[Emily]

Observing and documenting a child’s development helps early learning providers tailor education to individual needs, monitor progress toward milestones, and identify potential developmental delays early.

[Emily]

Screen time in childcare should be used very little. Young kids learn best by playing and interacting with people, not watching screens. Babies and toddlers shouldn’t really have screen time, and older kids should only have small amounts with a teacher guiding them. If screens replace play or talking, it’s not helpful.

[Emily]

Early learning providers can create a “serve and return” environment by paying close attention to what children say and do, and then responding in a kind and timely way. When a child points, talks, or shows emotion, the teacher notices and responds by talking, asking questions, or joining in the activity. It’s like a simple back-and-forth interaction. Teachers also follow the child’s interests instead of changing the topic too quickly and help children with their feelings when they’re upset. By doing this throughout the day during play, meals, and routines, children feel heard, cared for, and supported as they learn and grow.

[Emily]

I would let the mother know how picking up the child late everyday can really affect the child’s emotions and regulations, seeing all of their friends leaving and wondering why they have to be stuck there can have a big impact on their emotions. Maybe letting her know how its impacting her child and that facility would help her. Maybe even help her find someone else to pick up her child if she still can’t make it on time.

[Emily]

WACs explain that you should always be inclusive and make them feel welcome and like they are in a space they can call their second home. Making sure they feel included in every activity and like their language and culture is important.

[Emily]

While I was reading the WAC 110-300 I noticed that there is a lot of different steps to licensing that I would have never thought would be an important step. For example, the fact that each age group has different rules and expectations when it comes to how many hours a day they can do. I wasn’t really surprised by any of them though because they all make sense. You have to be cautious about all these steps to ensure the childs saftey and privacy. I personally use WAC every day at work without even realizing it so it definitely has affected my day-to-day life, and it may even affect me more when I have kids someday.