Reading in K

[Unregistered]

Actually I live in MN and the state standards were just modified to include the clause that they need to be reading at a level 4 reader before the end of school.

I think it is my obligation to get kids ready for school and yes that means keeping current on what is considered "ready". Obviously twenty yrs ago being ready and now are two different things and I think if would be completely irresponsible to just keep sending kids with out knowing what the standards are and making attempts to get kids to those marks. No technically nobody from the state or school district is paying me to get these kids ready but the parents are paying me and I doubt anyone would be pleased sending their kids to a daycare that didn't know what kids needed to be ready for K and adapt accordingly. Who would want the kids in their daycare to get to K and then find out they are behind the eight ball? Even if you don't like that kids nowadays need to know "so much more than in the past" and it seems they "cant just be kids anymore" it is reality and needs to be addressed before they get to K.

Our district says that if they can't read to state standards (which are very high in MN) by the end of k they have a 1 in 8 chance of graduating. Sure makes that first year at school important huh.

I'm a MN girl also. I totally disagree with you though. I provide daycare while the parents are at work, but am not a teacher and surely doesn't get paid enough to be one for preschoolers also.
I do believe that it is not our place as providers, to HAVE to teach reading so they are ready for K. I think the place belongs to the parents to be doing that. My responsibility is to take care of the kids for the parents so they can work themselves, if it wasn't for us, the parents would not be able to work, but we should not have to be the teacher also. Now I am an in-home provider , not a daycare center provider, which is different. There are preschools for the kids to go to if the parents want them to be ready for K,that is what a preschool is for. They expect so much out of the children today at such young
age. I think if you want to teach your daycare kids to read, that is totally up to you, but I don't think it is totally our responsibility to do so,and I do think it is expecting too much of such young kids at k age to have to be reading.

[Lilbutterflie]

As a parent of a child currently in K; I think the new state guidelines for reading at level 4 or level C is really not as harsh as everyone thinks. The teachers and parents work together to achieve this regardless of the knowledge they had before they entered kindergarten. My DD was no where near able to read before she entered K. She knew her alphabet by sight and sound, she could write her upper case letters but was struggling with her lower case. She has grown leaps and bounds during kindergarten and is already where she needs to be to get to first grade.

[Unregistered]

As a parent of a child currently in K; I think the new state guidelines for reading at level 4 or level C is really not as harsh as everyone thinks. The teachers and parents work together to achieve this regardless of the knowledge they had before they entered kindergarten. My DD was no where near able to read before she entered K. She knew her alphabet by sight and sound, she could write her upper case letters but was struggling with her lower case. She has grown leaps and bounds during kindergarten and is already where she needs to be to get to first grade.

Wonderful! Good for your child!

[Unregistered]

I think you should start calling yourself babysitters since you don't want to step up and support the kids in their learning as a professional would.

So basically you are there for wiping noses and bottoms, feeding them 2-3 meals and nothing else. Huh. Hope your parents know that when they sign up. And hope they aren't paying you squat to do so.

I would be embarrassed to tell my parents I wasn't trying to get their kids ready for school including any new standards that were sent our way.

How many hrs a week are they there with you? Doesnt anyone remember that the first 5 yrs are the most crucial in a kids life and every thing possible should be done to enhance their learning at this age. ???

BTW- I recieved our info on updated standards through a professional group I belong to that works in conjuntion with MDE to provide quality care to these little ones. And yes I work as an in-home provider however I do have my teaching license and get paid accordingly.

[nannyde]

I think you should start calling yourself babysitters since you don't want to step up and support the kids in their learning as a professional would.

So basically you are there for wiping noses and bottoms, feeding them 2-3 meals and nothing else. Huh. Hope your parents know that when they sign up. And hope they aren't paying you squat to do so.

I would be embarrassed to tell my parents I wasn't trying to get their kids ready for school including any new standards that were sent our way.

How many hrs a week are they there with you? Doesnt anyone remember that the first 5 yrs are the most crucial in a kids life and every thing possible should be done to enhance their learning at this age. ???

