Sunday, November 10, 2013

Journal entry 12

When Preparing for a Family - Teacher Conference

The child has made the most progress in the following areas:  your child has made the most improvement in potty training, social skills and Self Image.  The potty training has gone very well, your child now goes potty without being reminded and has not had any accidents in two weeks. Their social skills have improved greatly. They have been playing with a special friend on a daily basis and calls them their friend. And your child's self image has improved my  being able to identify their full name when I write it. 

The activity the child enjoys the most is: Your child enjoys moving to music. We play hokey pokey and head shoulder knees and toes and your child participates and asks to do it again.

The child is most excited and attentive when: We do circle time. your child loves circle time. They always want to do the calender, abc's, counting, name colors and shapes. 

The best form of redirection for this child is: For your child the best form of redirection that I have found for your child is showing them a new activity or toy.

One objective the family could work on at home with this child is: The objective we are working on right now is pattern tracing. I would like the child to practice at home also. I can give you some worksheets and books to take home to practice with as well as looking on the internet for ideas. 


Friday, November 1, 2013

Journal entry 11

Auditory learners learn best by hearing the things that they need to learn.To reach parent who are auditory I would print out a newsletter for them to read. I would also read the important information to them so that I reinforce what they are needing to remember.

Visual learners learn best by reading words and looking at pictures. For my parents who are visual learners I would make a newsletter  with the important information on it, I might even add some pictures to go with the information.

Kinesthetic learners learn best by touching and having the material in hand. For my parents who are hands on I would give them the printed flyer to see, go over the important information with them and ask them for their input on the information and how to make it better or change it.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Journal Entry 10

HEALTH ALERT


It has been reported that your child has recently been exposed to Strep Throat.

WHAT IS IT?
 Strep throat is a bacterial infection. Not every sore throat is Strep.

How it is spread:
Inhaling respiratory droplets from an ill person spreads strep throat.  It is usually spread by sneezing or coughing, or indirectly by contact with hands or objects (such as drinking cups or eating utensils) contaminated with nose or mouth discharges of an infected person (respiratory spread). 

What to look for:
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, and oozing and redness of tonsils and throat.  It can only be diagnosed with a laboratory throat culture. 

What you can do:
 Frequent hand washing.
 Good personal hygiene practices should be followed.  Cover the nose and mouth when        coughing or sneezing.
 Dispose of soiled tissues after wiping a runny nose.  Always follow with proper hand           washing.
 Do not share eating utensils, food, or drinking cups.
 Wash and sanitize toys mouthed by infants and toddlers. 

How is it treated? 
 Penicillin or other effective antibiotics, as prescribed by a doctor.
 To prevent potential complications, such as rheumatic fever, antibiotics should be                continued for ten days. 

 When is it contagious?
 The infection can be passed for about 24 hours after adequate treatment begins.  Untreated persons remain infectious as long as they are sick, usually three to seven days, or longer, two to three weeks. 

How long does it take after exposure before symptoms appear (incubation)? 
Usually one to three days. 

If you suspect your child has been infected:
Call your child's pediatrician for test and treatment
Call the center to report the infection
Your child can return to the center after 24 hours of antibiotics

What we are doing to prevent the spread:
We are washing all the bedding,pillows,stuffed animals anything cloth
We are disinfecting all toys and washable surfaces with a bleach water solution
Washing hands frequently 


Journal Entry 9

PEANUT POLICY

 

The Headrick Family Child Care home is asking  for your understanding in not sending any peanut or tree nut products to the daycare. We have some children with severe allergies to these products. We are looking out for the  health and safety of all children while in our care.  Please do not send any peanut , tree nut or nut-containing products.  These include the obvious peanut butter and jelly sandwich, peanut butter cups, candies, cookies, and cereal bars.  Please be aware of other products that may contain peanuts according to their labels.  Some of the following products contain or are processed in a facility that has nus in them, these are plain M&M’s, Mini Chips Ahoy cookies and low fat Cheez Nips, Chili, yogurt, anything fried in peanut oil, etc.. We must read all labels before a food/drink item can enter the daycare. This is the only way to prevent an allergic child from having a reaction. 


