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 The Compass
Pointing the Way to the Stars |
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NC Division of Child Development
& Early Education |
Fall 2012
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 From the Director's Desk
Dear Early Education Partners,
Greetings to all of you as we approach the cooling breezes of Fall! There is so much happening in our state and I know that is especially true in our licensed early care and education facilities around the state. Many of you may have recently welcomed new children and families into your classrooms with all of the excitement that brings. You all have such an important job in fostering the growth and development of North Carolina's young children! Indeed, you have the most important job that there is-ensuring the success of future generations. Thanks to all of you for the incredible work that you do.
Again this month there is so much to share with you:
A video of Ben Bernanke underlines the belief of economists that investing in early education brings significant returns to our society.
For teachers we have some teaching tips and news of a pilot project with exciting potential to support their work environment.
We address healthy and safe environments for children with a look at thirdhand smoke, a reminder about new crib safety standards, and tips about Tummy Time for infants.
For Fire Prevention Month there are resources to help ensure that you're safe and prepared.
CPR & First Aid are required trainings and you'll find guidance to be sure the course you take is approved
We share questions (and answers) that have come our way about some of the child care rules, regulations and ratings.
The First 2000 Days is an exciting project you should know about . . . and get involved with!
We always welcome your thoughts, reactions and ideas for future issues.
Happy reading!
Deborah Cassidy, PhD |
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Early Education and Child Care MATTERS
We begin EVERY issue with this feature, because it can't be said enough: early education and care truly matter - for children, for families, for communities and for the future prosperity of our society. How encouraging that someone as renowned as the chairman of the Federal Reserve believes that investing in high quality early education is good for the country! Addressing the National Conference of the Children's Defense Fund in July 2012, Ben Bernanke spoke explicitly to the return on investment that early chilhood programs yield:
 | | Ben Bernanke: Investment in Early Childhood Programs Promise Big Returns |
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Intentional Teaching
ExchangeEveryDay, from Child Care Exchange, recently reminded us of Ann Epstein's article
"The Intentional Teacher" in the Beginnings Workshop collection. She observes that the intentional teacher needs to balance both child-initiated and adult-directed activities. Here are
some guidelines to achieve that balance:
Intentional teachers support child-guided learning when children:
- Investigate how things work by actively exploring materials, actions, and ideas
- Establish relationships on their own
- Turn to one another for assistance
- Are motivated to solve problems on their own
- Are so focused that adult intervention would interrupt them
- Challenge themselves and one another to master new skills
- Apply and extend existing knowledge in new ways
Intentional teachers use adult-guided learning when children:
- Are unaware their actions may be unsafe or hurtful
- Have not encountered materials or experiences elsewhere
- Cannot create systems of knowledge (e.g., letter names)
- Are not aware of something likely to interest them (e.g., the smell of flowers)
- Do not engage with something they need for further learning (e.g., shape names in geometry)
- Ask for information or help, especially after trying several unsuccessful solutions on their own
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Supporting Teaching Staff on the Job
 North Carolina's early care and education community has an exciting opportunity this year. We've been selected for a pilot study focusing on professional development and the workplace. We know that our teaching staff are vitally important to providing enriching, nurturing environments for children. This study will tell us how we're doing - and how to do better - at supporting teachers.
The SEQUAL, a new tool developed by the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) at the University of California at Berkeley, assesses how well the workplace supports teaching staff to learn and to continue to develop their knowledge and skills on the job. It is administered directly to teachers and assistant teachers in centers or school-based programs.
Read this article to learn more about the tool (SEQUAL), the pilot study and the opportunities to participate in North Carolina.
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 Highlighting Healthy Early Care and Education
Thirdhand Smoke
We're all pretty familiar with secondhand smoke and how to protect children from it. But what about thirdhand smoke? This is the residue of nicotine and other chemicals left on indoor surfaces by tobacco smoke. It clings to hair, skin, clothes, furniture, drapes, walls, bedding, carpets, dust, vehicles and other surfaces, even long after smoking has stopped. Normal cleaning will not remove it. Infants and children may be at risk of tobacco-related health problems when they inhale, ingest or touch substances containing thirdhand smoke. Researchers are still studying the effects, but they do know that the only way to protect nonsmokers from thirdhand smoke is to create a totally smoke-free environment. Think about that when you consider how your child care environment is used when children are not present.
New Crib Safety Standards
December 2012 is almost here, when all cribs used in child care facilities must meet the new federal safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Academy of Pediatrics have crib regulation details, frequently asked questions, and other resources to help providers make the change.