BTW- I recieved our info on updated standards through a professional group I belong to that works in conjuntion with MDE to provide quality care to these little ones. And yes I work as an in-home provider however I do have my teaching license and get paid accordingly.

So that is the service you offer and you get paid accordingly. That's excellent.

I don't know many providers who are being paid child care fees plus educational service fees. That's the problem. They aren't one and the same.

You say the first five years of life are the most crucial and EVERYTHING possible should be done. If that is true then the person doing EVERYTHING should be VERY highly paid.

You said: So basically you are there for wiping noses and bottoms, feeding them 2-3 meals and nothing else.

My babysitting services include: close proximal supervision (a one adult to four child ratio), excellent (fully organic home made from scratch meals) nutrition, free play with an outstanding toy collection for birth to five, outdoor exercise (45 minute hike every possible day), GOOD DEEP SLEEP (2.5-3 hour afternoon nap) , discipline, and affection.

I get paid for good CARE. If they have an early childhood of good care they will be great students.

[Cat Herder]

Why is it always "unregistered" that likes to call everyone else out? ::::::

I have said it a MILLION times and I will say it again.....

I am NOT a TEACHER!!!!

I am a Childcare Provider, also known as a BABYSITTER, who literally provides CARE to infants and toddlers, for pay, while their parents work.....

If parents want a teacher they will need to PAY FOR a Pre-School who employs them......

[Unregistered]

I think you should start calling yourself babysitters since you don't want to step up and support the kids in their learning as a professional would.

So basically you are there for wiping noses and bottoms, feeding them 2-3 meals and nothing else. Huh. Hope your parents know that when they sign up. And hope they aren't paying you squat to do so.

I would be embarrassed to tell my parents I wasn't trying to get their kids ready for school including any new standards that were sent our way.

How many hrs a week are they there with you? Doesnt anyone remember that the first 5 yrs are the most crucial in a kids life and every thing possible should be done to enhance their learning at this age. ???

BTW- I recieved our info on updated standards through a professional group I belong to that works in conjuntion with MDE to provide quality care to these little ones. And yes I work as an in-home provider however I do have my teaching license and get paid accordingly.

Well, good for you! I'm glad you get paid accordingly. I do not! I also don't have a teaching license. So what if you consider me a babysitter,that is what we do and what babysitter's do, watch children while their parents are not home. They call us daycare providers because, we watch children during the day and provider care, right! I don't think it is our responsibility get the children ready for school,parents these days are dropping the ball and letting others teach their children with what they should be doing themselves. I know this post is not about this,but it really irks me when you and others say it is our responsibility to get the kids ready for school, it is not for us to do, it is the parents who need to step up and do this. Parents are taking us providers for granted and trying to get us to do all things that they should be doing. I think it is wonderful if you want to teach the kids, nothing wrong with that, but I don't think you need to say we are not doing our job in taking care of, or not loving the kids and giving them the attention that they deserve. Do you wipe noses, butts and feed the kids? If you do and I hope you do, you are doing the same thing I am. We are all doing this because we love the kids and that is the main reason for doing daycare. I don't mean any ill feelings here, just speaking my mind. I'm happy you do teach the kids and love doing it.

[Unregistered]

Why is it always "unregistered" that likes to call everyone else out? ::::::

I have said it a MILLION times and I will say it again.....

I am NOT a TEACHER!!!!

I am a Childcare Provider, also known as a BABYSITTER, who literally provides CARE to infants and toddlers, for pay, while their parents work.....

If parents want a teacher they will need to PAY FOR a Pre-School who employs them......

I also am unregistered, but not the one that keeps calling everyone else out. I agree with you 100%. You are so right on. Thank You!

[Blackcat31]

I could spend time teaching the kids reading and all sorts of educational school readiness stuff IF I wasn't so busy teaching them things like using the toilet, how to use table manners, how to be nice to other kids and how to master life-skills and self-help skills......

[nannyde]

Why is it always "unregistered" that likes to call everyone else out? ::::::

I have said it a MILLION times and I will say it again.....

I am NOT a TEACHER!!!!

