TKW Consulting

Advocate calls for pre-school education for all
Address made Tuesday to 250 area
leaders
Charles A. Slocum
Budgeteer News Last Updated: Friday,
April 07th, 2006 09:37:24 AM

Speaking to 250 community leaders from northeastern Minnesota in Duluth, the former publisher of the Miami Herald, David J. Lawrence said Tuesday that “all children need the basics. American fairness tells us that all parents want kindergarten for their young children, they want it now and they want high quality.” Lawrence spoke at a “Key Leaders Summit on Early Care and Education” sponsored by the Northland Foundation and SMDC Health System. He has been engaged on a full time basis in advancing early childhood development and school readiness in Florida since 1999.

Lawrence, as the keynote speaker, conducted homework linking and comparing the economies and ethnicities of northeastern Minnesota with Florida. He called for common purpose in supporting the school readiness of young children. He said, “I came to believe that we must, community by community, build a movement for everyone’s child — poor, rich and in-between.”

Speaking of Minnesota, he said, “A place and people of such character ought to insist on being in the front ranks of ‘school readiness’ in America. You build from a base that is better than some. I note your impressive high school graduation rate and your declining unemployment rate. “And while I note your impressive efforts to attract more jobs, I also see a region with too many low-paying jobs, a growing-older labor force, pockets of great poverty, the thousands of your children who do not get the proper mental-health attention, the 18 percent of your third graders who are not at minimum reading proficiency and a college graduation rate that underperforms the national averages. And every bit of this ties in directly with school readiness and high-quality early development, care and education.”

The last decade of activity in Florida has revealed the following:

• Too often, K-12 school professionals have given more “lip service” than real support. “Too many superintendents seem so squeezed by the challenges of the K-12 system, so squeezed by the lack of dollars,” he said, “that they see the early childhood years as an ‘add-on,’ something good to do, but not important enough for real focus and real investment.”
• A public will has been created to move forward primarily by building parental awareness. “The wisest of … school teachers will quickly tell you that the truly crucial variable is how good a shape — socially, emotionally, cognitively, physically — their children arrive in the classroom,” he said. “One piece of national research underscores the case: If 50 children leave first grade as poor readers, 44 of them will remain poor readers after the fourth grade.”
• Prenatal to age three are the most critical times for learning and young children. “Children can be mighty far behind by the time they get to a quality age-4 program,” he said. • There is now a recognition that only one-in-five of the existing childcare centers are effective in meeting the highest early learning standards.
• The local communities with parental involvement in partnership with public schools works best.
• Aligning the curriculum for pre-K through grade 3 is one successful strategy being implemented. “In a nation where more than two-thirds of mothers of children birth to 5 work outside the home,” he said, “child care is the feeder pattern for most children who go to elementary school. The wisest superintendents will be eager to build meaningful relationships with those places that will send children to their schools.”
• Passage of a statewide constitutional amendment (59-41 percent) to make available a free, high-quality early learning experience for all Florida 4-year-olds has been accomplished and is being funded and implemented.
• Passage of the Miami-Dade Early Learning Amendment to provide high quality early childhood programs in support of “everyone’s child” has provided an additional $80 million in taxpayer support.

“Seize the opportunity. It is yours, ours and America’s opportunity,” said Lawrence. “Investing upfront is the best answer. The window is wide open in a way that it will never be again,” he concluded.

A political independent, Lawrence has undertaken community leadership roles at the request of the two most recent Florida governors — Democrat Lawton Chiles and Republican Jeb Bush. A father of five, Lawrence’s career honors include 11 honorary doctoral degrees and being named “Father of the Year.” He is currently president of the Miami-based Early Childhood Initiative Foundation.

Charles A. Slocum is president of the Williston Group, which does management consulting and helped found the Minnesota Business for Early Learning organization.

Choosing a family child care for your child means asking a lot of questions and being observant. Start your search about six months before you'll need childcare (the best places fill up fast) — and use the following list as a guide. Keep in mind, though, that you likely can't have everything. A licensed provider with a safe, clean home who loves kids and interacts well with them, and who offers a wide range of appropriate activities but who doesn't have an educational background in early childhood development is still probably a good bet.

Ideally, a good home daycare should have:

A good reputation
A good home daycare should have a welcoming, friendly atmosphere and be well known for its nurturing environment. Ask the provider for names and numbers of current clients and call them for references. Also, your own first impressions definitely matter here.

Bottom line: If you don't hear good things, and it doesn't feel right when you're there, keep looking.

Established ground rules
It's important for a home daycare to be flexible, letting you pick up and drop off your child at different times, for instance, but it should also have clearly established regulations for everything from operating hours to how to handle emergencies. That way you know the provider takes her responsibility — your baby — seriously.Along the same lines, look for a provider with a strict sick-child policy. Find out which illnesses mean your child has to stay home and for how long. A tough policy may inconvenience you if your child is ill, but keeping sick children (and adults, for that matter) away from each other makes sense. A good home daycare helps cut down on illness by requiring all children to have current immunizations and regular checkups.

