How Many Stars Do You Have

[jojosmommy]

I agree. The last meeting I went to about it, even our state instructors were rolling their eyes about it. The one training session was about the children brushing their teeth. You get more points if they brush their teeth in the morning. Someone asked, well when are the parents going to be responsible for their own children in the morning? They can't make sure they brush their teeth

This is it for me right here. You "get more points if".... I do not and will not do things intentionally just to get a higher rating. I am not going to re-work my program, philosophy, entire house, routine etc just to add in things like tooth brushing so it LOOKS GOOD to some no mind at the state. This is teaching to the test people. I do not brush my kids teeth because I only accept parents who are responsible enough to understand the importance of teeth brushing and that my job is not to replace them as parents but instead to use my stregths in more appropriate ways. Brush their teeth at head start, those parents need help with that life skill and besides head start in my state is automatically rated at the top when in reality I wouldnt drop off my dog there. And he actually needs his teeth brushed

[mom2many]

I have not gone through the process yet. As I understand I could have 4 stars but I rec'd my dual license teaching degree in EC and Family Ed in 2007 which is more than the 5 yr mark so I have to take more classes to get a good rating. And unless they pay off the 30 K I took out in loans in 07 to get those two teaching licenses I could care less about the star system.

I think the whole thing is BS. And I don't know of any parents who are going to give a rip enough to look into it anyway.

I find it interesting how I have heard it said by many that, "Education is the one thing NO ONE can take away from you." However, in this situation you will have to go back and take more classes, because your degree was not earned recent enough. They are basically saying it was all for nothing, if it doesn't count anymore.

[Blackcat31]

Recently, I have been bombarded with calls from the folks implementing the star rating system in my state.

I ahve to wonder why are they pushing so hard for may participation? What is in it for them if I participate?

The gal from my district is coming tomorrow to my house to personally give me and orientation to the system and answer any questions I have.....

Why the personal attention? Kinda makes me wonder, but I am willing to listen and ask questions so we will see.

(Anyone in MN that has any specific questions, let me know and I will ask tomorrow and let you know.)

[Country Kids]

Recently, I have been bombarded with calls from the folks implementing the star rating system in my state.

I ahve to wonder why are they pushing so hard for may participation? What is in it for them if I participate?

The gal from my district is coming tomorrow to my house to personally give me and orientation to the system and answer any questions I have.....

Why the personal attention? Kinda makes me wonder, but I am willing to listen and ask questions so we will see.

(Anyone in MN that has any specific questions, let me know and I will ask tomorrow and let you know.)

We are actually going to have "coaches" that will help us with this. Another person to come into my house and mess things up!

[Heidi]

Recently, I have been bombarded with calls from the folks implementing the star rating system in my state.

I ahve to wonder why are they pushing so hard for may participation? What is in it for them if I participate?

The gal from my district is coming tomorrow to my house to personally give me and orientation to the system and answer any questions I have.....

Why the personal attention? Kinda makes me wonder, but I am willing to listen and ask questions so we will see.

(Anyone in MN that has any specific questions, let me know and I will ask tomorrow and let you know.)

In Wisconsin, many of the R & R's and WECA are getting $ to help implement the program. So...there's your answer....

[Blackcat31]

In Wisconsin, many of the R & R's and WECA are getting $ to help implement the program. So...there's your answer....

Ah ha, it's about the money Should have figured.

[sharlan]

With CA being so broke and licensing stretched thin, I wonder where they're getting the funding to do this.

[Meeko]

Teeth brushing??? We already have to make sure they have their shots and WE have to keep the records or WE get fined. What's next?

How about they take the stupid amount of money they are spending on this program and teach parents how to actually parent?

[Heidi]

With CA being so broke and licensing stretched thin, I wonder where they're getting the funding to do this.

its federal money..."race to the top"

[kitykids3]

In WI though, we also get the $500 grant to improve our programs when we work with a consultant. I am not going to pass that up - $500 each year. Last year that got me a nice daycare table, chairs and a $250 set of wooden unit blocks I have been wanting for years.

