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The Dreaded Day Doesn’t Have to Be: A guide to finding quality childcare

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

 

Lisa Boyd far right at an Academy event

Today’s GUEST blog is from Lisa M. Boyd, my mentor and friend!

My name is Lisa Boyd.  I am married and have 2 grown children and 3 grandchildren. I worked in the childcare industry for 27 years at all levels.  I loved being a teacher.  Everyday was different and never boring.  I usually learned more from them than they did from me.  The number one lesson we can learn from children in that of forgiveness.  If someone wrongs them, they get mad and they get over it. If  it could only be so with adults. In the latter years I was a Director, which was a whole new ballgame of challenges. Not only did I have to deal with children, but now their parents and caregivers. There are things that drove me crazy at times but I wouldn’t change many things that happened over the years. The largest lesson I learned in all my years was that to really be successful in life we should do as Christ instructed, “you must become as a little child.

 

 
 
What to Expect on Your Child’s First Day 
It is wise to allow an extra 30 minutes at drop off time on your child’s first day at preschool.  Upon arriving at the center or home, you and your child  should be greeted by the Director or another designated member of management. They should walk you through the drop off and pickup procedures for your childs age group.
 There should be happy noises in the morning,usually breakfast or snack may be occurring.   You should then be escorted to where your child will be at that time of the day. Take into consideration that preschoolers are often grouped together in early morning and late afternoons.  Infants and toddlers should never be grouped with older children.
Upon arriving at your childs classroom, you and your child should be greeted by the caregiver. At this time you will be shown where to place your childs belongings.(their name tag should already be in place)The caregiver should ask for any written instructions (generally for Infants and young toddlers) or any verbal instructions for the day.  A good caregiver will jot down the verbal to pass on to the next shift. 
Your child should be led to the group and introduced to the other children and led into the activity occuring at the time. It is always best to tell your child goodbye, never sneak away or your child may feel abandoned. You should expect a call from the Director sometime in the morning to let you know how things are going and the activities that occurred that morning.  The main caregiver should also give you a call after lunch. Be sure to call yourself anytime, it is just as hard on parents as it is on children when leaving each other for the first time.
At the end of the day, you should receive some type of progress report from your child’s caregiver.  Infants , toddlers and 2 yrs olds  should receive some type of care provided sheet to let you know about diapering and feeding times.  The main caregiver should write you a personal note about your child’s first day. 
The Director should be available to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your child’s first day.  We also must keep in mind that some times there is an adjustment period for some children. They may cry or have a tantrum depending on their age, but these go away in time. In all my years as a child care worker/Director , I never saw a child who did not adapt.
 

First…Go Inside: A guide to finding quality childcare

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 
 
Touring the Facility
 
By now, you’ve made the phone calls. You’ve asked questions and you’ve narrowed down your choices. It’s time to go to those scheduled appointments! Before you go, decide if you are going to bring your child with you. There are pros and cons to both.
 
1. Pro-If a director schedules a tour, she will (if she’s good) inform the teacher and have something prepared. A cool name tag, pencil, a treat bag to take home. The teacher will prepare the children (age appropriate) and they will make your child/children feel welcome.
 
2. Con- Your child may not engage immediately and therefore cling to you. If this happens, it’s going to be hard to really focus on what’s being said and remember all the questions you wanted to ask. It might be a good idea to not take the child to the first tour and then bring them on a day when you decide to “pop” in. I encourage you to definitely do this.
 
Whatever you decide, be on time!
Here’s a basic list of things to look for. You may have some that aren’t on the list. Great!
 
1. Is the office clean? Clutter free? Does it smell good? (Dirty diapers–gag)
2. Is anyone in the office when you arrive? Can you just waltz in without anyone knowing or even acknowledging you?
3. What does it sound like? Is it noisy? (it will be a little but happy noise and whining and crying–not the same)
4. Are you greeted warmly? Does the director remember she’s scheduled you? She should. Do other teachers acknowledge you and say hello as you walk through the facility on your way to the child’s room? Do they greet your child?
5. Are children happily engaged? Are there more crying than playing? What do their faces look like? Snot crusted? Food on their face? Shoes untied? (Get out!) Now, let me just say, you will see some runny noses and a shoe untied and if you go right after lunch some food, but it shouldn’t be a majority of the kids.
6. How does the teacher greet you? Is she friendly? Does she address the child? Does she engage him/her into the chilren’s activities allowing you time with the director/management? She should!
7. Listen for other teacher’s voices. Watch how they interact with the children. Do the children seem to enjoy being near them? Are toys everywhere? (The toddler room may be a little messier than preschool. It shouldnn’t be as cluttered.)
 