I am a Childcare Provider, also known as a BABYSITTER, who literally provides CARE to infants and toddlers, for pay, while their parents work.....

If parents want a teacher they will need to PAY FOR a Pre-School who employs them......

What she said.

Have teachers teach kids and pay them a teachers wage, give them benefits, and PAY THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

[DCMom]

I could spend time teaching the kids reading and all sorts of educational school readiness stuff IF I wasn't so busy teaching them things like using the toilet, how to use table manners, how to be nice to other kids and how to master life-skills and self-help skills......

I agree 110%.

We are creating self-sufficent, confident, well behaved (hopefully!) little people who will leave us and be a joy for their kindergarten teacher, because they know how to put on their coat and zip it, use the bathroom, can sit quietly with listening ears, eat their veggies at lunchtime and are ready to take the leap into learning that is kindergarten.

That's when the people who are paid to teach take over ~ we have done our job.

[nannyde]

I agree 110%.

We are creating self-sufficent, confident, well behaved (hopefully!) little people who will leave us and be a joy for their kindergarten teacher, because they know how to put on their coat and zip it, use the bathroom, can sit quietly with listening ears, eat their veggies at lunchtime and are ready to take the leap into learning that is kindergarten.

That's when the people who are paid to teach take over ~ we have done our job.

Hear Hear DCMom Advanced Daycare.com Member

I'll betcha if you surveyed Kindy teachers and asked them what they REALLY want they would hands down say bring me a NICE kid who has had the first five years with excellent nutrition, lots of exercise, good deep sleep, RESPECT for adults, good friends, self entertainment skills, and lots of lovin.

Promise ya...

The ABC's and the 123's come REAL easy for a kid who has had THAT the first five years of life.

Oh and I want "Advanced Daycare.com Member". How much does THAT cost?

[Blackcat31]

Hear Hear DCMom Advanced Daycare.com Member

Oh and I want "Advanced Daycare.com Member". How much does THAT cost?

yeah, I was wondering that myself!!

[DCMom]

Hear Hear DCMom Advanced Daycare.com Member

I'll betcha if you surveyed Kindy teachers and asked them what they REALLY want they would hands down say bring me a NICE kid who has had the first five years with excellent nutrition, lots of exercise, good deep sleep, RESPECT for adults, good friends, self entertainment skills, and lots of lovin.

Promise ya...

The ABC's and the 123's come REAL easy for a kid who has had THAT the first five years of life.

Oh and I want "Advanced Daycare.com Member". How much does THAT cost?

LOL, I no idea how much that cost or how I got that! Michael, maybe you could answer that?!

And for the record, I have several friends who are K to 3 grade teachers and ask them all time for their advice on what I as a CHILD CARE PROVIDER can do to help them TEACH better. And it is summed up pretty well by what Nanny De and I had to say.

[Unregistered]

Wow

I think you should start calling yourself babysitters since you don't want to step up and support the kids in their learning as a professional would.

So basically you are there for wiping noses and bottoms, feeding them 2-3 meals and nothing else. Huh. Hope your parents know that when they sign up. And hope they aren't paying you squat to do so.

I would be embarrassed to tell my parents I wasn't trying to get their kids ready for school including any new standards that were sent our way.

How many hrs a week are they there with you? Doesnt anyone remember that the first 5 yrs are the most crucial in a kids life and every thing possible should be done to enhance their learning at this age. ???

BTW- I recieved our info on updated standards through a professional group I belong to that works in conjuntion with MDE to provide quality care to these little ones. And yes I work as an in-home provider however I do have my teaching license and get paid accordingly.

I don't think that a provider who doesn't teach the children in their care the academic material is no less a good provider than a provider who focuses on academics. This is why I feel this way. I think that children will be in school soon enough as it is and I would much rather work on the things like sharing, independence, learning patience, empathy and other things that don't get the same attention when the kids leave my house and head off to school.

I have no complaints from parents in regard to how I choose to spend my time with the kids here. My 3.5 year old dcg may not know how to read yet, but you know what she can do? She can share, listen, do things for herself, and she's a kind little girl.

That's what matters when they are young!