Beyond Babysitting Workshop
Beyond Babysitting:
Building a Professional Family Child Care Program
Presented by: Jennifer Karnopp
Author of Beyond Babysitting: Advice, Information and Activities on Building a Professional Program
Owner of World of Wonder, early learning materials
Introduction:
What’s so great about family child care?
Part 1: Expectations
How do you see yourself: Child Care Provider or Babysitter?
Think about the words that come to mind when you hear the term “Child Care Provider”. Do the same for the word “Babysitter.” Which describes the way you see yourself?
We express our professionalism through:
-the way we look
-the way we act with the children and their families
-the way we arrange our space
-the way we run our program
Part 2: Your Space
All children need to:
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Beyond Babysitting Workshop
Enter the program
Eat
Be active/loud indoors
Be quiet/calm indoors
Nap
Play/explore outdoors
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Beyond Babysitting Workshop
Have you created good spaces for these activities?
You need to:
Take care of business (accept payments, post notices, keep records)
Have some privacy
The Entrance
-welcoming
-organized
-designed for parents, children and you
Active/Loud Space Indoors
-gross motor activities (trikes, slides, large cushions or mats)
-away from sharp corners or other dangers
-away from quiet spaces
Quiet Space
-soft chairs or cushions
-books, puzzles, blocks
-away from loud spaces
Eating Area
-near kitchen
-child sized furniture
Outdoor Space
-shaded
-fenced
-checked for potential hazards
Nap/Rest Space
-away from distractions
Office Space
-accessible to you but not to children
-store payment records, receipts, professional development certificates, etc.
Always ask yourself: Is my arrangement…
(1) child friendly? (increases child independence and decreases your need to say “no”)
(2) easy to supervise?
(3) child safe?
Your Task:
PART 2: Planning a great program:
What makes a program great?
It's fun for kids, fun for the caregiver and parents feel good about it.
To make your program great:
Create a schedule or daily routine to fits your group of kids
To create a daily routine/schedule, think about these pieces of the day:
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Beyond Babysitting Workshop
Fixed elements
Welcome time
Snack
Lunch
Nap
Changeable elements
free play
structured play
outdoor time
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Beyond Babysitting Workshop
Step 1- know the ages and stages of the children in your care
The ages and stages of your children will affect whether or not they can take part in activities. It also impacts your role as you make sure that every child has a fun and is successful.
Step 2- Select the elements that will make up a day in your program
Example of Infant/Toddler AM Schedule:
Infants Toddlers
Example of Toddler/Preschool AM Schedule:
Toddler Preschool
Always consider the ages of the children in your care!
Step 3: Fill in your daily schedule with activities or planned experiences
Requires set-up / May require set-up
Has planned steps to follow / Kids explore or experiment on their own
Has a specific goal or desired outcome / Has no specific outcome
Don’t feel you have to provide new and different activities or experiences every day. Young children love repetition!
Part 3: Communicating with Families
Always maintain your professionalism as you communicate and build relationships with families.
Think about how you communicate with families during the different phases of their involvement with your program? What can you do to make each phase go smoothly?
Cycle of family involvement
1- Hearing about you
Who are you trying to attract to your program (what are you all about)?
Are your marketing efforts reaching those people?
2- Interview (first impressions matter!)
Have a plan
Set expectations- what you expect and what parents can expect
Let your set up and planning efforts shine
3- Enrollment
Detail policies and expectations in an enrollment packet
• Payment policy
• Hours and vacation days
• Guidelines (what you expect from families and child)
• Program information (what parents can expect from you)
• Forms for Family/Child information
4- Day to Day Communications
How will you keep families informed of what their children are doing?
• Daily chart (great for infants/toddlers)
• Bulletin board
• Weekly newsletter
• Facebook updates (watch privacy settings and get permission from parents in writing if you plan to post pictures)
5- Special Communications
How will you handle issues that come up (special events, behavior issues, etc.)
• post a notice
• newsletter
• regular or special parent conferences
• phone calls/phone chain (avoid email)
6- Leaving the Program
Do you have an upper age limit?
Do you require notice?
Consider a special ceremony to help children transition out
Conclusion:
You are a child care professional. You have valuable skills and knowledge that your community needs and values. Bring it all together to create a wonderful, quality program.
Ingredients for a Perfect Day:
· Clear expectations
· Well thought-out space
· A routine that fits the needs of children
· Fun activities and experiences
· Happy children and satisfied families
Resources:
Family Child Care Basics: Advice, Information and Activities to Create a Professional Program, by Jennifer Karnopp
Family Child Care Infant/Toddler Activity Binder, by World of Wonder (WoWKits)
Online:
www.naeyc.org- National Association for the Education of Young Children
www.nafcc.org- National Association for Family Child Care
www.naccrra.org- National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies
www.wowkits.wordpress.com- Blog for the early childhood professional
Jennifer Karnopp
World of Wonder
PO Box 917
Intervale, NH 03845
877-969-5487
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