What to ask
1. Ask to see a lesson plan; do they follow it; do you get a weekly sheet and does it include what your child had for lunch; if appropriate do they get a potty or diaper sheet; how often do they change the children?
2. Ask what the discipline policy is. It should be age appropriate. (We’ll cover behavior in a future blog) Quickly though, infants, toddlers and two’s should always be redirected, although this is debated and you’re getting my opinion. Preschoolers- time out one minute per age. But even preschoolers can be redirected better than time out works. NO NO NO PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT. EVER. If you spank your child fine, but do it at home. Most regulations won’t even let you spank on site your own child! I’ve had parents tell me, “Close your eyes, for about one minute!” 🙂
3. Ask for a schedule and all policies. Do they close under severe weather and how does that effect the weekly price; Do you get free days? Vacation days? When is payment due? Is there a late pick up policy? (Please don’t be one of those!) Is there a late payment fee? (Yes.) Do they have cameras?
4. Ask to see the curriculum if the director doesn’t offer to show it to you, but she should. Ask about napping procedures. Ask for the menu and what is the rule about snacks being brought in.
5. And yes, ask if you can see the bathrooms and the playground (the director will probably offer to show you the playground anyway…kids love it. It generally seals the deal if you have a good one-to the child anyway) Seriously. Take a look. (Poor directors are now shaking in their boots right…what if that little boy missed the target and then you walk in! Sorry!)
 
Share
If your child has any type of special needs, now is the time to see if that facility can accomodate them. Allergies, illnesses, medications. Get a medication policy. Who administers medicine? Do you get a sign off sheet?
If your child sleeps or not…tell them. Anything you think is important make sure and tell them!
 
Notes
Your child may act shy and hang on your leg even with coaxing and encouragement from you and the teacher to engage in activities. It’s okay! It doesn’t mean they hate the place. It’s an adjustment for everyone. Give it time.
 
When you walk out of there, make sure you have in your hands all of their policies and pricing info., a buisness card, a menu, and if they have weekly connection sheets–get one. And go with your gut. Your looking for a place where you feel at home, where your child will feel comfortable, a happy place with happy teachers and smiling kids (for the most part). 
Hope this helps! Directors/Teachers, if I missed anything feel free to add to it!
 
Tomorrow a guest blog by Former Director Lisa Boyd!
 

Love in Winter

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 
 
The young girl bundled up and went out into the cold bitter wind, like she did everyday.  It was a long walk to the shoe factory where she toiled hard each day in order to make a few dollars a week to help her mama raise four other little girls.  She wasn’t much older than thirteen.
 
Each morning she would walk by a hat shop.  In the window were many beautiful hats displayed in every color and design.  She loved hats.  Every Friday afternoon as she would pass by that shop she would sigh and dream of owning just one of them.  She would wonder what it would feel like resting on her head of dark hair.  A crown maybe? She would put her hands deep into her old tattered wool coat pockets and feel the little bit of money she had labored all week for, close her eyes and wish just once she could use that money to buy something she desired.
 
Instead she would come home to four little sisters.  She would do laundry, feed the horses, get supper ready, bathe the girls and get them to bed, and then tidy the house before mama would come home from working her job all day long.  She wondered where her daddy might be, he had been gone so long… and then she would dream of the hats.
 
Her mama dreamed as well.  She dreamed life wouldn’t be difficult and unfair, that she wouldn’t have to raise five little girls alone, that her husband would have never left and that he would have loved her. She dreamed that her oldest daughter wouldn’t have had to grow up so quickly and work in a shoe factory she hated and that those few dollars she carefully placed into her palm each week could be spent on hats—but they were only dreams. If only…
 
Late one afternoon the little girl came home and on the table was a box.  A round box.  Her heart began to skip a beat.  She had seen the boxes before…in the hat shop by the shoe factory. 
 
