Quality Rating and Improvement System

[Annalee]

I completely agree BC! And I have been told that by regulators in my area... Bottom line it is all so scary for our youth!!
I also worked at a center- I HATED it! The kids were led around like cattle with a one fits all approach. With the numbers there was no choice. I will never work in a center again. It isn't for me.
If I am pushed out of family care I will nanny or go in a diff direction.

FCC offers so much for children.....but the powers that be don't realize they CAN learn academically as well while growing socially in our learning environments. This is something FCC has been fighting in our state since 2002...been to countless meetings on the state level and we are getting NOWHERE!!!! It is wayyyy toooooo political!!!!

[Laurel]

You are right about measuring the surfacing (pea gravel/mulch, etc.) under climbers outside that are over 12 inches. Grass doesn't count for surfacing in my state!

I personally have pea gravel with NO climbers anymore because it had to be 6 inches deep in every area. Even if they measured 10 places and it was 6 inches but one spot had 5 1/2, then I would be discredited. Therefore, I just removed all climbers and offer gross motor play another way.

It is a nightmare for sure!!!! Like I stated earlier, I score well but the negativity surrounding the assessment makes me crazy!!! Looks to me llike the state could find a much better way to spend tax dollars.

Wow, some have said that they think it is a ploy to make in-home child care fail and just have centers. I don't see that really. I see it as the government (or whoever) thinking they are improving things but going over the top and being overzealous.

I think I remember hearing that they have 20 steps for diaper changing. I can't even think of 20 possible steps for diaper changing and if I took the time to do 20 things what would I do with the other babies?

What a pain. Sorry you have to do it.

Laurel

[Blackcat31]

FCC offers so much for children.....but the powers that be don't realize they CAN learn academically as well while growing socially in our learning environments. This is something FCC has been fighting in our state since 2002...been to countless meetings on the state level and we are getting NOWHERE!!!! It is wayyyy toooooo political!!!!

But WHY do the kids HAVE to learn anything "academic" before age 5?

What PROOF is there that early education has any LASTING benefit for kids?

Child learn when developmentally ready and although there are countless people (providers, parents and teachers) that will say that kids CAN learn to read, do math, science etc before Kindergarten, WHY should they?

Why can't kids just be kids? Why can't the goals for kids birth-age 5 simply be healthy eating, healthy sleep habits, great social skills, responsibility, empathy, independence, and a good strong bond with their primary caregivers.

ABC's, 123's and observations and assessments don't HAVE to be part of early childhood.

[Laurel]

.....because ideally the state does not want family providers in business.

They want child care providers with a minimum of a CDA, a 2 yr and/or 4 yr degree to operate a child care in the same fashion as Head Start.

They do not want in-home providers to be in business anymore.

I've heard people say that but don't know what they base it on. How would one know this and what would be the advantage to the state? They still have to inspect the Head Start like programs I would think.

Laurel

P.S. I typed this before I read all the comments so it may have been stated. I'll go back and read them when I can.

[Cradle2crayons]

But WHY do the kids HAVE to learn anything "academic" before age 5?

What PROOF is there that early education has any LASTING benefit for kids?

Child learn when developmentally ready and although there are countless people (providers, parents and teachers) that will say that kids CAN learn to read, do math, science etc before Kindergarten, WHY should they?

Why can't kids just be kids? Why can't the goals for kids birth-age 5 simply be healthy eating, healthy sleep habits, great social skills, responsibility, empathy, independence, and a good strong bond with their primary caregivers.

ABC's, 123's and observations and assessments don't HAVE to be part of early childhood.

Totally agree and at my sons first kindy parent conference his teacher and I talked about that. He started kindy and he was barely 5. I never did an official curriculum with him at home. He learned by doing. He of course knew all his colors, letters, numbers etc. but I never taught him to read, add, spell colors, sight words etc. I didn't want him to be bored in kindy. Instead I focused on social, health, how to participate within a. Group and society. His teacher was like wow he's so smart and he's learned everything so quick. I said that's great I never taught him that stuff though. She said he was the most kind child in her class. So helpful and thoughtful. And she said he arrived there perfectly prepared to be TAUGHT. And she wished all her kindy kids arrived like that.

I was a proud mama but that just proved my point. He never had preschool. Never had FORMAL learning. But he was PREPARED for kindy because he was ready to learn, his teacher didn't have to spend half the day getting him to be quiet and participate. She said she spends half her school day, every day, just getting kids to quit bothering others, follow the class rules,e tc etc.

[Heidi]

But WHY do the kids HAVE to learn anything "academic" before age 5?

What PROOF is there that early education has any LASTING benefit for kids?

Child learn when developmentally ready and although there are countless people (providers, parents and teachers) that will say that kids CAN learn to read, do math, science etc before Kindergarten, WHY should they?

Why can't kids just be kids? Why can't the goals for kids birth-age 5 simply be healthy eating, healthy sleep habits, great social skills, responsibility, empathy, independence, and a good strong bond with their primary caregivers.

ABC's, 123's and observations and assessments don't HAVE to be part of early childhood.