Some products that we have found to be nut free are:
 Jr. mints         Oreos                     Dole fruit cups                       Applesauce                  Pudding         
Twizzlers                    Animal Crackers         Pretzels                        Cheetos
Rice crispy treats                Skittles              Fig Newtons                 Potato Chips 
Nilla Wafers           Pringles            Gummy treats             Cheez Its            smarties               

      
We hope you understand the seriousness of this problem and our efforts to prevent a medical emergency  Thank you for your cooperation.  Please feel free to stop by the office if you have any additional questions regarding this policy.

                                                                                                 Thank You
                                                                                             Melissa Headrick
                                                                             Headrick Family Child Care Home

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Journal Entry 7

Dressing for success in a childcare setting does not mean frumpy mom jeans and sloppy t-shirts. You can dress for success and still be comfortable and look put together not thrown together. A pair of dark jeans paired with a blouse with pattern and a jacket can be paired with boots,flats,heels and tennis shoes. The first picture shows an example of the outfit I just described. Wear a nice fitting pair of jeans,a blouse and a denim jacket paired with a nice pair of flats. This outfit will give you confidence and still allow you to be on the floor playing with the kids. The second picture is a sample picture of the outfit that I described. You should also put on some make up. Your make up should be light and natural looking. Last but not least your hair should be styled and not always put up in a pony tail. If you dress for success that it will show through you and your daycare parents will defiantly notice.

 
BODY TYPE: Curvy and tall THE LOOK: Casual wear THE ...


BODY TYPE: Curvy and petite THE LOOK: Casual wear THE ...

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Journal entry 6

Page 66   Discussion Questions

1. The Mother's confidentiality code was violated when her child's records were transferred without her              permission and then discussed between then two directors and the teacher. Hanging the child's                      paperwork on the door is also a violation of the code.

2. The child's confidentiality code was violated when the teachers were talking about him to each other on          the playground.

3.The discussion between the two directors should not have discussed the child's medical disability or              behavior unless requested by the mother.

4. The mother should have been included in the meeting between the two directors.

5. The teacher and maybe even the mother should have sat down with the class and discussed the child's           disability so that the kids understood and didn't keep asking him questions.

6.Somethings that would have made Eric's transition into his new school easier would have been going over      the rules with the parents and Eric concerning lunches and stuffed animals. Having a discussion with the          kids about his disability so that there would be less questions and pointing.

7.The teacher's conversation at the restaurant was inappropriate. The conversation breaks the confidentiality    code of the teacher,students and students families.

8. The conversation could have happened in the staff lounge with the door closed if the conversation would       helped the child"s behavior being understood by the teacher directly involved with the children being             discussed.

9. As a director you should discuss the confidentiality code with your staff and any consequences that could       follow breaking the code.

10.  As a mother myself and a child care provider, I would not recommend leaving Eric in that school.

11.  Moving Eric again could be a little traumatizing for him but, leaving him in the new school could be more         traumatizing than moving him.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Journal entry 5

Staff Meeting Agenda

1. Assure that the vision is constantly passed on to other staff members at the meeting

     " Our mission is to create an educational and safe, where children can learn from and be motivated by                   their teachers while developing good self esteem.

2.Go over the monthly calender
     make sure all parties / activities are on the calender and that all supplies have been purchased for                        parties/activities.

