Crystal and Anyone Else Familiar With FCCERS

[snbauser]

We are moving in July. Right now I have an open floor plan that allows me to see most of the classroom areas while I am preparing meals. The new floor plan isn't open and I won't be able to see the classroom when I'm making lunch. In my current set up, I didn't get credit for my reading or science centers being available a "substantial portion of the day" because when I'm getting lunch ready, the kids can't use those centers because I can't see them. So when I move, what do I do when I need to take all the kids out of the classroom for the time I'm making lunch because they won't have access to any of the stuff? Any suggestions?

The only thing I can think of is to rearrange our schedule so the short 30-45 minute structured time we have is done during that time and the rest of the morning is open play. But I don't like having pretty much 4 hours of free play before we do structured stuff. Right now we typically do that stuff about 9:30. That gives them from arrival until 9:30 for open play, 45 min of stucture, then outside until 11:30. We come in and they choose quiet centers (books/puzzles/writing/etc) while I make lunch. If I change it around it would end up being open play from arrival until 10:15, outside until 11:15, and then in for structured time until lunch at noon. That would give them something calm and focused to work on while I prepared lunch.

[Heidi]

argh...this is what I hate about FCCER's. I understand the intention, but you can't do it all.

I would definately pick your battles. You're not going to get a 7 on everything no matter what you do, so do what works for you and your kiddos.

The only thing else I can think of is to have "mini" centers in your kitchen. Like a low bookcase with a few examples of math, reading, science, etc in separate baskets. The children could use these during your meal-prep time.

[originalkat]

Good idea Heidi! What about creating small learning tubs for different subjects for each child to use individually while you are preparing lunch.
1)Math box filled with a Math Manipulative
2)Science Box with magnets
3)Literacy Box with Alphabet game
4)Book Box with picture books
5)Small Motor Box with etch a sketch or similar item
6)Writing Box filled with dry erase board/marker/eraser
7)Sensory Box filled with discovery bottles
8)Building Box filled with small wooden blocks

Just an idea!

[Unregistered]

What do they expect you to do when you have a mixed age group with toddlers and infants? How do you set up permanent accessible centers and keep it safe for the littler ones?

I keep most of my stuff in baskets with tall shelves. Items not meant for under 3 year olds are up high and items fine for all ages are down low. Then I take out baskets according to kids' interests or my own ideas or our current curriculum unit or just for a change.
I can set up older kids in the kitchen area or a gated off preschooler area. But when we aren't using the 3+ items I put them away.

So how do you all set up these centers if you have older and younger children?

[Heidi]

What do they expect you to do when you have a mixed age group with toddlers and infants? How do you set up permanent accessible centers and keep it safe for the littler ones?

I keep most of my stuff in baskets with tall shelves. Items not meant for under 3 year olds are up high and items fine for all ages are down low. Then I take out baskets according to kids' interests or my own ideas or our current curriculum unit or just for a change.
I can set up older kids in the kitchen area or a gated off preschooler area. But when we aren't using the 3+ items I put them away.

So how do you all set up these centers if you have older and younger children?

You can't, really...that's the catch 22. If you have small items accessible for toddlers, they'll "ding" you on the safety. If you don't have them for older kids, they'll ding you on that.

FCCER's was designed as a self-assessment tool to improve your program, from what I understand. It was not designed as and assessment tool to measure quality. It's great as the former, terrible as the later.

[KiddieCahoots]

I don't have any good ideas, but wanted to say kudos for the effort you put into it.
Like mentioned, I find it's a catch twenty two......for just the recommended list of toys you should obtain and use regularly in your child care. Doesn't mesh with different ages, especially oral explorers.
This just adds to my belief of in home family being pushed or forced to phase out.

[Annalee]

You can't, really...that's the catch 22. If you have small items accessible for toddlers, they'll "ding" you on the safety. If you don't have them for older kids, they'll ding you on that.

FCCER's was designed as a self-assessment tool to improve your program, from what I understand. It was not designed as and assessment tool to measure quality. It's great as the former, terrible as the later.

TN used the FCCERS for many years but now are using the FCCERS-R. I agree with the "Catch-22", plus many areas are left to the perception of the assessor and that is just wrong. :confused:

[Heidi]

TN used the FCCERS for many years but now are using the FCCERS-R. I agree with the "Catch-22", plus many areas are left to the perception of the assessor and that is just wrong. :confused:

Yeah....my favorite one was getting 5 children, 3 of which are toddlers, sitting down for lunch. My observer (school instructor who uses FCCERs as a guideline) made comment along the lines of:

Sanitation/hygiene requirements say they all need to have their hands washed, the table should be sanitized, and they God forbid they touch anything on the way to the table (did that).

