Do you realize you play a significant role in ensuring your child’s learning experience is a positive one? Your efforts to appreciate your child’s teachers can make more of a difference than one might think! Our most powerfully impactful families are those that make a strong effort to communicate and participate in our classrooms and frequently recognize teachers’ efforts. Our childcare families are an integral part of our success here at Little Learners Child Care! And just as you are thankful for the best possible care, we are grateful for highly supportive families. It really does take a village to raise a child!

Most early childhood educators do what they do because they love children and enjoy making a difference. But our teachers often wish that parents knew a bit more about what they do here each day. Our Teachers:

• Typically work a 10-hour day

• Greet children, soothe tears, and possibly listen to and find solutions for a concerned or upset parent

• Maintain safety & constant supervision while also meeting the requirements of childcare licensing

• Feed, diaper and bathroom children, and nap them according to a wide variety of parent wishes

• Teach curriculum to groups with limited attention spans while meeting social, emotional, & physical standards

• Take children outdoors, weather permitting, but must plan for inadequately dressed or undersupplied children

• Communicate with parents via Brightwheel and in person

• Host conferences twice each year and observe children’s growth and milestones

• Prepare newsletters/events

• Plan future curriculum and purchase classroom supplies within a budget

• Complete required documentation of items such as feeding, sleeping, diapering, and daily headcounts

• Document the cleaning and disinfecting of toys and equipment and ensure all are in working order

• Document injuries and inform parents when their child has hurt another

• Ensure first aid supplies & medicines are adequate and not expired

• Ensure other staff are trained on emergency medical procedures and special needs plans for enrolled children

• Maintain privacy of individuals

• Although they are not doctors or nurses, they must be prepared for medical emergencies

• Must know the responsibilities of being a mandated reporter and watch for signs of abuse or neglect

• Must be vigilant about allergy awareness and dietary needs and be prepared to use EpiPen if needed

• Must be informed about authorized/non-authorized pick—ups for a long and constantly changing list of families

• Balance varied skills and abilities of many children while teaching in one classroom

• Meet the needs of one child who requires a few extra hugs while simultaneously meeting the needs of another who may be displaying rude, unsafe, or even violent behaviors

• Balance expectations & priorities of families from different ethnic, religious, & economic backgrounds knowing some families place emphasis on curriculum while others place more emphasis on nutrition or sanitation

• Must encourage participation from some families that have little interest in classroom involvement or feedback

• Must be prepared for unscheduled fire/storm drills at any moment and in any weather condition

• Operate in a licensed occupation, therefore, must be prepared for inspection by the Department of Human Services, the Department Food and Safety, State and Local Fire inspectors, and a licensed health nurse

• Must take up to 40 hours continuing education each year, In addition to classroom work and on personal time

When families understand the challenges teachers face, it can prompt them to offer support and patience. We hope that all Little Learners Families will consciously be on board with supporting our staff in their efforts, and to applaud then for the amazing work they are doing!

On the following table you can read a few examples of parental practices that distract from classroom learning. You can also read inspiring examples of parental practices that have made our Little Learners staff feel appreciated and supported. Many of these positive examples are based on actual experiences with some of our highly supportive families that help us meet our mission of “Where home child care nurturing meets center teaching...we believe should be nurtured then taught” We hope you strive to be yet another highly supportive Little Learners Family!