[Anya Brennan]

Do you have any tips or advice on creating and maintaining a daily schedule for children?From what I am gathering, a daily schedule should meet all of their basic needs (nap, meals, and bathroom). Then for engagement, a mix of quiet, collaborative, outdoor, structured time to create varying stimulation and skill building for them.

[Anya Brennan]

One key component is an open floor plan with multiple zones dedicated to different types of activities. This setup helps create a rich, engaging environment that encourages exploration, independent learning, and creative play.

[Anya Brennan]

What are some good ways to approach a parent about developmental screening of their child?Before talking to parents of child. Look over observations, review Developmental Guidelines, communicate with other staff of their observations. Then create script of communication with parents, include what child is doing great, area of concern and prepared resources. Parents may feel defensive, have questions, feel scared. Be prepared to provide as much encouragement direction and resources as possible and to hold space for their emotions to process.

[Anya Brennan]

Observing and documenting a child’s development helps early learning providers because it helps disrupt bias by taking intentional observation, assessment and documentation of each child in their classroom. When children feel valued, seen and encouraged for the skills they have and are growing, it creates confidence and inclusion among children which creates a more positive classroom environment. It also provides early learning providers context in building their curriculum and information to relay to parents/guardians on how to better support their child outside the classroom.

• This reply was modified 10 months, 1 week ago by  Anya Brennan.
• This reply was modified 10 months, 1 week ago by  Anya Brennan.

[Anya Brennan]

I have observed and experienced kids display more disregulation when screens are involved. They are too stimulating and non interactive with our minds. Childcare is a time for kids to be socializing with other students, practicing routines, gaining emotional, physical, intellectual, imaginative skills. Screens do not provide those.

[Anya Brennan]

During playtime, one on one with an infant anytime they are looking, pointing, gesturing. I can engage, name it acknowledge it and continue until they focus on something else.

This can be with a toy, object, toy, person, body parts, etc.

• This reply was modified 10 months, 1 week ago by  Anya Brennan.

[Anya Brennan]

I would say, “Hi Mrs. Hopkins, I can imagine things may be busy for you at the moment” or “I know you are trying your best and I am glad you made it. I wanted to share with you that this is the third time in the last 2 weeks that you have picked up your child late. It is not fair to ask our staff to wait an extra 20 minutes after their workdays. Is there anything you want to check-in about? Do you think we can make a plan to ensure your child can be picked up on time in the future?”

[Anya Brennan]

What did you discover about the WACs while completing the activity?While reading through WAC Chapters 110-300, it helped refresh and expand on the importance of structured and intentional early learning environments, not just to support children’s development, but to ensure their safety and well-being.Were you surprised by any of the WACs?While I understood and appreciated how many specific regulations exist for small children in WAC. I was also impressed and surprised to learn how detailed some of the requirements are. The rules around nap time supervision, cleaning procedures, and staff-to-child ratios at different times of the day were far more precise than I expected. It’s really encouraging and brings me joy to know that Washington State upholds such high standards for the care of young children.Can you see how the WACs will influence your day-to-day practice in caring for children? Why or why not? Yes, WAC will is an incredible guide and tool in shaping and creating daily routines through professional practices. I appreciated how clear the framwork was to ensure children are safe, nurtured and developing in an appropriate environment. I value that they reinforce consistency and accountability in childcare settings.