But, I was also told they should not wait for their lunch for more than 3 minutes once seated. (Failure! The oldest kid, 5, decided to take off the other way).

And, I may be mixing up standards, but I believe I am expected to sit with them at meals (I do), and eat with them.

How do you do all 3? Good luck!

Side note: I eat with my group now, but some days, I just HATE it. Right now, I have 4 under age 2. It's a constant reminder to sit nicely (not turn around), to keep food on their plates vs. the floor, to eat THEIR food vs. someone else's, to not throw their plates or cups on the floor, etc. It's not like I nag, but by the time one is done eating, wants to be excused, etc, I've eaten 2 bites, and someone is whining. It's not like I'm withering away, but it's a bit stressful.

[Annalee]

Yeah....my favorite one was getting 5 children, 3 of which are toddlers, sitting down for lunch. My observer (school instructor who uses FCCERs as a guideline) made comment along the lines of:

Sanitation/hygiene requirements say they all need to have their hands washed, the table should be sanitized, and they God forbid they touch anything on the way to the table (did that).

But, I was also told they should not wait for their lunch for more than 3 minutes once seated. (Failure! The oldest kid, 5, decided to take off the other way).

And, I may be mixing up standards, but I believe I am expected to sit with them at meals (I do), and eat with them.

How do you do all 3? Good luck!

Side note: I eat with my group now, but some days, I just HATE it. Right now, I have 4 under age 2. It's a constant reminder to sit nicely (not turn around), to keep food on their plates vs. the floor, to eat THEIR food vs. someone else's, to not throw their plates or cups on the floor, etc. It's not like I nag, but by the time one is done eating, wants to be excused, etc, I've eaten 2 bites, and someone is whining. It's not like I'm withering away, but it's a bit stressful.

You got it.....on any given day, anything can happen!!!! I am in TN so our lawmakers mandated it in 2002 and providers HAVE to do the FCCERS-R assessment every year.....yes, every year! We then get a report card that defines us for a year! Once again, don't wanna beat a dead horse because it is common knowledge on this board how I feel about the assessment! :::confused:

[Heidi]

You got it.....on any given day, anything can happen!!!! I am in TN so our lawmakers mandated it in 2002 and providers HAVE to do the FCCERS-R assessment every year.....yes, every year! We then get a report card that defines us for a year! Once again, don't wanna beat a dead horse because it is common knowledge on this board how I feel about the assessment! :::confused:

It is common knowledge on this board how 99% of providers feel about this assessment!

Which I find interesting. We, on the front lines, know NOTHING in the eyes of the "experts".

I cannot do enough of this.... x a googleplex

[snbauser]

I am in TN so our lawmakers mandated it in 2002 and providers HAVE to do the FCCERS-R assessment every year.....yes, every year! We then get a report card that defines us for a year! Once again, don't wanna beat a dead horse because it is common knowledge on this board how I feel about the assessment! :::confused:

We are not required to do it here, but we have a star rating system of 1-5 stars and you can not get a 5 without getting it done and it is extremely difficult to get a 4 without it. But at least we only have to get them done every 3 years.

[snbauser]

It is common knowledge on this board how 99% of providers feel about this assessment!

Which I find interesting. We, on the front lines, know NOTHING in the eyes of the "experts".

I cannot do enough of this.... x a googleplex

[Annalee]

It is common knowledge on this board how 99% of providers feel about this assessment!

Which I find interesting. We, on the front lines, know NOTHING in the eyes of the "experts".

I cannot do enough of this.... x a googleplex

With the state-mandated FCCERS-R assessment the assessors are persons with BS degrees in social work/early childhood and, I dare say, very few assessors have worked with children in any sort of setting....just enforcing their OWN perception of a book/tool without any realistic view whatsoever. If only lawmakers would listen!!!!! :confused:

[Heidi]

With the state-mandated FCCERS-R assessment the assessors are persons with BS degrees in social work/early childhood and, I dare say, very few assessors have worked with children in any sort of setting....just enforcing their OWN perception of a book/tool without any realistic view whatsoever. If only lawmakers would listen!!!!! :confused:

[SignMeUp]

With the state-mandated FCCERS-R assessment the assessors are persons with BS degrees in social work/early childhood and, I dare say, very few assessors have worked with children in any sort of setting....just enforcing their OWN perception of a book/tool without any realistic view whatsoever. If only lawmakers would listen!!!!! :confused:

It's the equivalent of my (former) doctor telling me how to lift a toddler properly, explaining it as if the child were an immobile box