Conferences And Conference And/Or Assessment Forms

**kendallina** · 07-09-2013, 10:26 AM

I do conferences. Technically, I run a morning preschool, so the parents expect them, but really, I find them incredibly helpful, so I would do them regardless.

For me, the conferences take about 20-40 minutes and I usually will jot down a few notes beforehand. We talk about their development, socially and emotionally. We talk about kindergarten readiness stuff (colors, numbers, letters, following directions, etc). I also go over the state's preschool guidelines a little with them and talk about how we meet these while they're in preschool with me. It's pretty relaxed and I try to keep it informal and just a chat. I also make sure that I share something cute/funny/smart that their kid has done recently and something that we're working on. I ask for help from mom and dad if needed and also make sure I answer any questions for them. It's also a time that I try and get feedback from them, "were there any themes that Johnny liked in particular this year? Do you have any suggestions for..." That's basically it. I do have a portfolio that I do for each child, so some of this conversation happens while they're looking at pictures of their kiddo.

I have to say, that I sometimes kind of dread conferences (you know, it's just more people in my house/have to make sure the house is clean/ etc etc etc), but I always feel energized and so good about our conversations. It helps keep communication open and helps us feel so much more comfortable with each other. I always do a conference in Oct or Nov and sometimes do one in the spring for the parents that want one.

Not sure if that helps much, but that's how I do it.

**EntropyControlSpecialist** · 07-09-2013, 10:30 AM

I do not do conferences (I have only done 1 when I wanted a child to be evaluated), but I do send home assessments in December, March, and May for the year. I have all preschool aged children here and the parents like to see their child's progress documented.

**melilley** · 07-09-2013, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by kendallina

I do conferences. Technically, I run a morning preschool, so the parents expect them, but really, I find them incredibly helpful, so I would do them regardless.

For me, the conferences take about 20-40 minutes and I usually will jot down a few notes beforehand. We talk about their development, socially and emotionally. We talk about kindergarten readiness stuff (colors, numbers, letters, following directions, etc). I also go over the state's preschool guidelines a little with them and talk about how we meet these while they're in preschool with me. It's pretty relaxed and I try to keep it informal and just a chat. I also make sure that I share something cute/funny/smart that their kid has done recently and something that we're working on. I ask for help from mom and dad if needed and also make sure I answer any questions for them. It's also a time that I try and get feedback from them, "were there any themes that Johnny liked in particular this year? Do you have any suggestions for..." That's basically it. I do have a portfolio that I do for each child, so some of this conversation happens while they're looking at pictures of their kiddo.

I have to say, that I sometimes kind of dread conferences (you know, it's just more people in my house/have to make sure the house is clean/ etc etc etc), but I always feel energized and so good about our conversations. It helps keep communication open and helps us feel so much more comfortable with each other. I always do a conference in Oct or Nov and sometimes do one in the spring for the parents that want one.

Not sure if that helps much, but that's how I do it.

Do you know where to find the state's preschool guidelines?

**Blackcat31** · 07-09-2013, 10:43 AM

Originally posted by melilley

Do you know where to find the state's preschool guidelines?

Is this what you are looking for?

404 - Page Not Found

http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_6809-103343--,00.html

or maybe this http://www.teachingstrategies.com/co..._ALIGNMENT.pdf

Sorry, I am probably way off base but that's all I've got...

**melilley** · 07-09-2013, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by Blackcat31

Is this what you are looking for?

404 - Page Not Found

http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_6809-103343--,00.html

or maybe this http://www.teachingstrategies.com/co..._ALIGNMENT.pdf

Sorry, I am probably way off base but that's all I've got...

Sounds like it, but their site is messed up and the link doesn't work. Honestly, I have no idea what to look for. I have to do assessments on the kids and have conferences for the Stars program and all of my children are 2.5 and under so I'm not quite sure what to look for or what to use to assess them. It just says to show proof of an assessment tool used. I'm so confused!
Thank you though!

**daycarediva** · 07-09-2013, 11:02 AM

Originally posted by EntropyControlSpecialist

I do not do conferences (I have only done 1 when I wanted a child to be evaluated), but I do send home assessments in December, March, and May for the year. I have all preschool aged children here and the parents like to see their child's progress documented.

this, right down to the months the reports are sent home. :

:

**melilley** · 07-09-2013, 11:14 AM

Originally posted by EntropyControlSpecialist

I do not do conferences (I have only done 1 when I wanted a child to be evaluated), but I do send home assessments in December, March, and May for the year. I have all preschool aged children here and the parents like to see their child's progress documented.

If you don't mind, what assessment tool(s) do you use or do you make your own?

**Blackcat31** · 07-09-2013, 12:13 PM

Originally posted by melilley

Sounds like it, but their site is messed up and the link doesn't work. Honestly, I have no idea what to look for. I have to do assessments on the kids and have conferences for the Stars program and all of my children are 2.5 and under so I'm not quite sure what to look for or what to use to assess them. It just says to show proof of an assessment tool used. I'm so confused!
Thank you though!

Our state's Star rating system HIGHLY recommends that we use Teaching Strategies Gold for early childhood as one of the aligned curricula....they have an extensive (but easy) assessment method...

It might be worth looking into. http://www.teachingstrategies.com/pa...d-overview.cfm

**EntropyControlSpecialist** · 07-09-2013, 12:17 PM

Originally posted by melilley

If you don't mind, what assessment tool(s) do you use or do you make your own?

If you PM me your e-mail address I will attach the exact assessment I use to an e-mail and send it off to you.

**EntropyControlSpecialist** · 07-09-2013, 12:20 PM

Originally posted by Blackcat31

Our state's Star rating system HIGHLY recommends that we use Teaching Strategies Gold for early childhood as one of the aligned curricula....they have an extensive (but easy) assessment method...

It might be worth looking into. http://www.teachingstrategies.com/pa...d-overview.cfm

That looks neat. Do you have any idea about their pricing?

**Blackcat31** · 07-09-2013, 12:25 PM

Originally posted by EntropyControlSpecialist

That looks neat. Do you have any idea about their pricing?

Yeah, super expensive....

$199.95 for the assessment tool kit

Page not found - Teaching Strategies

http://www.teachingstrategies.com/page/73190-gold-assessment-toolkit.cfm

**originalkat** · 07-09-2013, 12:50 PM

I only do conferences for my Pre-K kids in October in order to set goals and help the parent gain a better understanding of where their child is in prep for KG. I fill out an assessment throughout the year and send them home in May. I personally hate doing them. Im not sure if the parents like them or not.:

: But I think its important especially for the older ones.

**daycare** · 07-09-2013, 12:52 PM

I have never done them. I was told that here in my State that we are not allowed to do them unless we have been educated and taught how......

I do them for my own records, but do not share the information with the parents...

Did you have to take a class to learn to do the assessments?>

**Blackcat31** · 07-09-2013, 01:02 PM

Originally posted by daycare

Did you have to take a class to learn to do the assessments?>

According to my state's QRIS (Parent Aware) star rating system, a provider MUST take a course on how to assess a child's progress.

They offer the class through them.

I took a complete 3 credit course called "Observation and Assessment" when earning my degree.

Conferences And Conference And/Or Assessment Forms

Conferences And Conference And/Or Assessment Forms

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment