Blog Week 7 6162-6
“Ten states post licensing information about child care on the Internet for parents and the general public to access. Most of these states post full inspection reports and information about substantiated complaints. Michigan posts Original Licensing Study Reports, Renewal Licensing Study Reports, and Special Investigation Reports (when rule violations are cited) on our website. To view a child care facility report, go to www.michigan.gov/dhslicensing , click on “Child Care” and then click on “License Lookups.” (DHS, 2007)
What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed where you live and work? In Michigan, “Placing staff to fit classroom needs can be mind-boggling and it is often very time consuming to find the perfect match. There are so many factors that play an important role in finding an excellent team for each group of children. Those factors fall into four categories: Program needs, Child needs, Parent needs, and Staff needs. These categories often overlap, however some things are specific to each. Frequently, the program itself has requirements that need to be met, including licensing requirements. There are age and education requirements that have to be met in order to hire an individual. As our profession matures and communities understand the importance of quality childcare, these requirements will continue to develop and grow more stringent. The needs of the children are paramount. Children need caregiving staff that is well versed in the principles and knowledge of age appropriate practice. The team needs care giving staff that is warm, welcoming and genuine in their interest in children. Parents also have an interest in the teaching team working with their children. The caregiving staff needs to be able to relate to parents and understand the importance of forming partnerships with them. It is vital that each child feel wrapped in a cocoon of loving care between home and school/center. This can only happen when care giving staff and parents form effective partnerships. Caregiving staffs have needs that should be considered. They want to work with team members they can relate to and with whom they can form relationships of mutual respect, trust and consideration. It is also great when they can have fun together. There are many factors to consider when planning placement of care giving staff. Caregiving staff want to work together to provide a balance of skills and knowledge. For example, one caregiver is great at working one on one with the children and the other is fabulous working with groups of children, one loves to do science activities and the other loves art. Directors have to balance the needs of children, parents and staff as well as meet all the program requirements to operate a successful center. When staff and parents know considerable time and effort goes into this process, it fosters healthy relationships and open communication among everyone involved. “(Eaton & Cox, 2007)
What opportunities and/or requirements for professional development exist? “There are many factors to consider when planning placement of care giving staff. Caregiving staff want to work together to provide a balance of skills and knowledge. For example, one caregiver is great at working one on one with the children and the other is fabulous working with groups of children, one loves to do science activities and the other loves art. Directors have to balance the needs of children, parents and staff as well as meet all the program requirements to operate a successful center. When staff and parents know considerable time and effort goes into this process, it fosters healthy relationships and open communication among everyone involved.” (Eaton & Cox, 2007)
What are some of your professional goals? My goals are to be able to open my own childcare center and be able to teach early education at my center.
What are some of your professional hopes, dreams, and challenges? My hope is to be able to reach my goals and in the next year or two and have my center open and full of employees and children. I have had this dream for a long time, and started pursuing it once before. One of the reasons I enrolled in Walden is to finish what I had started. My degree. I attended another college and was faced with some personal challenges and really did not want to mess up in school so I put my education on hold. Now that I have a continuing starts my plan is to finish. I have already assumed a name, printed business cards and a few T –shirts. Received my childcare package from the State of Michigan and now looking for a building. I am also trying to purchase a new home with hopes to start out with some childcare and branch out. My biggest challenge is finances. I have heard that there are ways to get grants and loans, and some experience would be a start. I like what I feel about caring for young children and providing a good learning environment. I know I will face many challenges, but my plan is not to give up. I know that this is what I was made to do.
All of my entries with the exception of my personal entry we retrieved from http://www.google.com/search?q=Michigan+Child+Care+Matters&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADFA_enUS473 PDF] ocal-pub 37 - State of Michiganwww.michigan.gov/documents/.../OCAL_PUB_37_76_201567_7.pd...File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View This issue of Michigan Child Care Matters is devoted to professional development. Project Great Start was launched by Governor Granholm in 2004. The vision ...
Department of Human Services (2007) Michigan Childcare Matters. ISSUE 77, Winter 2007 Program Evaluation
Eaton, K., Executive Director, UAW-GM Child Development Center & Cox, R., President of Genesee County Childcare Director’s Association UAW-GM Child Development Center