If the provider doesn't boast an open-door policy and encourage parents to stop by unannounced, chances are she's got something to hide. Keep searching. A great caregiver will go beyond merely letting you in and invite you to become almost part of the "family" by helping with activities, coming along on field trips, and so on.

Bottom line: If a home daycare is poorly organized and has lax or nonexistent rules, it's not likely to be right for you.

A stimulating curriculum
The best home daycares have structured schedules that include plenty of time for physical activity, quiet time (including daily reading sessions for groups and individuals), group programs, individual activities, meals, snacks, and free time. Television and videos should play little or no part in what your child does all day. A well-thought-out curriculum stimulates your child's development and makes daily life more fun. Also, look for a home daycare that offers regular outings; as long as they're well supervised, stimulating, and age-appropriate (trips to the park, the museum, etc.), these are good for your child and are often something a large center can't offer.

Look for a provider with a wide range of age-appropriate toys that will encourage your child's development and, as she gets older, stimulate creative, imaginative play. Children should also have the chance to play outside every day (weather-permitting, of course) — running, jumping, and skipping are good for them physically, mentally, and socially. As with outings, make sure children are adequately supervised while they play outside. If you live in a city, where many houses don't have safe outdoor play yards, make sure the home daycare has the next best thing, a spacious indoor area.

If you have to bring your child's food, find out the provider's guidelines. Some may require you to pack only nutritious foods; that's okay — caregivers who don't restrict candy or other sweets may not have your child's best interests at heart. If the provider does offer food, find out what she serves at meal and snack times (and make sure she's aware of your child's allergies, if he has any). Does she encourage healthy eating habits and cover all the food groups? If not, keep looking.

Bottom line: If your child won't get a wide range of age-appropriate activities, move on.

A qualified, committed caregiver
Anyone who makes a career out of caring for and teaching children should be educated and experienced. At least two years of college and a background in early childhood development (though many states don't require this) are ideal, as is CPR and other emergency training. However, you may soon realize that this standard is harder to achieve in home daycare situations than in center care. Home daycare providers do tend to have more hands-on child raising experience than nannies or center employees, as they're usually mothers themselves. Ask about a provider's experience and training when you interview her. If you really like her, but she doesn't have all the emergency training you'd like, consider paying for a course yourself.

Home daycare providers should genuinely enjoy being with children and love to help them learn and explore. Note how the provider interacts with the children. Providers should be responsible, enthusiastic, and well-prepared. If you see her getting down to eye level to talk with children as individuals, consider that a promising sign. Look for a provider who shares your philosophy on sleep, discipline, feeding, and other care issues. A good provider will ask detailed questions about your child's health and care requirements to help determine if it's good match.

Make sure the provider is caring for the right number of kids. Home daycare providers can't take on more than two babies under 30 months, five kids under five, and two additional school-aged children at once. Any more than that and your child is likely to get less attention than he needs and deserves. Besides, small groups encourage interaction and development.

Bottom line: If the provider seems bored, overworked, or inexperienced, keep looking.

Clean, safe facilities
A good home daycare is clean and sanitary. Floors, walks, and the kitchen should be kept clean, trash shouldn't be left sitting unemptied, the caregiver should wash her hands after every diaper change, and the house should have adequate heat, light, and ventilation. A plan for emergencies should also be in place and exits should be clearly marked. Just because it's a private home doesn't mean it shouldn't meet these standards; know your state's licensing regulations so you can be sure the provider is meeting them.

As far as safety is concerned, toys and play equipment should be in good repair, upstairs windows (if any) should have screens or bars, all medicines and other hazardous substances should be out of reach, bedding should be fresh and firm (to reduce the risk of SIDS for babies), and the outdoor play area should be level and secure. Smoke detectors should be in place and working, radiators and heaters should be covered or otherwise protected, a first-aid kit and fire extinguisher should be close at hand, and all standard childproofing techniques should be followed (covered outlets, safety gates, door latches, etc.). If she's going to drive your child in her car, make sure your car seat will fit. Keep an eye out for security as well so strangers can't just walk in off the street.

Bottom line: If the provider's home seems rundown or poorly kept, skip it.

A current license
A license isn't a guarantee of quality care (that's why you have to evaluate the caregiver herself), but you really shouldn't consider any home daycare that doesn't have up-to-date state credentials. Unfortunately, many states have less than stringent licensing requirements, especially for home daycares; some require only that the provider mail in a self-certification form or to add her name to a list.

Nevertheless, ask any potential provider to show her your license (and call your local social services department to double-check) — it's certainly better than nothing. Providers must also meet state licensing regulations for health and safety. A very few home daycares have been accredited by the National Association of Family Child Care; if you find one, consider yourself very lucky.

Bottom line: A license isn't everything, but if the provider doesn't have one, keep looking.

6. Mothers not staying home with their children has helped erode "family values".
Parents are—and will continue to be—the determining factor for young children in the transmission of values. By this, we mean that children’s values are overwhelmingly influenced by their parents, even when those children attend full-day child care. Children bond at an early age with their parents and take important cues from them on how to interact with the greater world around them.

7. Children need full time maternal care when they are young to thrive.
While it is true that poor quality child care may contribute to negative effects; the evidence also shows that good quality care benefits children. There is considerable evidence, especially from early intervention studies,that good quality child care can play an important role in protecting children from family-based risk. For instance, good quality child care appears to lessen the negative effects of poverty and maternal depression on the development of infants and older pre-schoolers

8. The quality of child care doesn't have much impact on a child's development.
Parents who feel this way are sadly mistaken. A child grows immensely in his/her younger years. Childcare programs play an unparallel role in school readiness, the development, and future success of a child.

9. There are no skills required for operating a Family Child Care
At a minimum, a family child care Owner/Operator must posses: a love for children, patience, and the ability to run a business. In addition to these skills, each states has requirements that must be met before licensing and/or registration is granted. At a minimum, these invaluable skills include First Aid CPR, Safe Food Handling Practices, and Child Abuse Prevention, which not only enhance the providers ability to provide quality childcare, but also gives guidance and knowledge in rearing their own children.

And my favorite:
10. Family Child Care is Babysitting
For those who deem offering childcare as merely babysitting, think again. Childcare is a business, that requires the owner/operator to: set rules and polices; organize their day; create a business plan; use written contracts, authorizations and agreements; offer activities, a nurturing environment, meals and meet the basic needs of the children in their care.

Can you think of any more myths that need to be brought up? It is only by clearing away the distractions of these myths that we can begin to move ahead and plan programs and policies that will support the lives of all children and families

// posted by Tammy Wachter @ 4:38 PM 0 comments

NAEYC Develops 10 Standards for Quality Preschool and Child Care; Creates Checklist for Families, Strengthens Accreditation System

WASHINGTON, April 17 /U.S. Newswire/

-- The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is helping families make the right choice for their kids by giving them a tool to know whether child care programs, preschools, and kindergartens meet the mark of quality. NAEYC has 10 standards that define excellent programs for young children and an accreditation system to measure whether programs meet those standards. Now NAEYC has created a Quality Checklist of characteristics parents can look for when choosing a program.

"Choosing the right child care program or preschool can seem overwhelming," says Mark Ginsberg, Ph.D., executive director of NAEYC. "NAEYC wants to help families feel good about the choices they make. The Quality Checklist will help parents in their search."

NAEYC's Quality Checklist helps families determine whether a program provides excellent
care and education. High-quality programs should meet the following standards, as outlined in the NAEYC Accreditation system:

1. Promote positive relationships for all children and adults
2. Implement a curriculum that fosters all areas of child development - cognitive,
emotional, language, physical, and social
3. Use developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate and effective teaching approaches
4. Provide ongoing assessments of child progress
5. Promote the nutrition and health of children and staff
6. Employ and support qualified teaching staff
7. Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with families
8. Establish and maintain relationships and use resources of the community
9. Provide a safe and healthy physical environment
10. Implement strong program management policies that result in high-quality service

For 20 years, NAEYC's voluntary accreditation system has measured the quality of child care centers, preschools, kindergartens, and other programs for children from birth through five years.

In 2004, NAEYC began a thorough reinvention of its accreditation system to reflect new research and to better serve centers and families. "NAEYC has worked for decades to help programs improve," says Ginsberg. "Our new accreditation system has improved as well, to give programs a clear and efficient structure, and help families make the right
choice for kids."

To earn NAEYC Accreditation, programs must complete a rigorous four-step review process to prove they meet the NAEYC standards, including an on-site visit by a NAEYC
assessor. There are more than 400 criteria that programs use to demonstrate that they are meeting the standards. NAEYC Accreditation lasts for five years, during which programs must submit annual reports and are subject to unannounced visits to ensure they remain in compliance.
---
The National Association for the Education of Young Children is the largest organization of early childhood educators and others dedicated to improving the quality of programs for children from birth through age eight. Founded in 1926, NAEYC has nearly 100,000 members, and over 300 local, state, and regional affiliates. NAEYC and its affiliates work to improve early childhood education and build public support for high- quality programs.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

// posted by Tammy Wachter @ 4:21 PM 0 comments

Twas the morning of Easter, the breaking of dawn,
The sun is just rising, there's dew on the lawn.

The kids were in bed, still soundly asleep,
nary a sound to be heard, not even a peep.

The eggs were all boiled and decorated and dyed,
It's egg salad season again, my wife sighed.

Easter's that one special time of year,
When baskets of green plastic grass seem so dear.

Filled with goodies to satisfy a candy fix
with chocolate, jelly beans, and marshmellow chicks.

But there's more to Easter than bunnies and toys,
colored eggs and candy for all girls and boys.

The reason for Easter is that Christ came to save,
He died and was buried, then rose from the grave.

So remember when picking up boiled eggs of odd hues,
The meaning of Easter: to share the "Good News".
Scott Wachter - 2006

// posted by Tammy Wachter @ 10:54 AM 0 comments