Finally, don't forget to regularly check the Healthy Child Care Standard of the Month for tips about best practice and practical ideas from your peers. August featured Shaken Baby Syndrome and September's tip is about Feeding Cow's Milk for children in care. Be sure to read the ideas in Learn From Your Peers.
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Be On the Safe Side: Tummy Time for Infants
You've heard the slogan "Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play." We know that placing infants to sleep on their backs on a firm surface reduces the risk of SIDS. However, infants who don't get waking time on their stomachs don't get to exercise their upper body muscles. They also may develop flat spots on the back of their skulls.
Read this article on Tummy Time for pointers on providing safe tummy time in child care. You will find links to additional resources and a Tummy Time Q&A.
In each issue, Be On The Safe Side describes typical situations that could result in harm to children - some obvious, others less so - and offers resources you can use to protect children and avoid the potential risks.
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OCTOBER is Fire Prevention Month
Did you know? Most fires that start inside a home or building
are started by children who are preschool-age or in kindergarten.
In fact, according to 2010 research estimates posted on the National Fire Protection Association website:
- Nearly half (44%) of home structure fires caused by playing when age is a factor are started by someone between the ages of 4 and 6.
- Older children (aged 10 or older) are more likely to start outside fires, while younger children (6 and under) are more likely to start home structure fires.
- Lighters or matches were used to start nearly two-thirds of all fires started by playing.
As partners in educating young children in licensed child care programs across our state, we want to connect providers with resources, games, and information about how important fire safety is to our children. Read more for links to some great tools, tips and resources.
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CPR & First Aid Training: Be a Good Consumer
North Carolina's child care regulations include requirements for staff training in CPR and First Aid. When you schedule your training, be a good consumer! Make sure you follow the guidelines on the Division of Child Development and Early Education website so you get your training from an approved organization. Here are some points to keep in mind:
- CPR and First Aid cannot be taken exclusively online. (Some approved trainings offered online are blended and include a hands-on component.)
- Trainers who are certified by agencies listed on DCDEE's website are approved to provide CPR and First Aid courses to staff in NC licensed child care facilities. Some companies may say "We adhere to ..." or "We follow the guidelines of ..." or "We are compliant with ..." one of the approved agencies, but while their training may be popular and inexpensive, it would not qualify for training credit.
- The trainer you choose must be a certified trainer from one of the approved organizations, or otherwise approved by DCDEE, and should provide you with his or her trainer certification.
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 Ask DCDEE: Frequently Asked Questions about
Child Care Licensing Regulations
This month we have a variety of questions about child care rules and star ratings. Here are the questions (or portions of long ones). Read the full text of each question and answer here.
Q: I have a 13 month old daughter who is enrolled in a local daycare. Recently, due to her constant runny nose, I had requested the daycare teachers to not take her outside to play. I was informed that it is a state law that every child must go outside to play everyday (if weather permits). . . .
Q: For a classroom with 12-18 month old children, are the facilities allowed to have more than one teacher when there are five or six children in the classroom? Since the code/law is 1:6, I am not clear if that means the facility can only have one teacher for every six kids or if it means at least one teacher for every six kids. . . .
Q: Why are "Star Ratings" not listed for each facility on your website?
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The First 2000 Days
A sheriff from Edgecombe County, a military spouse from Lee County, a school superintendent from Harnett County, a pastor from Mecklenburg County and a business person from Dare County - these are some of the North Carolinians featured on a new website that explains why the early years of a child's life have
a lasting impact on later learning, health and success.
 The website address - www.first2000days.org - refers to the time between when a baby is born
and when that child shows up for the first day of kindergarten: it's only 2000 days. We know that children's earliest experiences literally determine how their brains are wired, lay the groundwork for future health, and form the foundation of the social and emotional skills for academic and workplace success.
This website features many and varied voices of North Carolinians speaking out about why early childhood development is important. It offers easy actions you can take to spread the word about the value of early care and learning. Visit the site to listen to the voices and to find so many ways to get involved!
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Parting Thoughts
Today like millions of other Americans
I went to work. I didn't design a beautiful skyscraper,
I didn't write a proposal to save an endangered species,
and I didn't drive a bus or fly a plane,
or write a crucial bill that would someday become a law.
However, I did spend time with some very important people.
I read a story to an attorney,
I sang the alphabet song with a Supreme Court Justice.
I ate lunch with a pastor,
and patted the back of an engineer until he fell asleep.
I taught a policeman how to tie his shoes,
and introduced an astronaut to the color red.
Tomorrow, who knows whom I'll meet,
but one thing is for sure.....
They will be very IMPORTANT
For they are our precious children,
and the hope of our very future.
~ Author Unknown ~ (but very wise!)
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