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Childcare Chatboard

project ideas

by nicole

Jan 28, 2011

Anyone have ideas on projects about animals for 3 to 5 year olds?

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Cheryl/NH On 1/28/11, nicole wrote: > Anyone have ideas on projects about animals for 3 to 5 year > olds?

Hi Nicole, Is there a specific animal theme you're thinking of? And are you looking for just art projects or others?

I do have a Winter Animals theme on my website. Feel free to use any of the activities. The link is listed below....See More

Jan 29, 2011

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Would This Be Considered A Long-Term Sub Job?

by Elizabeth

Feb 2, 2011

I was hired for the month of January to fil-in for the 2s coordinator and teacher at a small, private home turned daycare center.

I'm currently in the process of updating my résumé.

Would this be considered a long-term sub position?

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Cheryl/NH Hi Elizabeth,

I would list it as a substitute position and not consider it a long-term sub position. Typically that phrase would be used for 8 weeks or longer such as covering a maternity or surgery leave, or for a teaching term (semester or quarter).

Cheryl

Feb 3, 2011

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Discount tuition for children of daycare teachers??

by PaintGirl

Feb 2, 2011

Hi all- sorry for asking this question here, but I don't know quite where to find out the answer.

I am currently an elementary school art teacher. I worked at a preschool one summer and loved it. I always thought about returning to work at a daycare/preschool one day.

I am now pregnant with my first baby and I am considering makin...See More

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Cheryl/NH I agree with montmo, I would ask. There are many people who apply at centers and want their child with them. Ask if there is an employee rate for employee's children.

As you said, each center is different, it mainly depends upon the number of spaces. For example, in NH, there is a 1:4 ratio for infants. If they only have 4 infant spots, th...See More

Feb 3, 2011

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Elizabeth On 2/02/11, PaintGirl wrote: > If anyone has any insight, I would be really grateful. I > can't quite call up daycares and ask if they have open > teaching positions, and by the way, would my baby get a > discount on tuition as well?

Most daycares, childcares, and preschools, if not all, WILL offer their employees free or disco...See More

Feb 17, 2011

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Tuesday evening chats--Question for all of us!

by Cheryl/NH

Feb 3, 2011

On Tuesday evenings here at teachers.net there is one hour designated for early childhood chats. That would be from kindergarten age and lower. It's at 9:00 EST.

It is not visited often and I was wondering if everyone knew about it?

Also, Meeha/HI and I were thinking that perhaps if there were specific topics or things on our min...See More

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Cheryl/NH Yup, reminders are good! I'll do that on Monday nights, good idea.

Karen, on the preschool board, also brought up the time. 9:00 is late for us on the east coast, but it's only 6:00 on the west coast so any earlier and west coast teachers may not be home yet.

What are everyone's thoughts on nights/times?

Not sure what we...See More

Feb 6, 2011

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Schari That is hard to coordinate a time that will work with all the time zones.

I'm sometimes available on Mon and Wed nights. But like everyone else, there is a lot to accomplish each day.

On 2/06/11, Cheryl/NH wrote: > Yup, reminders are good! I'll do that on Monday nights, good > idea. > > Karen, on the preschool board, ...See More

Feb 7, 2011

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TOPIC ideas for chats?

by Cheryl/NH

Feb 6, 2011

Yup, another post!

What are some topics that you would all like to bounce around with other providers? Perhaps we can focus some of the chats and other discussions around what we are all needing support on?

Some ideas so far:

Transitions during the day

Circle Time--best use of the group time we have.

Ass...See More

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How To Land Work In Daycares, Childcares, and Preschools

by Elizabeth

Feb 7, 2011

I know what it's like to try and find work in the ECE field in the daycare, childcare, and preschool centers/programs. (I've been doing it myself for several years.) Teacher and Assistant Teacher positions are rarely advertised and it's not like there's a central location online where you can go to browse open positions. This means you have to be a...See MoreI know what it's like to try and find work in the ECE field in the daycare, childcare, and preschool centers/programs. (I've been doing it myself for several years.) Teacher and Assistant Teacher positions are rarely advertised and it's not like there's a central location online where you can go to browse open positions. This means you have to be active in your search and approach potential employers on your own. But how do you do it? Where should you start? How aggressive should you be? These are just a few questions I'll be answering as I share my tips and advice for landing work in the daycare, childcare, and preschool sector.

Ready? Let's begin!...

-Determine your maximun drive time. Just how far are you willing to drive for work? 10-15 minutes? 20-25 minutes? 30- 35 minutes? 40-45 minutes? 50 or more minutes?

-Mass E-Mail potential employers. Once you determine just how far you're willing to drive for work, start sending out mass E-Mails (make sure you use BCC) to every single potential employer within your determine drive time.

-Attach your résumé to the E-Mail and use the body of the E- Mail as your cover letter. Introduce yourself, talk about your experience, explain your qualifications, and, above all, SELL YOURSELF! Explain why you'd make a good candidate, why they should hire you or how you're uniquely different from other candidates.