As far as the 'formal' education goes, why should those that have one, took the work and money to get one, be considered at the same rating as someone who hasn't? I'm not saying that is the only determining factor in a quality program, or even the most important, but there is something to have been gained from having a BS degree in education. There are child development classes, etc. etc., you don't get from the continuing education classes or entry level classes.

I got an email a couple weeks ago stating that they are offering free credit earning classes to 2 star centers. Kind of made me upset that I am paying off $50K for my degree that I got before opening (and took 6 years) and which has attributed to my 4 stars, yet others are going to get some of those classes for free just because they haven't done it on their own yet. Where is that right? So they can become equal rating with me in a few years with a handout. So that everyone is equal? Then why have a rating system? Why did I go to school?

I think most importantly, parents have the right to choose which care situation works best for them, but many of them don't know about the little things that add up to quality care, or get to see them.

Luckily my clients see the quality here and pass the word on so I can continue mostly word of mouth. They see it without even knowing about the rating. I wish all parents could determine the quality of center with no input from others, but it unfortunately doesn't work that way,

Brushing teeth, I do after lunch, but devil's advocate here - what if the parents don't feed breakfast at home, so the first food of the day is at your house? Wouldn't it be better for them to brush their teeth then, rather than before eating anything? I would think so. Plus it is not just getting the teeth clean, it is teaching them to take care of their bodies.

Plus, even though we wish and think it is the parents' responsibility to do such things, we all know, it doesn't always work like that, and then it is the kids who get shortchanged.

OK, you can all shoot me now.

[Crystal]

In WI though, we also get the $500 grant to improve our programs when we work with a consultant. I am not going to pass that up - $500 each year. Last year that got me a nice daycare table, chairs and a $250 set of wooden unit blocks I have been wanting for years.

As far as the 'formal' education goes, why should those that have one, took the work and money to get one, be considered at the same rating as someone who hasn't? I'm not saying that is the only determining factor in a quality program, or even the most important, but there is something to have been gained from having a BS degree in education. There are child development classes, etc. etc., you don't get from the continuing education classes or entry level classes.

I got an email a couple weeks ago stating that they are offering free credit earning classes to 2 star centers. Kind of made me upset that I am paying off $50K for my degree that I got before opening (and took 6 years) and which has attributed to my 4 stars, yet others are going to get some of those classes for free just because they haven't done it on their own yet. Where is that right? So they can become equal rating with me in a few years with a handout. So that everyone is equal? Then why have a rating system? Why did I go to school?

I think most importantly, parents have the right to choose which care situation works best for them, but many of them don't know about the little things that add up to quality care, or get to see them.

Luckily my clients see the quality here and pass the word on so I can continue mostly word of mouth. They see it without even knowing about the rating. I wish all parents could determine the quality of center with no input from others, but it unfortunately doesn't work that way,

Brushing teeth, I do after lunch, but devil's advocate here - what if the parents don't feed breakfast at home, so the first food of the day is at your house? Wouldn't it be better for them to brush their teeth then, rather than before eating anything? I would think so. Plus it is not just getting the teeth clean, it is teaching them to take care of their bodies.

Plus, even though we wish and think it is the parents' responsibility to do such things, we all know, it doesn't always work like that, and then it is the kids who get shortchanged.

OK, you can all shoot me now.

Thank you. Very well said. I agree with you.

[lovemykidstoo]

Teeth brushing??? We already have to make sure they have their shots and WE have to keep the records or WE get fined. What's next?

How about they take the stupid amount of money they are spending on this program and teach parents how to actually parent?

Exactly. The class I took was called "Healthy teeth, Healthy smiles". There is no way I'm going to get 6 kids in my 1/2 bath every morning and have them brush their teeth just to add a notch to my belt. Not to mention that the bathroom that the kids use in my house is small, (toilet and sink), so then I have to use up my own personal space storing all of the toothbrushes, toothpaste, cups etc. Like you said, parents be parents, brush your kids teeth at home. Makes me so mad that we have to wipe parents butts sometimes.