Her mama came into the room and smiled.  “Open the box, Dorothy.” 
 
The little girl opened up the box and inside was the most beautiful hat.  She hurried and put it on and danced around the room.  Suddenly she stopped and looked at her mama with wide green eyes.  “How,” she asked in a concerned whisper.
 
Her mama’s smile was tired as she replied, “It doesn’t matter how, let me worry ‘bout that… it’s a gift”.
 
This little girl was my late grandmother, Dorothy, and I’m writing a memory of hers to share with you this holiday season.  Giving the sweetest gifts comes with sacrifice.  I don’t know how my great grandmother saved the money to buy that hat or what the cost, but I know it was a great sacrifice.  I know as she watched my grandmother dance about in the beautiful hat, she was receiving as great a gift– making it all worth the while.
 
Jesus gave the greatest, sweetest gift…salvation…which came at a great sacrifice–Himself. When we accept His beautiful gift, He sees us dance with freedom. Like my grandmother’s hat. A helmet of salvation.
 
I believe, just like my great grandmother, He smiles and says, “Don’t worry about the cost, let Me…it’s a gift.”
 
May this Holiday season remind you of the greatest gift given to us and the sacrifice that was involved. May you dance with grateful hearts full of joy around the room and may you have a very blessed Christmas season!
 
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

Who’s going to keep my baby!? A guide to finding quality childcare

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
“I don’t want to leave my baby!”
How many times over the last decade have I heard that! How many times lately have I heard that? A LOT. I couldn’t begin to count. 
I’ve had over a decade of experience working with children in a corporate childcare setting. I started young as the infant teacher, went through training and state credentialed programs to move all the way to the Academy director. I’ve seen it all. More than my share in fact. I’ve seen the good. I’ve seen the bad and the ugly to be cliche. I’ve laughed. I’ve cried. I’ve been fit to be tied.
I’m also a parent.  I’ve been a parent with a child “raised” in the center and I’ve been a parent who’s had the opportunity to be a stay at home mom.  I’ve helped family members and friends find the “right” childcare center for them.
The childcare industry is tough. Being a parent trying to find a center–equally as tough.
So, I thought I’d bring what I know to you. Maybe it will help you find a center, run from one, find a job or humor you in the very least if you’re a teacher/director—maybe even help you improve in your classroom or facility.
Not only will I bring you what I know, but you’ll get to hear from some other professionals in the business. Respectable ladies some with more years on their belts and some with less, but all with great insight!
Finding childcare is scary! Especially in the times we’re in and with everything we see on the news. What’s a good fit for you? In home? Mom and Pops? Corporate?
How do I find a good childcare center? The telephone tour.
First of all, as a “green” parent inquiring of childcare, make phone calls! What does the person answering sound like? How many rings does it take to answer? Is she friendly? Is she hurried? What do you hear in the background? Is it quiet? (it won’t always be if you call while the director’s watching a class or cooking) Noise can be good and it can sound loud. Question is who’s louder the adult or the children? You can tell the difference between happy noise and unhappy.  If she’s busy with kids, she may ask to call you back. This doesn’t mean she doesn’t care. It means she can’t hear you and she’s smart! Nothing is more frustrating than trying to ask questions about the most important step you’ll be making only to hear, “What? Huh? Say that again? Johnny, honey go play I’m on the phone.”
 Get the name of who you are talking to, their position, and ask a few questions. Most teachers don’t answer the phone—management does, but occasionally it will happen. I usually designated the infant teacher to handle a call if no one was available but me and I needed to run to the restroom. Believe it or not, the infant room really is the quietest! I also trained her in what to say and how to retrieve information so I could return a call. (BTW, if you don’t receive a call back by the end of the business day unless specified that the call would be the next day don’t bother touring. There’s no room to forget to call a customer who needs the greatest service ever. That’s my personal opinion.)
As a parent be curious to how teachers interact with you over the phone, but remember teachers aren’t always as informed as the director or management. How they tell you that makes a difference. No one wants to hear this, “Could you tell me what you charge for an infant?”
“Uh, no. It’s expensive though. Want me to have someone call you?”
NO!  Hang up!
“Could you tell me what you charge for infants?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t have that information in front of me. Could I please take your name and number and have my director, (name) call you back.”
YES!
When you do get a hold of the director she may ask you to come and see the facility—at a scheduled time. This is okay. She wants to be able to spend time with you and your child! She’s not necessarily “hiding” anything. Childcare directors wear many hats. They stay running all the time! Sometimes, when a teacher calls in, the director wears the teacher hat and touring you isn’t going to happen at that moment! Even if you pop in unexpectedly and she’s in a class, she may ask you to come back when she can be free to give you undivided attention. This is okay too.  Been there…done that!
However, ALL centers should have an open door policy and popping in is okay to do after the initial scheduled tour (or anytime, but you can’t be guaranteed the time and attention you’ll get if you schedule a tour). I encourage you to do that—pop in later! What’s going on when everyone DOESN’T know you’re coming?
Make a list of centers you’ve called with the questions you’ve asked and answers. Some good questions to ask over the phone is:
  1. Do you have childcare availability?
  2. What is the state teacher/child ratio? Do you follow that ratio or do you keep a lower ratio? (Some centers especially non-profit keep lower teacher/child ratios. It’s a plus but it doesn’t mean a state followed teacher/child ratio isn’t as good.) How many children are in the classroom and how many teachers or caregivers?
  3. What is your full time rate? Part time? Does this include meals/snacks?
  4. What curriculum do you use? (If they charge big bucks…they better give you a bang for it!)
Let me make a note here…good schools use curriculum. It’s a learning center. If they don’t use curriculum and they simply say, “We teach them stuff.” It’s not a learning center. If you just want a place for your child to play then this might appeal to you. But most parents want their children to learn something while they’re gone all day!
These few questions will give you an idea if you want to tour or not. Write them down and compare answers with other centers. (All ratios should be the same as it’s a state mandate unless they specify they use lower.)
Schedule your tour. Good directors will make appointments and add you can come anytime though. They want you to feel comfortable popping in, but want you to be aware that they also want quality time to spend with you.
Have you had any nightmare stories when making phone calls or really great experiences? Teachers, Directors…any other advice to offer parents on the “phone tours?” Have any questions about phone touring that wasn’t covered? Just ask!
Next blog…what to look for when you visit the center for a tour.

