Saturday, January 29, 2011

Preschool Curriculum

Curriculum

What is important in a Preschool Curriculum?  At Kangaroo Kids Child Care & Learning Center we believe that if children enjoy the process of learning it has lifelong benefits!  The preschool age is such an important window of opportunity in the learning process so make sure your child is in a program that values education and presents the material in a developmentally appropriate manner. 
  1. Curriculum should be stimulating, creative and developmentally appropriate so children are challenged but not frustrated.
  2. Curriculum should be individualized.  Children have different learning styles and the program should be designed to meet the needs of each individual.
  3. There should be a variety of hands on experiences.  Children learn by doing.
  4. Development of the total child should be taken into account.  All the domains of learning should be covered in the curriculum:  intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development.
  5. What constitutes Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum (DAP)?
    • Age appropriate activities
    • Hands on learning
    • Many opportunities for sensory experiences
    • Child-directed activities where children have choice.
  6. You should see evidence of planning, including a written educational philosophy, curriculum, and lesson plans.
  7.  You should see evidence of multicultural aspects to the curriculum.
  8. Outdoor play is crucial for a child’s development and there should be time spent outside every day.
  9. There should be an assessment system in place where portfolios are kept on each child documenting their learning and developmental milestones. 
  10. Artwork should allow children to express individual flair as opposed to a cookie cutter project where each one is identical.
  11. You should see children enjoying the process of learning.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

What Is Important in a Preschool Environment?

This is the 3rd in a 5 part series on Choosing a Preschool or Child Care Program for your child.  The most important aspect to consider when selecting a school is the staff.  See the blog, Choosing A Preschool – “Who is Teaching My Child? Making A Decision: What is Best of My Child?” for information on what to look when observing teachers.  The next topic was safety.  Today we will cover what to look for in the environment. 
The best environment for children is where they can function most of the day in small groups.  This environment provides children with many opportunities for choice and a variety of activities and experiences.  The environment can be a great tool for learning and a resource for information if it is print rich and has high quality materials easily accessible to children.
1.       The room should be set up in “centers” where children can chose varied activities.  For example, some of the centers you should see are a reading center, a science center, a dramatic play area, an art center.
2.       Children’s artwork should be displayed in manner pleasing to the eye.  This shows that the children’s work is respected and appreciated.
3.       There should be soft areas in the room where children can cuddle up with a good book.
4.       There should be high quality books available for children.
5.       The toys and materials should be age appropriate to avoid frustration or boredom.
6.       The younger the age group, the more important it is to have duplicate toys, as children are just learning to share.
7.       Shelves should be organized and well labeled.  Even toddlers can learn to be helpful in keeping their environment neat if the shelves are well labeled with pictorial labeling as well as words.  The added benefits are that children learn that they are competent individuals and that cooperation is important.  They also develop pride in a job well done.  Labeling also helps to facilitate their literacy experiences. 
8.        The environment should be Interesting and stimulating, without being overwhelming.
9.       Although there will be large group activities like circle time or morning meeting, most of the day children should be in small groups.  This gives them more time for quality interactions with the teachers and more opportunity for language experiences. 

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Is My Child's School Safe? Choosing A Preschool or Child Care

First and foremost, is the facility you are considering safe?  Here are some of the aspects you should consider regarding safety:
1.        The facility should be clean, bright and safe!  Look for or ask about these areas of safety:
          Is the facility secure from strangers?
          Are the doors secured, yet parents have free access?

2.         Are Emergency Plans and procedures posted?
          What are the emergency pick up procedures?
          Are there procedures notifying parents of early closing or weather delays?
          Do they conduct monthly fire drills? 
          Look for posted logs – schools are required to post a log of their fire drills.
          Are there Emergency Evacuation plans?  You may have to ask about this as some plans are confidential.  Schools should a plan even if they can’t divulge the specifics.

3.           Is the environment safe?
          Proper ratios are key to good supervision and safely monitoring children.  Infant rooms should have a maximum of 1 teacher to 4 children and preschool classes should have a maximum of 1 to 10. 
          Is there an open door policy?  Parents should be able to visit at anytime. 
          Are there viewing windows?
          Are all the electrical outlets covered?
          Are all hazardous materials, including medications, out of reach of children?

4.        Playground surface
          Is the playground surface soft?
          Is the playground area protected by a fence?
          Has the playground been inspected?
          Is there adequate and engaged supervision on the playground?

5.            Clean
          Is the facility clean?  A preschool facility is an active place and you may see a little paint on the floor or playdough on the tables, but the overall appearance of the facility should be clean.  If it is too sterile, you might question if developmentally appropriate activities are happening.
          Are children and teachers required to constantly wash their hands?
          How are toys cleaned?
          How often is the facility cleaned?

6.         Credentials
           All schools in NJ must be licensed; is the school licensed?
          Accreditation is the gold standard of quality; is the school accredited?
          All schools should be inspected by the fire inspector and health department.  Has the school been inspected?

7.         Health policies
          Are medical records kept on all children including current immunization records.
          Are there policies for dealing with sick children?
          Are there policies regarding giving children medications?

8.          Staff
          Is staff trained in CPR and First Aid for young children?
          How are staff credentials checked?
           Does the school require fingerprinting, Cari Check, references and health records?
           Do the teachers receiving ongoing training and continuing education opportunities?

Give Kangaroo Kids a call at 908-231-7800 or send an email if you would like to receive a checklist to use as you visit schools.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Who is Teaching My Child? Choosing A Preschool

Making a Decision:  What is Best for My Child?
Research indicates preschool education has many benefits for children.  In addition to exposure to curriculum including literacy experiences, mathematical concepts, and science activities, a high quality preschool gives children the opportunity to learn how to socialize, to share and to contribute to society.  Making a sound decision about early childhood education is a crucial for a successful start on your child’s lifelong educational journey and there are many aspects to evaluate:  teachers, curriculum, philosophies, safety, family partnerships, and environment.  So, how do you make the right choice?
In this part we will discuss what should be the deciding factor:  Teachers!  The adults who interact with your child on a daily basis are key to a positive experience for your child!  A warm hug to ease separation anxiety or, conversely, a stern raised eyebrow inappropriately can affect how children perceive themselves and also affect their trust in others.   Whether you are considering family care, a nanny, or a center-based program, the people who care for and educate your child are of the utmost importance.  Visit the prospective school and observe the teachers’ interactions with children.   You should see:

q  Teachers in engaged two-way conversations with children

q  Teachers interacting at the children’s eye level

q  Teachers who are warm, patient and friendly

q  Teachers using gentle voices and an encouraging manner

q  Teachers and children with lots of smiles and happy faces

q  A classroom filled with happy sounds

q  Teachers who are organized and prepared
q  Teachers giving children the opportunity to choose activities.

According to experienced preschool teacher Sandy Rodrigo, “If a child recognizes you by your knees, you are not doing your job!”  In other words, teachers should at the child’s level, sitting on the floor, and making eye contact. 


Watch to see if the teacher is actively listening, rather than pre-occupied or distracted with other events in the room, or being dismissive to a child.  During active listening you should see the teacher smile, nod, or acknowledge with her body posture she is interested in what the child has to say.  Active listening builds a child’s confidence and self worth.  Compare the spoken and unspoken interactions you see to those you would see in conversation between two adults who respect each other, and you should see similarities in body language, interest and intensity. 

The teacher should be organized and well prepared.  Children should have an opportunity to choose activities.  A well-prepared and organized teacher provides a role model of organized behavior for children.  Choosing their own activities enhances children’s decision-making skills and sends the message that they and their choices are worthy!  Making good decisions is a lifelong skill you want children to develop as early as possible so it carries them through their teenage years where their decision-making skills will constantly be tested.  

Good teachers are energetic.  They enjoy the process of teaching and engaging with children.   They look for teachable moments, whether it is a butterfly going by, a leaf falling, or a chance to teach positive social interactions.