BC, it's ALL about the money. You don't think these programs are really doing it for the sake of the kids do ya? Our gov't is broke as it is, why are we spending so much money on ridiculous things.

This is the direct listing on my state's rating page for teeth brushing.

"Early Childhood Educator has a plan that supports maintenance and improvement of children's health -- A regular oral care routine, including tooth brushing and/or gum wiping (for infants) at least once per day."

[lovemykidstoo]

Also, I have an Associate's Degree in business, but I guess I don't get any "points" because it's not in early childhood.



"Early Childhood Educator has at least a CDA appropriate to age served.


Early Childhood Educator has at least an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.


Early Childhood Educator has at least a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field."

[lovemykidstoo]

Okay, this is the last one I"ll post, but the more I re-read my state's info, the more mad I get. I wonder do we all have the same requirements/questions for the rating system? This is another one. I wonder if they know I'm an in-home daycare licensed for 6 and not an elementary school. This is the question:

Early Childhood Educator has evidence of family engagement and involvement -- Early Childhood Educator engages in formal communication (i.e., parent/teacher conferences, home visits) to inform parents of children's developmental progress.

Seriously? In-home visits? parent/teacher conferences? HUH?

[Heidi]

In WI though, we also get the $500 grant to improve our programs when we work with a consultant. I am not going to pass that up - $500 each year. Last year that got me a nice daycare table, chairs and a $250 set of wooden unit blocks I have been wanting for years.

As far as the 'formal' education goes, why should those that have one, took the work and money to get one, be considered at the same rating as someone who hasn't? I'm not saying that is the only determining factor in a quality program, or even the most important, but there is something to have been gained from having a BS degree in education. There are child development classes, etc. etc., you don't get from the continuing education classes or entry level classes.

I got an email a couple weeks ago stating that they are offering free credit earning classes to 2 star centers. Kind of made me upset that I am paying off $50K for my degree that I got before opening (and took 6 years) and which has attributed to my 4 stars, yet others are going to get some of those classes for free just because they haven't done it on their own yet. Where is that right? So they can become equal rating with me in a few years with a handout. So that everyone is equal? Then why have a rating system? Why did I go to school?

I think most importantly, parents have the right to choose which care situation works best for them, but many of them don't know about the little things that add up to quality care, or get to see them.

Luckily my clients see the quality here and pass the word on so I can continue mostly word of mouth. They see it without even knowing about the rating. I wish all parents could determine the quality of center with no input from others, but it unfortunately doesn't work that way,

Brushing teeth, I do after lunch, but devil's advocate here - what if the parents don't feed breakfast at home, so the first food of the day is at your house? Wouldn't it be better for them to brush their teeth then, rather than before eating anything? I would think so. Plus it is not just getting the teeth clean, it is teaching them to take care of their bodies.

Plus, even though we wish and think it is the parents' responsibility to do such things, we all know, it doesn't always work like that, and then it is the kids who get shortchanged.

OK, you can all shoot me now.

In my case, I 100% beleive you should get points for having a degree. In fact, I am working on mine now under TEACH. What I don't agree with is that one CANT get 5 stars without a degree. My personal belief is that the point system should be set up that it's only based on points, so if you earn 33 points, you are a 5 star, not if you earn 33 points but don't have a degree, you are a 3 star. KWIM?

I think the education component should absolutely count towards your points, just not so heavily that a non-degreed provider can't be a 4 or 5 star.

Right now, a provider can do EVERYTHING right...health and safety, environment, have a great curriculum, plan "intentionally", have great interactions, have a fantastic business plan and budget, have health insurance and solid contracts, etc, and still only be 3 stars because...no degree. She may have had 1000's of hours of continuing ed over the years (like I did), but since it's not "formal" training, it doesn't count.

I can honestly tell you that so far during my associates degree program, I have not learned a SINGLE thing that I did not already know, from all my continuing ed and my own experience, and I have not changed anything about my program based on my education. Still, I had enough points to be a 4 star program (26), but chose to hold off on the formal rating until they get the "kinks" out, so this next year, I will be either 4 or 5 star, depending on if I get my courses done this spring.