What’s In Your Basket?

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
A Cornucopia: Horn of Plenty

 

 
It’s that time of year when we see that strange looking basket with fruits in it. Our children will bring home cut outs and colored pages of it. A cornucopia. It means horn of plenty. Abundance. Inside it is filled with overflowing fruit. This holiday season I think of our Horn of Salvation…Jesus Christ (Luke 1:69; Psalm 18:2) Because of Him we can live lives of abundance (2 Corinthians 9:8). Abundant lives so that we can abound in every good work, overflowing with fruit! During this Thanksgiving season, as we give praise and thanks for what we have, we should also examine ourselves and ask God, “Am I overflowing with fruit?” Even a child is known by his fruit whether it is good or bad. Are we abiding in Him–the Horn of Salvation? Abiding in Him bears much fruit! Maybe you need pruning…I’m always in need of it. I don’t necessarily like the process but I know it’s for my own good. During all the hustle and bustle I pray you’ll get with God and take inventory! Get rid of what shouldn’t be there and make room for sweet fruit! Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Be safe and enjoy the time with family and friends!

Where you are matters!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

I’ve noticed the last few days that The Word for you Today devotions are really speaking to me personally. Ever had that happen?

Especially with everything going on in my life at the moment, I couldn’t hear these things at a better time. I hope you’re encouraged by the small excerpt.

“God’s plans for your life always involve your gifts,His timing and being in the right place. But 3 things can keep that from happening: fear of failing, unwillingness to leave your comfort zone, and being swayed by the opinions of others…Where you are matters!”

Wow! If you’re a writer, I’m not sure how this doesn’t apply to you! 🙂

I’m working on looking at failure as a bump in the road on my way to where I’m going. In just a few months, I’m about to get real uncomfortable (I’m already feeling the effects), but RISK is something we have to take–especially when we know God is calling us somewhere! Where we are matters!

What about you? What keeps you from taking risks?

A small moment with Myles

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Myles laid on the couch, whimpering over a rotten headache he had while watching Tom and Jerry. After several minutes, he sat up and asked, “Hey, Mom, are you going to have another baby boy?”