-Put 'SEEKING WORK', 'SEEKING EMPLOYMENT' or the like in the subject line of the E-Mail. Be up front with potential employers. Let them know that you ARE looking.

-Mass E-Mail consistently 3 times a year. The E-Mail should go out every spring (March/April), summer (June/July), and fall (September/October). If you want to do it a 4th time, then I suggest mid winter (December/January). By being consistent, you're helping to really get your name out there.

-Be persistent with potential employers. If there's a place in particular you'd like to work, never give up trying to get in. For example: I live near the Great Lakes Naval Base where MWR is responsible for the staffing of its CDCs (child development centers) and YCs (youth centers). MWR retains applications and other employment materials for 3 months. So every 3 months, I simply re-apply.

-Consider all your options. Everyone wants to work full- time hours and many people can't afford to work anything but full-time hours. However, in a downturned economy where there are more individuals than jobs to go around, be open to working part-time hours or even subbing. More often than not, subbing will lead to permanent work and part-time work will lead to full-time work. Besides, there are employers out there who will only start out new hires on an on-call or part-time basis. So by being open, you show potential employers that you can be flexible to their needs. Employers like individuals who can be flexible and work around their needs.

Being we're in a downturned economy where there are more individuals than jobs to go around, means you also have to be competitive, especially since a lot of certified teachers who were laid off in the public and private schools are now flooding the daycare, childcare, and preschool sector hoping to maintain contact with children and still have some semblence of "teaching experience" going for them so when the economy improves they can easily return to the public and private schools and regain the pay and benefits they had before the economy got bad.

Education wise, of you have a CDA I'd consider getting an Associate's degree in ECE. If you have an Associate's degree, I'd consider getting a Bachelor's degree in ECE. If you have a Bachelor's degree, I'd consider getting a Master's in ECE. There's many great non-licensure degree programs out there and the more education you have, the better chance you stand in terms of being competative, especially against the certified teachers flooding the daycare, childcare, and preschool sector.

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Early childhood chat here tomorrow night 9PM Tuesday

by Cheryl/NH

Feb 7, 2011

Hi all!

If anyone can make it, maybe we can meet tomorrow night in the meeting room and talk about whatever! Topics, ideas for chat nights, times or just plain chat (I may vent if we get the 3-5 inches more of snow that's predicted for NH tonight!). Click the link below and then choose the Meeting Room!

I hope to get to meet you! ...See More

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Share your gross motor activities for this looonnnng winter!

by Cheryl/NH

Feb 9, 2011

Hi all!

I posted this on the preschool board and wanted to ask for your advice here on the Childcare board as well. I only have a 1/2 day program and most of you have full day! You must REALLY be feeling the cabin fever with your kiddos! And therefore have, I'm sure, some very creative gross motor ideas!

Being cooollllddd outside,...See More

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Great Chat Tonight! It was fun! Another time/day question!

by Cheryl/NH

Feb 9, 2011

Hi again!

There were several of us in the early childhood chat last night. It was great being able to "meet" and chat for a while!

A few suggestions were made about the early childhood chats and I was wondering what you all thought?

1. Is anyone interested in a weekly chat from the childcare board?

2. Would it he...See More

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Schari Missed it. Are there archives anywhere of the chat?

TIA

On 2/09/11, Cheryl/NH wrote: > Hi again! > > There were several of us in the early childhood chat last > night. It was great being able to "meet" and chat for a > while! > > A few suggestions were made about the early childhood chats > and I was wonder...See More

Feb 10, 2011

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nfm Cheryl/NH On 2/10/11, Schari wrote: > Missed it. Are there archives anywhere of the chat? > > TIA > > On 2/09/11, Cheryl/NH wrote: >> Hi again! >> >> There were several of us in the early childhood chat last >> night. It was great being able to "meet" and chat for a >> while! >> >> A few suggestions we...See More

Feb 10, 2011

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Montessori Schools in Pickering- Ajax

by Mya

Feb 11, 2011

I was wondering if anybody would reccommend a good montessori school in the Pickering-Ajax area. Is it possible to get information on reviews of the montessori schools

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montmo On 2/11/11, Mya wrote: > I was wondering if anybody would reccommend a good > montessori school in the Pickering-Ajax area. Is it > possible to get information on reviews of the montessori > schools

Mya: I don't think this is the right place to find out that kind of information. On the Montessori board in the past parents have ...See MoreOn 2/11/11, Mya wrote: > I was wondering if anybody would reccommend a good > montessori school in the Pickering-Ajax area. Is it > possible to get information on reviews of the montessori > schools

Mya: I don't think this is the right place to find out that kind of information. On the Montessori board in the past parents have asked similar questions about Montessori schools in your area(I had to google to find out what area you are speaking about). What happens is that the thread becomes either a school bashing or support of other schools.

