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Thursday, June 23, 2016

Child Care Ratios and Expectations


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"A Place for Infants" will highlight some concerns to watch out for when considering child care options.  Tips for Child Care Managers and Teachers will also be provided in this resource book that is planned for release some time in 2017. 



More Excerpts from "A Place for Infants"
By: M.B.Varville-Rodriguez, Child Development Specialist


"Parents who do not see management and staff working in tandem should be cautious about enrolling their child at the school.  Management should be genuinely supportive and not “over sell” the school’s concept.  If it seems too good to be true…trust that instinct!  Watch for subtle looks that pass between teachers.  For example:  If the Director says “We always keep a ratio of 1 teacher to 4 babies…better than state ratio….at all times.”  You should later ask teachers if there are times that it becomes so busy that state ratio must be used versus the school ideal.  It’s not bad if the state ratio is the best that can happen.  What you really should be concerned about is the level of integrity of your primary teaching staff.  Good care can occur within state ratios. It happens.  The reality of Child Care is that low teacher – student ratios are costly.  Real life happens.  Teachers get sick and it can be hard to cover their shifts.  There are brief periods of time at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day when rooms may need to combine as teachers arrive or depart in staggered shifts.  It’s a business too.  Just make sure you establish a good level of communication with staff to ensure proper transfer of information occurs during shift changes. How do you accomplish this?  Here are a few tips:"

Tips will be provided in the upcoming publication!
Check back for future release dates and information. 

SUBMISSIONS BEING CONSIDERED FOR THIS PUBLICATION
I am currently accepting questions, concerns, and observations from parents, teachers, and managers regarding Infant Child Care Programs.  I still have room in this book for additional comments, and welcome your input.    If I quote your comments in the book, you will receive a FREE Copy.  Send comments to mbvrodriguez3@yahoo.com with the Subject Line: A Place for Infants


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Monday, June 13, 2016

A Place for Infants ~ A Work in Progress (Excerpts from Intro and Chapter One)




                                                Introduction


An Infant Room Teacher is someone who should ideally love the art and science of brain development.  Babies are more than cute little darlings who capture our hearts and souls.  They are creative, intelligent, and far more ready to learn than many people have given them credit.  Thankfully, science has come a long way to dispel the myths associated with Infant Care and Development. 

We know that the brain is malleable and capable of absorbing a high capacity of material, especially the first year of life.  It is important to recognize that it is not necessary to “push” children forward in acquiring developmental skills.  On the other hand, it is significant that those tasked with overseeing their care become aware of how to encourage growth and development of milestones.

It is the responsibility of parents and teachers of young children to recognize the potential infants have and nurture them as they experience a wide range of sensory adventures in their environments.  For many families, entering child care on a part time or full time schedule becomes one of the many environments that potentially impacts development. Some Child Development Centers are better at noticing developmental milestones than others.  This resource guide is written so that I can share with you my years of observation in infant rooms. 

I have worked with Infants and Toddlers for over twenty years and have seen many trends and strategies employed in Infant Care.  Our promise to families when they enter The Infant Room should be, “We’re here to be a resource to you and your child.  Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help make this transition comfortable for you.  Call if you need to check on your baby during the day or stop in for a visit on your lunch break.  We want to make sure we do everything we can to share those wonderful developmental milestones with you.”



Chapter One
Establishing a Relationship with Your Infant’s Teachers

Take time to tour several schools before your baby is born.  Many high quality schools have a waiting list, so it is a good idea to start looking around as soon as the morning sickness abates.  Scheduling your visits is actually better than just dropping by for several reasons.  I have worked for companies where visits were allowed at any time of the day and were extremely disruptive.  Personally, I wish managers would reconsider this trend of “Let’s get ‘em in while they’re here and close the deal for a new enrollment.”  Owners and Directors won’t admit that’s their plan.  They pull you in for an impromptu “tour” to demonstrate there is nothing to hide and you can visit your baby at any time throughout the day.  I do not accept this as a great tool for marketing a program for many reasons.

Visits by parents whose children are already enrolled and have established a relationship with “The Room” (we’ll get to this later) are fine.  However, if I were expecting a new baby now, I would be appalled that strangers with no connection to the room were allowed to wander in to a classroom even if the Director is present.  Visitors most likely have not provided any background as to their motives. They do not require a copy of a driver’s license to keep on file like apartment complexes require prior to viewing a new home.  Safety measures are fairly lax.  

My child might have stranger anxiety and become fearful of new faces.  The entire routine of a classroom becomes disrupted.  This impacts feedings, scheduled and unscheduled diaper change needs, and activities that are a required part of a school’s daily curriculum.  Why not just look into the window and then schedule a time to return?  This gives teachers a chance to make necessary adjustments to activities and plan for someone to speak with parents while other staff occupy the babies and reassure them.  



Safety Tips for Child Development Tours 
Managers& Teachers

Chapter One will discuss in detail some safety tips and reasons why is is NOT a good idea to allow unscheduled tours in an Infant Room.  Many parents may not be aware of the reasons unless they have worked in a Child Development Full Day environment. 


Note:  If you are interested in purchasing this book and wish to be notified upon publication, please email me at mbvrodriguez3@yahoo.com.  I will alert you when this book is nearing completion and offer a few give aways to celebrate its release.  

(Goal: Publication by 2019!)

This project has been one that is close to my heart.  I have strong opinions regarding how Infant Care is provided.  These beliefs are based on many years of observation, knowledge of Developmentally Appropriate Practices, research by Early Childhood Advocates, and hands on experiences in Infant Programs.  Parents can find good care, but it is important to have an awareness of your expectations versus the realities.  

SUBMISSIONS BEING CONSIDERED FOR THIS PUBLICATION
I am currently accepting questions, concerns, and observations from parents, teachers, and managers regarding Infant Child Care Programs.  I still have room in this book for additional comments, and welcome your input.    If I quote your comments in the book, you will receive a FREE Copy.  Send comments to mbvrodriguez3@yahoo.com with the Subject Line: A Place for Infants


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Graphic attributed to: