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The
last weeks were very interesting for me while observing the program director,
executive director and the assistant director. Just watching them interact with
the children of all ages in the daycare was good to see how they handle problems
and a spring show. Also, they were busy trying to get the children that are in
kindergarten to do their work and they are also preparing them for their
graduation.
The spring show was the really the
highlight of what was being observed because every child except for the infants
were doing something in the spring show in English and Spanish. The daycare I
work for also teach the children Spanish daily and they are learning the second
language very well.
The children practice for the director
in the gym daily with their teachers and the Spanish teachers to make sure everyone
knew their parts. The program director which oversees the classrooms was in
charge and making sure that all signage was done correct and making sure the children
as well as the teachers were doing their best.
Each teacher was responsible for making
customs and different little art work to be shown while they were performing
for the families. The spring show really turned out right and the toddlers even
sang and danced in their bumble bee customs and their teachers were big
sunflowers.
The executive director is in charge of
all billing and paperwork at the center. She was busy enrolling and trying to
keep the files updated. This is a pretty big center and lots of paperwork is
done daily. There are parents paying fees, enrolling children, paying for pizza
parties, nacho parties. You name it they were doing it at this daycare.
The executive director also helps out
with some of the children that need additional attention sometimes. For example,
there is this one kindergartner that is always in trouble in class so he does
most of his work at the front office with the director. He tries to hit the
teacher and always in trouble in class. I asked how long has this been going on
and was told for about two months. The daycare did not want to take action to
have him removed because it is too close to graduation and they know of some
personal problems at home.
This is something that I did like about
this particular boy situation was the daycare are trying to give him one on one
and teach him how to get along with others without fighting and being so angry.
The assistant director was busy each day
relieving people for breaks making sure each classroom are following proper
procedures with ratio to the bathroom, lunchtime, nap time, and making sure the
rooms are clean and safe for the children as well as for the staff. With the
bathroom the assistant director makes sure the hallways are free of things on
the floor like water and not too many children in the bathrooms at the same time.
At lunchtime she is making sure the children are serving themselves seeing that
the food is prepared family style. The ratio at nap time has to be the same as
when the children are up and interacting with each other. Also, at nap time is when the teachers are preparing
work for the children for the next day, week or when they are getting up from
nap.
The insights that were gained was seeing
just how busy and how much work these three individuals really have each day.
Because doing in the classroom all day with my children not know what they do
each day was really a wake up call for me. They do come around and help us with
the children throughout the day but we never knew just how busy they really are
until the observation came about. Early literacy is the topic of choice and
seeing all the different forms of reading and writing at the daycare throughout
the rooms was amazing. Being in the infant room we do not have all the different
and math. literature on the walls and the library for the children to be able
to see just how much reading and writing is happening at the daycare. We have
read along books and headsets for the children three years old and up. Each
room has a fully staffed library of books in English and Spanish, the walls are
filled with art work, literature, pictures and writing in English and Spanish. We
even make sure the children are exercising first thing in the mornings before
circle time each day. The children are learning through books and music daily
how to read, write, art, science and math.
Great Posting,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your posting and how the staff really works together as a team. Working as a team inside a daycare setting is the most important aspect of what a daycare should really be about. The assistant was doing billing work and others were preparing for a play at the school. What really amazed me was, how they have a gym inside the daycare, the daycare I work at doesn't have a lounge for the teachers, but they're working on it. I like how the executive director communicate with children who has special needs, some daycare doesn't have the companionship as others. Great posting and I really reading your post.
Marcia,
ReplyDeleteThis was a really interesting interaction/observation. I also have had the experience of observing everyone who works at a center as part of the children's day. The director and others that might be around all have to get their hands wet. It is really a team work to make sure that all children are receiving what they need.
I really enjoying reading that all children were part of the spring school play accept for the babies. This is a really special thing that not all schools do with children and the fact that was bilingual English and Spanish makes even more special. All children in this environment are learning both languages. The expose that the English speaking only are getting from the other children will stay with them forever. They will be very receptive to learning Spanish in the future if this is their desire.
