To release stress, I like to sit on the floor of a hot shower and stretch my muscles.

Children like to tell me about their parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters and pets. They ask me about my life and I show them pictures of my cat, rabbit and the big trucks my husband drives for work. The boys really love to see the pictures of the big fuel tanker. I also like to sing to children. They like that.

There are so many situations where an entire program should be on one page. How is discipline handled, how are meal times handled. Does the program do the no thank you bite? Does the program restrict foods like ketchup and nacho cheese that aren’t even part of the CACFP? Or can children have unlimited servings of them? Are children allowed to… Read more

Be friendly and open. I try to ask questions. I tell them over and over that I’m there for them if they need to ask me anything or want to tell me anything about their family.

top desires1. safety 2. gentleness 3. no screenstop fears1. unsafe 2. harshness 3. screen time

I took the online workshop Watch Me! put out by the CDC where they cover this material. They recommend setting up a parent teacher conference. Give the parent/s a developmental checklist to fill out before the conference. During the conference, lead with the positives about the child. Then compare the parents developmental checklist and your… Read more

The early learning provider can focus on areas where the child is struggling if the provider is observing the child, their progress and skills.

Teach children how their bodies feel tense when they are stressed, such and hunched shoulders. Teach them to deep breathe. Have them do yoga.

When I feel compassion fatigue, I go to bed early and take naps on the weekends. I cuddle my cat and husband.

During learning center time, I like to walk around the room and check in with the groups of children playing. I might ask a few questions or make a few comments about what they are doing in their play. Maybe they ask me to read them a book or help with a puzzle they are putting together.

2 months fit in the mini pack and plays. This is the cusp of aging out of a bassinet. Of course a regular crib, evac crib or full size pack and play works too. Don’t be like my former co-teacher who put sound machines in cribs with the babies, either.

I have a list of movement songs like stand up sit down by Patty Shukla, Elephants have wrinkles, The Goldfish by Laurie Berkner and We are the Dinosaurs also by Laurie Berkner to highlight a few. I’ve done dance parties. I also just have children reach the sky, touch their toes, reach the sky, touch their toes.

Keep the kids active. Make sure they get a lot of outside time. Teach them to eat the rainbow. Get books on it and serve the rainbow for snack throughout a week. Family style dining is a way to make healthy eating fun. Encourage kids to drink water. Teach them a fun call out for drinking water. When you say, “drink waaaaaaaater!” Teach them to… Read more

The safety procedures that can be highlighted on the tour would be fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, safety gates, plexiglass to separate the food prep and diaper changing areas. Shelves should either be short or anchored to the wall. There should be fire exits in addition to the main exits. The outlets should all have plastic outlet… Read more

We are mandated reporters. We must contact CPS.

I worry that I will miss something that needs to make the environment safe and that a child will get hurt.

The choice of what you put in you learning stations has a lot to do with how engaged they get. If a center is popular, but normally only accommodates 2 or 3 children, revamp the room so it accommodates more kids. If kids don’t like a center, remove it, or move it into another center. Also, play dough is popular at any center I’ve worked in.

When I did some pyramid training, they talked about the importance of a visual schedule with pictures so the children could look to it to see what came next. There could be an open play for drop off. The actual day when most or all of the kids are there, should start with a small morning circle to welcome the day and go over the… Read more

I tried my hand at being an actress in NYC for a few years, so when I do storytime with kids, it’s a whole performance with various silly voices. They absolutely love it.

I just did a play dough training on Zoom last night, so I’m going to go with play dough available. The trainer was telling me that play dough being available is one of the ecers points. She used to be an ecers inspector. She said that she could tell some programs just put it out for the inspection and it wasn’t available or at least not very often.

Screen time in child care is a pet peeve of mine. I live in Idaho where there are no restrictions on it. Daycare workers at places I’ve worked might have babies in front of the TV for an hour and a half. It’s really so bad for kids. I was happy to see that if I drive into Washington to work in a daycare there, I should not be seeing babies… Read more

Staff needs to interact with the children. They need to put their phone away. When they go to areas with other teachers, they need to still interact with the kids, not chat with the other adults and ignore the kids.

Most places charge extra for late pick ups and this usually resolves the issue.

Which WACs address diversity and collaboration with families? WAC 110-300-0160 is the main WAC to address diversity and collaborationWhat big messages do the WACs give regarding diversity and collaboration? The regulations set forth a standard of diversity and equity.

So for handwashing, it’s not unique, but singing is probably the best. I like to just make up songs to sing with kids.

So, I’ve been working in Idaho and now I hope to be a child care provider in Washington, instead. Thus, I am taking this program. Washington assumes that all providers are responsible for knowing and following the rules. It seems like every state would want that. Idaho, though, there is a culture that you work in childcare several years before… Read more