3. Brain storm together on any behavioral issues and how to solve them


4.   Go over the fire escape plan and tornado shelter/evacuation plan

5. Discuss upcoming training for staff

6.  Introduce any new staff members


Staff meetings are important for:
              sharing information and opinions
              show support for each other
              make decisions
              determine rolls
             identify and analyze any problems
             

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Journal Entry 4

If someone approaches me without using my name it makes me feel annoyed unless the person dose not know my name. However, If they approach me without using my name and  they are not being negative I can over look the not using my name. When they give me the cold shoulder, especially when i .am trying to discuss something important irritates me. As well as when they will not make eye contact with me while I am having an important conversation with them.  As for someone approaching me with nothing but complaints, I have a daycare parent that does this all of the time. At first I used to always assure her that my goal is to help every child succeed.  I always tried to be sensitive to her concerns. I have always tried to be proactive in trying to make sure she had nothing to complain about. After seven months of having her as a daycare parent I have come to the conclusion that I can not keep her happy. She is one of those people that always has something to complain about. So, when she comes in everyday to pick her son up and she has new complaints I listen to her and tell her I will do whatever it takes to fix the "problem". Her husband is the total opposite of her. He comes in happy everyday and never complains about anything. In the beginning I used to lose sleep at night over her until I figured her out. Now I have no trouble sleeping due to her and her complaints.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Journal entry 3

 In chapter 2 i learned the 6 c's In communicating with your audience you must have clarity, consistency, and caring. You should avoid Confrontation, conflict, and carelessness. I also learned how to identify and use the three most important elements of good communication , how to identify and avoid  the three mistakes that can mess up good communication. The last thing I learned is real life scenarios and how to handle them from multiple perspectives.

Activity 2:1 (pg 18)
 Explain to the parents that the policy of the school is no peanut products. We have this policy because of food allergies. Some kids may have a severe allergic reaction by just coming in contact with another child who has eaten the peanut butter. Sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause.

Activity 2:2 (pg 19)
I would talk to the team member and explain that our policy is only one early Friday shift per month, However she may talk to the other coworkers one on one and see if they would be willing to give her their early Friday shifts.

Activity 2:1 (pg 22)
 Stay calm, Talk to her/him one on one. when you approach her/him let them know that you know they are used your lesson plan ideas by saying: I see you really liked my ideas, how about we work together next month and plan together.

Activity 2:2 (pg 23)
  I think we should all schedule a time that we can all discuss the situation. I appoligize for the incident and will keep a close eye on the child. If I had know about the incident I would have done first aid as needed and told you about it when you picked your child up. I will also talk to the parents of the other child. I will also talk to you child and tell them that they need to let me know when something like this happens.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Journal entry 2

  while reading chapter 1 I learned how to define the communication needs of my audiences, identify who my target audience is, how to convey the message I want to convey to them, and how to recognize the 10 most common pitfalls in effective communications and how I can avoid them.

ACTIVITY 1.1
     My target audience is:
     Families of my current students
     Co-Workers
     Potential Students and their families

ACTIVITY 1.2
In the situation of the child being bitten I would also notify the parents of the bitter and work with them on a solution.

ACTIVITY 1.3
My vision for my center is for it to be a thriving successful will respected child care center full to capacity.

My rates are very reasonable. I charge $50.00  a week less than the closest daycare in my  rural area.

I an an academically oriented center with a curriculum provided daily and adjusted to the abilities of each child.

I explain my polices and procedures when the parents interview/tour my facility. My policy is to get every child kindergarten ready with curriculum and educational videos and games.

My strengths are I have a family oriented environment with more one on one care. My center is also special needs accessible.

I areas I am improving is getting the parents more involved and to improve my curriculum.


Monday, August 19, 2013

Journal 1

I have printed out and read the class syllabus, class calender and class information.
My name is Melissa Headrick. I have two beautiful girls. Lori is 21 and getting married at the end of the month and Mercadez is a sophmore in high school. I am taking this course to further my career in early childhood education. I have worked in daycare/preschool for 21 years and have worked in the kids are of my church fer over 4 years now. I am hoping to become proficient if Microsoft as well as communicating with my daycare parents.

New Blog

I have just created my blog. I am a first time blogger. This is all new to me.