You have picked a really interesting topic to advocate for. This is an area in which a lot of schools are working on. The number of children with speech delay has increased and there is a need for teachers to work extra hard on the literacy piece to help them as they get older with their vocabulary and the ones that need extra help so they can work on the children's need.
Marcia, this center sounds great and it seems as if those in charge, Director, etc really cares about the staffs well-being as well as the children's. I believe that when staff members are treated with respect and dignity, they are better equipped to give this to the children they serve daily. I too, have chosen literacy because I really feel as though the students of today are slipping through the cracks as in the old days where a child grew up being able to be a great ball player, but did not know how to read and write. Many young children who lack this ability will act out to deflect attention on the fact that they are not comprehending what is before them, when in fact, they are drawing more attention to themselves. At the site where I am doing my observation, the director is in charge of paying the bills and the overall flow of her site. She gives her staff the freedom to develop their individual programs, specifically speaking of the literacy program. I have already started talking to the staff about some of the programs that will be ongoing throughout the summer once school is out so that the students will have continued access to reading and literacy programs.
ReplyDeleteHi Marcia,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog. This center seems like a great place and the director seems to do a good job.I know it is very difficult when working with children at this age, but I enjoy it. The director and the administrative do have an ongoing job. They have to make sure that everything is run the right way. They make sure that everyone is happy and is involved in all the children s life that is at this center. When you find a program that builds a great relationship with children and parents to the center will excel in a great way for the future of the children.
Marcia,
ReplyDeleteThis was a really interesting interaction/observation. I also have had the experience of observing everyone who works at a center as part of the children's day. The director and others that might be around all have to get their hands wet. It is really a team work to make sure that all children are receiving what they need.
I really enjoying reading that all children were part of the spring school play accept for the babies. This is a really special thing that not all schools do with children and the fact that was bilingual English and Spanish makes even more special. All children in this environment are learning both languages. The expose that the English speaking only are getting from the other children will stay with them forever. They will be very receptive to learning Spanish in the future if this is their desire.
You have picked a really interesting topic to advocate for. This is an area in which a lot of schools are working on. The number of children with speech delay has increased and there is a need for teachers to work extra hard on the literacy piece to help them as they get older with their vocabulary and the ones that need extra help so they can work on the children's need.
It was an very interesting observation, I always love spring plays in a center, it is so interesting how much the teachers, children, and staff put in to it to make it so enjoyable. I think the babies should of had a small part in it, but that is just opinion.
ReplyDeleteThe learning environments sound well rounded and it seems like the English speaking children learn from the Spanish, and vice versa.
Also the behavioral issue, I feel that a center should do everything to help families, and there are issues at home is what you stated, but where do they draw the line for extreme behaviors? Does the center have a policy regarding what the director needs to do in those cases?
Hi Marcia, as I mentioned to Tammie the role of a director can be very difficult and stressful at times. The hats that they wear are constantly changing from day to day and every aspect of the program must be advocated for. It seems as if you are at a pretty good site and everyone has fun and works together to make good outcomes happen for the program and that when there is good team spirit and connections as family things get done. I enjoyed reading your blog it was very entertaining.
ReplyDeleteThe child that sat by the front office doing work - did you ask if the child has a behavior plan? If a child is having behavioral difficulties at this young age have they done RTI? What interventions have been put in place? What strategies have they used to help this child control his behavior.
ReplyDeleteMarcia,
ReplyDeleteNice blog post. I bet it was really nice to see the children practicing for the spring show. I like to see team work within schools. This shows that they are organized and how much they care about the children.
Personally, I am against secluding a child. I think this should be the last option if the child is being very harmful to others. If this is the case they have to take action to prevent this from happening. I think the executive director or whoever is available should sit with this child in their class to observe what sets him off and go from there. The one on one needs to be done in familiar settings, such as his classroom setting.
That is good that you got to see hands on what these individuals do on a daily basis. Also, I believe promoting literacy is important so it is nice to know they have print displayed, diverse books, and learning literacy through other subjects.