Educator/Provider Fact Sheets

PROPER DIAPERING PROCEDURES

One of the most important things you can do as a childcare provider is to make sure your diapering procedure and area is sanitary. Diseases can be spread by you or the child’s hands due to improper sanitary procedures during diapering.

Diseases, viruses and parasites that can be spread are:

• Salmonella

• Shigella

• Campylobacter

• Giardia

• Crypto sporidia

• Rotavirus

• Norwalk virus

• Hepatitis A

Here are some important points to remember:

PROMOTING DIVERSITY

PREVENTING BURNOUT

WHAT IS BURNOUT?

Burnout can be defined as: physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress. I’m sure many childcare providers can relate. Childcare providers may experience burnout because:

• You wear many hats, your duties as a family childcare provider has to be balanced with your duties to your family.

PRESENTING YOURSELF AS A PROFESSIONAL

As a business owner, you always want to appear professional. Because you work from home do not be tempted to appear so informal that you do not seem professional. Parents have complained that their childcare provider appeared to be in their pajamas when the child was dropped off and still wearing the same outfit when the child was picked up.

POSITIVE COMMUNICATION BUILDS SELF-ESTEEM

Building a children’s self-esteem is an essential skill when caring for children. What you say to them, how you say it, and how you treat them has a tremendous impact on how the child sees themself.

There are many opportunities during the day when you communicate with a child. However, you need to think about what that communication looks like.

PARENT- PROVIDER COMMUNICATION

Parents who leave their children in your care, expect that their child will grow and develop in a healthy way. Often parents are not as knowledgeable about developmental milestones as you are. You are in the wonderful position to help these parents to appreciate what you are doing and how their child is progressing.

This fact sheet will answer the following questions:

• What information should you be communicating to the parent?

• How often should you be communicating with the parents?

OWNING YOUR MISTAKES

Everyone makes mistakes or bad decisions at some time. When you receive a citation do not spend time trying to justify it or try to find fault with the person who ‘caught you’.

It’s hard when you know that you work hard and are focused on the well-being of the children. It is difficult to take when someone comes into your home and points out what he feels you are doing wrong. Especially when you are in non-compliance because you have tried to accommodate the needs of one of your clients.

OUTDOOR PLAY AREA RULES

Outdoor play should be a time when children can run, jump, climb, use loud voices, and play freely. This is a wonderful way for children to develop their motor coordination and social skills. As much as you want to allow the children to freely express themselves and have fun outdoors, it is your responsibility to keep them safe from harm.

NATURAL HERBS AND HOLISTIC TREATMENTS

Many parents are turning to herbs and holistic treatments to keep their children healthy, but the question is whether these remedies are safe for the child. What can a provider do it a childcare parent expects you to administer ‘herbal medications” while their child is in your care? You always have the option to simply say "no". However, if you do decide to respect a parent’s choice of holistic medicine, there is some important information you should share with parents.

MUSIC A KEY TO DEVELOPMENT

MRSA INFECTION IN CHILDCARE

MRSA can be found in childcare settings. As a provider, you should be aware of what MRSA is, how it is spread, and steps you can take to prevent it.

WHAT IS MRSA?

MARKETING YOUR PROGRAM

You have invested in quality age-appropriate toys, games, and equipment for you family childcare business. You have created a bright, colorful and safe environment for children. You have also invested time and research to develop an age-appropriate curriculum for the children you will care for. It’s all ready but it’s missing the children. How do you attract families to your childcare program?

Marketing your program is a very important part of your business plan. Here are some steps you can take to market your program:

MANDATED REPORTING FACTS

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MANDATED PROVIDER?

All family childcare providers are mandated reporters. What does that mean? What if you are wrong? The word mandate means – A command or law given to authorize to do something. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119, Section 51A, defines d a mandated reporter as someone:

LEGAL ISSUES FOR FAMILY CHILDCARE PROVIDERS

LEGAL ISSUES – DOCUMENTATION FOR YOUR FILES -

ISSUES:

ESSENTIAL ENROLLMENT INFORMATION

CUSTODY

RELEASING CHILD

RESTRAINING ORDERS

There are many legalities that you should be aware of when enrolling a child in your care. Domestic abuse, divorce, separations, and other family issues may and can effect your childcare business. It is important that you protect yourself and the children in your care.

As we stated in 'Legal Issues For Family Childcare Providers" the following information is necessary to have in your files:

LEAD PAINT INFORMATION

Lead is very dangerous to children. A child’s growing body absorbs more lead than adults do. A young child between to ages of 9 month and 6 years old are at most risk. Babies brains and nervous systems are very sensitive to the effects of lead. If you are pregnant, lead can hurt your baby.
One of the reasons babies and young children are so susceptible to lead poisoning is because they are constantly putting their fingers and other objects into their mouth that can have lead from dust or soil on them.

CHILDREN CAN BE EXPOSED TO LEAD BY:

KNOW YOUR CONTRACTUAL REGULATIONS

KEEPING GOOD RECORDS

Your contract and regulations require you to keep good records. Your license and contract also states what records you are required to have available when a licenser or monitor comes for a visit. Knowing this, it is a good idea to have a system in place to keep these records handy and up-to-date.

For example: You know that your food program monitor is going to ask to see your menus. It can be time consuming and an interruption if you need to search for the menus and even more difficult if you have not completed the paperwork.

INFANTS – LEARNING FROM THEIR SENSES

A quality family childcare program for infants will include activities that satisfy curriculum objectives and maximize provider/infant interactions. Infants learn a great deal through their senses. Here are some ways infants learn and activities that will assist the infants to reach developmental milestones:

SIGHT

INFANTS – INFANT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

Family childcare is often the preferred type of childcare parents choose for their infant. A family childcare home most closely approximates the type of care the parent would provide if he or she were able to stay at home. Family childcare offers:

• Home environment

• Continuity of care

• Small group size

• Flexibility of hours