Mrs. Steinel's house shared this on FB:

http://www.examiner.com/article/pushing-preschoolers-at-what-cost

My favorite line:
"If our children are struggling academically, it does not make sense to make them do more of the same things that are failing them and from a younger age."

If what we're doing is failing, then simply doing the same thing earlier is NOT going to fix anything.

[Annalee]

But WHY do the kids HAVE to learn anything "academic" before age 5?

What PROOF is there that early education has any LASTING benefit for kids?

Child learn when developmentally ready and although there are countless people (providers, parents and teachers) that will say that kids CAN learn to read, do math, science etc before Kindergarten, WHY should they?

Why can't kids just be kids? Why can't the goals for kids birth-age 5 simply be healthy eating, healthy sleep habits, great social skills, responsibility, empathy, independence, and a good strong bond with their primary caregivers.

ABC's, 123's and observations and assessments don't HAVE to be part of early childhood.

I agree with you black cat....I am all for kids being kids.....the state here, however feels that social skills i.e. following directions, problem-solving, interaction with peers,etc. are NOT important. My point is that they are learning academically through play and interaction, ...but the state doesn't see the importance of these life skills that will benefit the children in future academically.

[Blackcat31]

Here some other threads about this, universal preschool and the evolution of early education.

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63303

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59978

I know there are several more threads about this but I haven't come across them as of yet.

I'll post them when I do.

This is an interesting topic and one worth discussing in my honest opinion.

[Heidi]

Personally, if I could rule the universe (well, the early education universe in the USA), I would do this:

Birth-3 Family or Family Childcare. Small group sizes, 100% play-based and learning around caregiving activities like being fed, changed, etc. Warm interactions, predictable rhythm to the days, good, healthy food.

Ages 3-6, Larger group care or preschool or kindergarten (as it's called in most European countries). Some structured, teacher led activities like songs, stories, reading aloud to the children, music time or "phy ed", but still largely play-based. Offer some exposure to books, math, and reading but no pushing. Guidance in things like waiting in line, community (helping each other), dressing independently, helping with classroom tasks. Trying to be realistic because technology is so important, I suppose I would introduce SOME computer use at 6. But art materials, sensory experiences, outdoor play, dramatic play, music, social skills, and self-help skills should prevail.

Age 7, introduce more academics, but make sure kids still get plenty of fresh air and free play.

From there, each year should become a little more academic.

What would be your dream?

[Blackcat31]

Personally, if I could rule the universe (well, the early education universe in the USA), I would do this:

Birth-3 Family or Family Childcare. Small group sizes, 100% play-based and learning around caregiving activities like being fed, changed, etc.

Ages 3-6, Larger group care or preschool or kindergarten (as it's called in most European countries). Some structured, teacher led activities like songs, stories, reading aloud to the children, music time or "phy ed", but still largely play-based. Offer some exposure to books, math, and reading but no pushing. Guidance in things like waiting in line, community (helping each other), dressing independently, helping with classroom tasks. Trying to be realistic because technology is so important, I suppose I would introduce SOME computer use at 6. But art materials, sensory experiences, outdoor play, dramatic play, music, social skills, and self-help skills should prevail.

Age 7, introduce more academics, but make sure kids still get plenty of fresh air and free play.

From there, each year should become a little more academic.

Hail Queen Heid!

[Cat Herder]

I've heard you mention this before...do you really believe this? Why? Please explain. Why would it be in the interest of the state to close all home based child care...wouldn't that create a bigger child care crisis (especially for infants and toddlers)?

I believe it too, as does my licensor. Federal Grants for the State depend on it. If they don't create a media "child care crisis" they lose out on money.

K-3 and K-4 are already in public schools here (free to parents from our tax dollars). They are expanding their "Pre-School" (birth-3 daycare run by high school students in the vocational program. Sliding scale pmt, tax payer funded.) to another building. It is a new found, uncontested, tax exempt source of income.

My State also granted tax exempt status for any business who operates an on site daycare. Only a percentage must be employees children. They are "creating jobs and giving incentives for business leaders to move here".... unless your business is daycare.

By "proving" childcare "quality" can only be ensured by Govt. oversight, they get their cake and eat it too. Out of our paychecks.

[Annalee]

Personally, if I could rule the universe (well, the early education universe in the USA), I would do this:

Birth-3 Family or Family Childcare. Small group sizes, 100% play-based and learning around caregiving activities like being fed, changed, etc. Warm interactions, predictable rhythm to the days, good, healthy food.

Ages 3-6, Larger group care or preschool or kindergarten (as it's called in most European countries). Some structured, teacher led activities like songs, stories, reading aloud to the children, music time or "phy ed", but still largely play-based. Offer some exposure to books, math, and reading but no pushing. Guidance in things like waiting in line, community (helping each other), dressing independently, helping with classroom tasks. Trying to be realistic because technology is so important, I suppose I would introduce SOME computer use at 6. But art materials, sensory experiences, outdoor play, dramatic play, music, social skills, and self-help skills should prevail.

Age 7, introduce more academics, but make sure kids still get plenty of fresh air and free play.

From there, each year should become a little more academic.

What would be your dream?

Good Post! Wish it was like that...my own 4th and 6th grader are doing schoolwork I did in High School....I have a degree and many times have to google to find the answers to their homework....::