School Readiness in Family Child Care

01/22/2008

School Readiness in Family Child Care

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.
Mary Anne Radmacher

Beverly Schmalzreid encourages family child care providers to "Step Up to the Plate for School Readiness." Writing in the Fall 2007 issue of The National Perspective, the newsletter of Exchange Strategic Partner, the National Association for Family Child Care (www.nafcc.org), she observed that family child care programs, for all their strengths, are often not as successful in the area of school readiness. She recommended that family home providers consider the following ideas....

Make reading a part of each child's day. Have a selection of board and other children's books readily available for the children to hand and look at.
Do math, science or social studies activities several times during the week....Ask the librarian for books that include simple-to-to science, math and social studies activities. Display rocks, feathers, vegetables, and other natural materials of interest to young minds.
Provide space and time for older children to do their homework....After a nutritious snack and some down time, school-agers can be encouraged to finish their homework...Provide table or desk space, good lighting, and a quiet area.
Let parents know you are concerned about their child's preparation for school and that your program will help them prepare for this important step in their lives...Let parents know you are familiar with the state education standards. Also let them know that you are offering activities such as daily reading, to help their child achieve the standards.

Training Needs of Family Child Care Providers

The Exchange Insta Poll for this week invites you to share your views on the topics for which training is most urgently needed by family child care providers. Make your voice heard!

GOOGLE HIRING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS:
Google has expanded its employee child development program by opening a world-class children's center in Mountain View, California and is now hiring teachers.

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