What I would do is contact your various Montessori training centers and ask for a list of schools in your area. By reading their websites, you can decide which ones you think might fit your needs.(maybe you want a toddler program or go up through elementary and some schools are only preschool, or do not offer before and after care programs). Then read as much as you can about Montessori and write down the questions you will have. Call and arrange visits to the schools you are considering. Write down your impressions. Talk to the administrator after your visit to discuss your questions, concerns. You might not know this but there is not a patent on the Montessori name. Anyone can put a sign out and say it is a Montessori school. It is important to be an informed parent and to be able to ask questions that help in your decision. For instance let's say you get from your reading that children in the classroom should be moving freely about choosing materials from all over the room and working individually, with a peer or in a small group with a teacher.However, you might visit a school where all the children are sitting at tables doing worksheets, or the teacher has the entire class sitting around her "teaching" for long periods of time, then you should have some really good questions for that administrator!

I have always said that parents should trust their gut reaction. What one parent might rave about in a school, might not be important to you or you do not see that happening in the school. Everyone interprets it differently. That is what is cool about Montessori. Two people can go and observe in the same classroom and at the same exact time. One might come out and say the classroom is too structured and the other parent might say it was too chaotic. That is the beauty of Montessori - finding that balance of structure and freedom that meets the needs of children. However, if there are some blatant red flags on what you know should be standard in all authentic Montessori schools, you know the visit was all you needed.

If you still are not sure, schedule another visit. I have a list of parents, current and former, that I offer to prospective parents if they want to "check in" with people who have actual experience with the school/teacher. Rarely does anyone take me up on it though However, I know that this is an option for those parents who might need that support.

So, after collecting a list of Montessori schools in your area from training centers(there are more then one in your area), the best way to figure out which one is right for YOUR child is to visit as many as you can and compare. I wouldn't wait too much longer though because many of the schools fill up quickly this time of year. However, I would take your time and find the perfect fit for your child. I wish you well in a journey that just might change your life as well as your child's!

Feb 12, 2011

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Shahira Abdel-Nour On 2/12/11, montmo wrote: > On 2/11/11, Mya wrote: >> I was wondering if anybody would reccommend a good >> montessori school in the Pickering-Ajax area. Is it >> possible to get information on reviews of the montessori >> schools > > Mya: I don't think this is the right place to find out that > kind of informati...See MoreOn 2/12/11, montmo wrote: > On 2/11/11, Mya wrote: >> I was wondering if anybody would reccommend a good >> montessori school in the Pickering-Ajax area. Is it >> possible to get information on reviews of the montessori >> schools > > Mya: I don't think this is the right place to find out that > kind of information. On the Montessori board in the past > parents have asked similar questions about Montessori schools > in your area(I had to google to find out what area you are > speaking about). What happens is that the thread becomes > either a school bashing or support of other schools. > > What I would do is contact your various Montessori training > centers and ask for a list of schools in your area. By > reading their websites, you can decide which ones you think > might fit your needs.(maybe you want a toddler program or go > up through elementary and some schools are only preschool, or > do not offer before and after care programs). Then read as > much as you can about Montessori and write down the questions > you will have. Call and arrange visits to the schools you are > considering. Write down your impressions. Talk to the > administrator after your visit to discuss your questions, > concerns. You might not know this but there is not a patent > on the Montessori name. Anyone can put a sign out and say it > is a Montessori school. It is important to be an informed > parent and to be able to ask questions that help in your > decision. For instance let's say you get from your reading > that children in the classroom should be moving freely about > choosing materials from all over the room and working > individually, with a peer or in a small group with a > teacher.However, you might visit a school where all the > children are sitting at tables doing worksheets, or the > teacher has the entire class sitting around her "teaching" > for long periods of time, then you should have some really > good questions for that administrator! > > I have always said that parents should trust their gut > reaction. What one parent might rave about in a school, might > not be important to you or you do not see that happening in > the school. Everyone interprets it differently. That is what > is cool about Montessori. Two people can go and observe in > the same classroom and at the same exact time. One might come > out and say the classroom is too structured and the other > parent might say it was too chaotic. That is the beauty of > Montessori - finding that balance of structure and freedom > that meets the needs of children. However, if there are some > blatant red flags on what you know should be standard in all > authentic Montessori schools, you know the visit was all you > needed. > > If you still are not sure, schedule another visit. I have a > list of parents, current and former, that I offer to > prospective parents if they want to "check in" with people > who have actual experience with the school/teacher. Rarely > does anyone take me up on it though However, I know that this > is an option for those parents who might need that support. > > So, after collecting a list of Montessori schools in your > area from training centers(there are more then one in your > area), the best way to figure out which one is right for YOUR > child is to visit as many as you can and compare. I wouldn't > wait too much longer though because many of the schools fill > up quickly this time of year. However, I would take your time > and find the perfect fit for your child. I wish you well in a > journey that just might change your life as well as your > child's!

Feb 13, 2011

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