I half laughed, half snorted, “No.”

“Another baby girl?”

“No more babies, Myles.” I tried to get back to reading an interesting blog by an aspiring author.

“Well why not,” he asked slightly irritated.

“I have all I need. Why do you ask?”

“Well,” he sighed, “everyone’s doin’ it.”

As if having babies is a trend! Have a great weekend everyone and I leave you with a quote from The Word for Today devotional.

“Every accomplishment starts with a decision.,,Unless you’re willing to take prayed-over, carefully-considered and well-advised risks, you’re not operating in faith. And ‘without faith it is impossible to please God…’ Heb. 11:6. It means putting all your eggs in God’s basket (don’t worry, He won’t drop them!). When you step out in faith, God moves and extraordinary things happen.”

It was definitely the word I needed for today! See you Monday!

Urban Translation Thursday!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

“What is TTYL,” asked my husband when he looked at my tween daughter’s artwork. She and I laughed hysterically and told him Talk To You Later. Times are a changing, my friends, and if you want to keep up, you gotta go with it!

I happen to love new words and meanings. So Thursday will be dedicated to urban lingo. Today’s words are:

bomb dot com :

another way to express when something is awesome/cool/amazing.
 
party foul:
something socially unacceptable done in a social setting
 
head splinter:
A painfully annoying song that gets stuck in your head, in extreme cases, impeding everyday tasks.
 
Have you ever heard these words before? Try and use all three of these words in a sentence. Let’s see what you got! Oh, and when you go to work tomorrow, or school, or wherever, I dare you to use them in your conversation just for fun!

There’s no turning back!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

I was sharing with a friend of mine about a leadership retreat that I had to go on as the Academy Director for a Corporate Childcare center I worked for. I had to go alone. I knew no one and I was terrified with no way out of going!

I made it. I didn’t miss any of my connecting flights (which had me in a small state of panic) and I arrived in beautiful Colorado–in January and in one piece.

We had to do many outdoor excercises as well as indoor lectures. One in particular stood out and it was this one I shared with my friend (right before Phil Wickham and Mercy Me took it away at a concert!).

Our facilitators took us out on a bus to the middle of nowhere, blind folded us and then put helmets on us! What? Why do I need a helmet? Now, for all the southerners let me just tell you about the three feet of snow and air so cold that tiny icicles hung from your nose hairs! (eew I know but you need to understand this)

They guided us, blindly, and then put our gloved hands on a rope. In a whisper they said, “Now go.”
That was it!? Go where? I don’t even know where I am! My thoughts raced but then I realized–I may not know where I’m going, but I know I’m ultimately safe and I slowly began my adventure to somewhere.

I could hear women crunching snow all around me and then I heard a woman sobbing. I remember thinking, how could she be this afraid? We’re safe. But she was terrified.

Then I came to a point where one rope crossed over another and then another and another!

Decision time.

Do I change course? Do I keep hanging on to what was placed in my hands? I didn’t know if it was a timed excercise or not. But instinct told me…I don’t have forever. Keep moving. Go! I held fast to the rope that had been placed in my hands and I followed it…until it came to a dead end.

I could feel the tree right in front of me. I could hear water running nearby and I could still hear the woman– weeping in the distance. Now what? Do I go back?

I stayed. I sat down in the freezing cold, in the bank of snow and I sat silently as women scrambled around, bumped into one another and some even giggled and laughed…and the one woman never stopped sobbing.

It was then that I felt my own tears run down my cheeks.  I realized that God had given me the free gift of salvation…a helmet… and in my hand was destiny, purpose, a plan. A race to run. A place to go. And I went. Where it would end…a mystery.

I was unsure, but ultimately–I was safe. And the woman weeping made my heart cry. She felt alone. Afraid. She didn’t realize that she was safe. She was being watched by someone who could see the course laid out. Someone who wouldn’t let her fall into that abyss.

I learned a lot about myself and my faith in that simple excercise. I learned to keep going until the very end. There is no stopping.

Take the plan of God for your life and go…go…go. Go blindly. You’re protected! Ultimately, you are safe!  At the end, the blindfold comes off and all the things you couldn’t see becomes clear.

I couldn’t help that sobbing woman who was afraid during that excercise, but in the kingdom race I know that I can! So can you!