Chapter 5 Leading and Managing Personnel

In Chapter 5, Decker, Decker, Freeman, & Knopf mentions the staff is the single most important influence on the quality of early childhood programs. The best programs tend to have highly qualified staff and low teacher turnover. A disparity exists between the professional preparation, access to many roles in the field, adequate compensation of staff, and the growing expectations for optimal care and education of young children
I do believe that quality staffing is important for a early childhood program. Teachers should meet the credentials set by the individual program. In addition, learning should be ongoing for staff. Employers should provide staff with professional growth.
How does a program provide a positive productive work climate? I believe that it is the administrator responsibility balance the organization of a program. The administrator should communicate questions, concerns, and information to staff. I feel that teachers and working teams should multiple classroom observations. Staff should be open to constructive criticism.

In today's Childcare Exchange Everyday, Rosabeth Moss Kanter writes about her experience with people not getting the important messages leaders try to send the first time around. I agree with this article. When it comes to work, we receive so many emails in one day. Sometimes, it is difficult to read all of the emails. Then, redo yearly goals (just received today), WSS checklist (finalized), final reports to our EC, TPOT observation write ups, quarterly reports, lesson plans, parent conferencing for the Fall, conference write ups, small group instruction, PACT activities, parents information (parent conference sign ups, newsletters, reminders, sign permission forms) is overwhelming. Is it just me or does anyone else is overwhelmed? So how do I prioritize emails. I try to get to each one. Honestly, I do miss some of them. However, I am so glad that I have a colleague that I can lean on. Actually, we lean on each other to remind ourselves what needs to be done and when. This really helps.

Regulations and Policies

Decker, Decker, Freeman, & Knopf (2009) mentions regulations and standards guide the life of an early childhood care and education program- its children and their families, its staff, director, and board. They are designed to give families that rely on child care peace of mind that the health and welfare of their children are safeguarded while their youngsters are away from home.
I believe a program needs to have regulations in place. However, I am curious to know how many programs use standards as a guide for their program? Why is standards an important part of a program?
What do you do if you have concerns with a child's learning process? Does any of your program do referrals to the DOE for further assessments?

The Exchange Everyday article- Reducing Email Overload mentions different ways to deal with being overwhelmed with email. When it comes to work, I would rather have an email reminder that a call. Personally, it is much faster. However, I do get overwhelmed with my personal email at home. What to do? How to manage our time? I just feel that at times there is not enough time in the day. For me, the most important thing is making sure I connect with my daughter everyday. Sometimes its just laying in bed and looking at the same book over and over.

My mana`o....

For the past 7 years, I have been working for Kamehameha Schools on the island of Kaua`i. I teach 3 year old keiki. Our program is free. Yes, free. As a free school, we do give preference to Hawaiian keiki. The reason for this, our school is on a DOE site. KS has not renewed the lease with the DOE, therefore we do give preference to Hawaiian keiki.
For the past few years, I have seen changes when it comes to our budget. We have cut our budget to 1/4 of what we have been given it the past. Does this mean we give less to the children? No, we still provide an age appropriate learning environment. Are we accredited? No. Does this mean that we are not a quality program? I guess that is left up to the parents who are looking for a "quality" program for their child. Is our program the best? No. I feel that every program on the island that are servicing keiki are "the best." If it works for the child, then it is the best.
I think what makes our program unique is we encourage parent participation. Once transition the keiki (usually by the 2nd week in September), we have our daily PACT (Parent and Child Time). An adult will stay with the child for approximately 20 minutes and work one-to-one with the child on a daily project. In addition, every `ohana is asked to do an `Ohana Project. For the `Ohana Project, each family will do one project with the keiki. This can be something as simple as reading a story, singing a song, or doing a cooking activity. The parents complete this project between October through May.
However, let me reiterate there are many programs on Kaua`i. I feel that it is a parents preference as to what program will meet the needs of their child.

Chapter 1- Early Childhood Education and Care as a Community Service or Big Business?

According to Decker, Decker, Freeman, & Knopf, 2009, the growing appreciation for the potential benefits of quality programs of early care and education has strengthened funding agencies' and policy makers' commitment to ensure children's development, growth, and learning. These benefits can be realized, however, only in the high-quality programs with characteristicsd linked to positive outcomes for children.
What is considered a quality program in the State of Hawai`i? Why? If there are quality programs, what makes it a quality program?
I agree that there is a need for quality programs. For me, I believe that a quality program is developmentally age appropriate, engages children, encourages social and emotional development, provides learning opportunities, encourages children to be involved, encourages parent involvement, and promotes literacy.
For the past 7 years, I have been working as a Early Childhood Education Teacher. I love my job! I love seeing children learn. Each morning they will greet you with a hug, then they are waiting, wanting, and eager to learn.
The chapter mentions their is a demand for child care. However, in the state are we providing enough programs for our keiki? Or on our island of Kaua`i?
I do think that we do need more.

Social and Emotional Development in Children

Is social and emotional development important in early childhood education? Does social and emotional development play a role in a child's learning?

http://www.childcareexchange.com/library_pe/5227004.pdf

The meaning of Life..

What is the meaning of life? What does it mean to live? Does our purpose in life matter?

I believe that there is a meaning to life. I feel that life is based upon your own personal beliefs. I do believe that how you raise a child impacts their life. For me, living is treating others the way you would like to be treated. Living is also being happy. I strongly believe that if you life each day finding the good in the day instead of finding all the bad things, you can pass that on to others. I feel that everyone has a purpose in life. However, it is up to you to find that purpose.