with the children to protect ourselves as well as the children. I have also been a classroom teacher and was familiar with the rule about restraints and it does make sense. If we didn’t restrain a child when necessary and they hurt themselves or someone else, then we’d be responsible. This WAC was put into place to protect the child and ourselves.

[Trinity]

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?
4. 1. I discovered that the WAC is a great resource to refer back to if I ever am unsure about what is okay and the rules I have to follow. It’s a nice guide to when someone may have an idea you want to bring into a classroom. Like if someone wants to start a garden or have a pet in the classroom. It’s a great thing to reference back to when you are wanting to get all the information on what’s allowed vs not allowed in a daycare setting. I like how throughly it is and how it covers a lot of things you wouldn’t think is necessary to mention, but makes sense to bring to light. Everyone can be on the same page.

2. I think a lot of things WAC addresses doesn’t surprise me because it makes a lot of sense how careful we have to be when taking care of another person’s child and when you are starting a daycare open to the public. It good we have these guidelines so that it can protect the children and ourselves as the daycare workers.

3. Yes I can see WACs influencing my day to day practice in caring for children because it is the standard we have to follow when taking care of children. It will help me with the flow of each day and what is expected from me with the service I provide for children and their families.

[Tara]

Many of the WAC’s that I’ve learned over the last 35 years were presented as policies of the childcare centers that I worked at so I didn’t always realize that they were part of the WAC code.

[Tara]

There were quite a few codes that are specific to administrators and owners of family in-home centers.

[Tara]

Since I work in the kitchen and not a classroom many of the WAC do not apply to the work I do.

[F. Astronimo]

1. It’s quite a lot of compliance requirements to be completed and I understand that all of those are necessary for preparation in the next step process of giving and teaching children during their early lives.

2. Not so much after I understand the process. It is best to be thorough than lacking information for preparedness moving forward into the program.

3. I believe that the knowledge acquired is crucial to effectively execute a safe and enjoyable learning process for children.