[Laura]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? – I discovered how incredibly thorough they are. It’s a bit overwhelming but overall seems organized for easy reference.
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? – Not really, they all seemed to serve an important purpose.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? – Yes, I think they would influence day-to-day practice because a licensed childcare center’s activities and set up should be based on these standards.

[Gisela Bartolome]

1. I discovered the immensity and complexity of the WACs.

2. I was surprised to read about equivalency in qualifications but it was vague.

3. The WACs will influence my day today practice in caring for the children because it is a great resource, it answers questions I may have.

[Sarah Moss]

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

I discovered that the WACs are numerous and very thorough covering many subjects.

Were you surprised by any of the WACs?

I was surprised by the WAC for regulating screen time for children.

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

WAC’s will absolutely influence my day-to-day practice in caring for children since they set the health and safety standards we are required to follow.

[Davey Fradet]

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

While completing this activity I learned the Differences in early learning settings, and the differentiation between family home and center early learning requirements.

2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs?

I was surprised by WAC 110-300-0265 For children not using cribs or playpens, an early learning provider must provide developmentally appropriate mats, cots, or other sleep equipment made of water-resistant material that can be cleaned and sanitized. I didn’t know that mats and cribs were required, and the rules for the ability to clean.

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

The WACS will dictate your whole day, as they tell you how to handle situations and the rules for the place you’re working at.

[Kylie]

1. I learned that there was a lot more guidelines than I had initially had thought. Most are common sense which helps me understand them more.
2. Yes. <font face=”inherit”>WAC 110-300-0335. I was </font>surprised<font face=”inherit”> by the ability to use physical restraint. It makes sense its allowed to be used if another child is at rick but still </font>I<font face=”inherit”> </font>didn’t<font face=”inherit”> really think it would be allowed.</font>
3. 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?
   Were you surprised by any of the WACs?
   Absolutely. when it comes to kids and honestly anything you have to used your best judgment. But theses rules gives you the decision for certain situations so you won’t have to use your best judgment.

[Natylee]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? I discovered that the WACs are thorough, detailed, and enforceable. I also discovered that they are divided into seven sections.
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? I was surprised how many WACs were regarding room set up and environment.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? WACs cover all aspects of a career in child care, so it makes sense that they will influence my day-to-day practices.

[Kristin]

1. When I first began researching licensing I was shocked by how many WAC’s there are and how detailed many of them are. I was also surprised that the wording in some WAC’s can be very difficult to interpret. I have had to reach out to our licencor a few times for clarification.

2. Although I had read <b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; color: var(–bb-body-text-color);”>WAC 110-300-0425 before I completely forgot about it. When completing this activity I read it again and was so grateful I did. The school I work for has applied for their license and many of the staff are working on completing their CCB course. We need to be licensed ASAP and during on meeting with our licencor I will be sure to bring up <b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; color: var(–bb-body-text-color);”>WAC 110-300-0425!

3. While reviewing the WAC’s and after completion I realized I am already in compliance with 98% of them. I need to make a couple necessary changes such as improved record keeping but overall the WAC’s will not make a big change in my day to day routine with the children I teach.

[Sherri]

1. WAC provides ever scenario one can imagine and perhaps some we would not imagine could occur. It provides us guidance to any/all situations, which I find helpful. Some items may have been common sense, but their are times we find ourselves in a odd situation and not knowing what the correct way to deal with. The WAC is there to assist.

2. There was nothing that surprised me that was provided in the WAC. As I mentioned prior there is so much information in there for all scenarios. Some that we never feel we will find ourselves in but odd situations can and will happen to anyone.

[Sherri]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? I discovered the WAC things for every scenario. Some I found common sense, but others are things we never feel we will encounter.

2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? No, as I mentioned prior that the WAC provided rules and guidance for ALL scenario, which I find comforting. If I am unsure on what is best way to handle an odd situation I can turn to the WAC.

3. Can you se how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? The WAC I feel provides a great strong foundation when walking in to the childcare industry. He shared how important this career is and states great important factors on what good caregiving does give to the children while they are growing up.

[Vanessa Reyes]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? While completing the activity I found that WACs protect every child enrolled in childcare by having many regulations/requirements for staff members before working with children.
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? No, I wasn’t surprised by any of the WACs since I already knew that outside of WAC there are many laws protecting children in WA and I expected the same in childcare.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? WAC will influence my day-to-day practice in caring for children because now I know the regulations and requirements WA has to care for children through the state.

[Hayley Miller]

1) The main thing that I discovered through the WACs was the specific time frames for requirements. I knew documents needed to be kept for a period of time and now I know how long, I know how frequently inspections need to occur and how long those documents should be kept for, the timing of trainings etc.. Otherwise the information presented was not new to me. I also discovered just how tedious it is to read multiple WACs consecutively and how if english is not your first language or you have information processing difficulties how hard it would be to read these and understand exactly what they mean for you.

2) I was not surprised by any of the WACs as I was already familiar with the concepts presented in them.

3) These WACs are used in my day to day everyday. I have behaviorally challenged students that I follow the WACs for restraints for, I am just finishing my onboarding so I use the requirements in the WAC for having a child abuse course and all my proper documentation, I maintain an active CPR license, I file paperwork related to the children I serve etc..

[Cinna]

1. There are many WACs, and very specific!

2. No.

3. Mostly in ways to ensure the WACs are followed, meaning structuring care routines around them if necessary.

[Katrina Simental]

1. I discovered the WAC is clear and concise directions of operations of childhood education facilities.

2. I was surprised to see that what is in the WAC transfers through all child care facilities.

3. I feel safe operating within the boundaries of the WAC because they are explained very well. The expectations are very thorough and thought out.

[BEYZA NUR]

1. What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity? <strong style=”background-color: var(–bb-content-background-color); font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; color: var(–bb-body-text-color);”>I discovered so many requirements and information about Child Care and Early Learning to promote children’s health, safety and well-being.
2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs? I am really surprise because they explain anything and everything.
3. Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? Yes, I can see. All information are guiding me for my day-to-day practice in caring for children. And also, I know where to look and what to do if I need more details.

[Sydney Thompson]

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

I discovered that there is a lot more that goes into teaching aside from the curriculum and schedule. There are so many different policies and procedures that I would have never thought of that are clearly very important in running a safe and educational center/school. For example, testing the smoke detectors in the school on a monthly basis or ensuring the water is safe.

2. Were you surprised by any of the WACs?

I was surprised at the mass number of records that you are required to keep on staff, volunteers, students, the facility, and the schedule (in reference to WAC 100-300-0465). I was also surprised that records are kept on things such as toys and furniture considering how many donations many centers receive throughout the year. This absolutely makes sense for the safety of the students, it’s just not a thing you typically consider in your every day life.

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

I can definitely see how the WACs will influence every day that I am working as an educator because it is so clear how important this information is to the safety of the children as well as the quality of education they are receiving. Many people don’t think about the details like testing the water at the facility or posting the department toll free number or not picking up (restraining) students when they are in distress/danger, and these things impact our daily lives all the time. If not for the WACs, there would be no standard of care for the children and no basis for professionalism.