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| Directors' Network News and Notes
August 2010 |
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Director's Challenge |
Effective Communication
...from the director's perspective...
Take the survey! |
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Greetings!
We have enjoyed talking to many of you who are planning your professional development days in the late summer. Offering training is one important way you support professionalism in your staff. Be sure to check the results of last month's poll on the topic and take this month's survey (Director's Challenge, on the left).
In a similar poll, we asked teachers about their stress on the job and can you guess what their top issues are? Inconsistent application of policies and strained communication with their teaching partner or families. Yikes.
Thank you, Julie Shuell (NCCIC/ICF), for encouraging us to get the word out about the Innovation for the Next Generation conference in DC later the week. We hope to see many of you there - let us know if you are going and we'll try to connect!
Do you have the inside scoop on an upcoming event, large or small? Let us know and we'll help make sure all the directors and administrators are in the know, too.
Please continue to let us know how this network can serve you best. Thank you for the work you do,
Amy and Candace
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| Career Opportunities for Directors and Administrators
Of course, we hope you love your job. It can be inspiring to consider the opportunities are available to smart, capable leaders in our region...
In Maryland...
Kiddie Academy (Elkridge)
Director
In Virginia
Fairfax County Office for Children
School Readiness Coordinator
Learn more
NACCRRA Parent Liaison Specialist
ICFEarly Childhood Education Specialist
In Washington, DC
Early Childhood Education Instructional Specialist
Share our Strength
National Manager of Early Childhood Programs
Learn more
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TIP OF THE MONTH: Achieving and maintaining professionalism with staff...
The best advice I have for other or new directors about helping staff be as professional as they need to be is...
"Be really clear in orientation and give examples. But be sure to say that the list isn't exhaustive!"
"Don't let it slide. I don't think directors like confrontation but you aren't doing yourself or your staff (or the families and kids) any favors if you let issues of professionalim go."
TRENDS IN THE NETWORK: You are most often challenged by staff who...
- Have poor eye contact and/or roll their eyes.
- Dress inappropriately.
Gossip with or about parents. |
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Out and About
Staying up-to-date and inspired...
An interdepartmental early childhood meeting with DOE and DHHS. Objectives include to improve collaboration and partnerships at the federal, state and community levels in support of integrated early childhood systems.
Washington, DC
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News You Can Use
Did you know 36% of center-based child-care programs include TV, for an average of 1.2 hours a day, and 70% of home-based child-care programs include TV for an average of 3.4 hours per day? YIKES!!
In late July, the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood sent a letter signed by 70 leading early childhood educators, pediatricians, and child development experts urging NAEYC to join the American Academy of Pediatrics and the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity in taking a strong stand for limiting screen time in the lives of young children. The letter included a list of research-based recommendations we all hope NAEYC will adopt, including that young children have little or no exposure to screen technologies in child-care, preschool or kindergarten settings.
How could you share this information with your teachers and families?
Researchers McCabe and Frede say building social skills needs to be central to all early childhood program curricula. "Parents often think it's the academic skills that are critical to their children's success when they enter kindergarten but if you talk to a broad sample of kindergarten teachers, as researchers have done, the social skills turn out to be more important at that age," says Frede.
In this article, find a list of programs that emphasize social and emotional development and are backed up be research.
How is your social and emotional curriculum working? Would you recommend it to your peers? Are you considering making a switch? |
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Lunch and Learn 2010-2011 Series
Please join your peers for a series developed just for Directors and Program Administrators.
FALL - Developing Staff: Building Your Team
WINTER - Bookkeeping and Budgeting
SPRING - Organizing the Directors' Office
SUMMER - Biting in the Center: The Role of the Director
12:30-2 pm
Developing Staff: Building Your Team
Support and inspire your staff so that they can form strong, supportive teams in classrooms, with families and throughout your center. You'll leave with concrete ideas that you can implement immediately.
January 12, 2011
12:30-2 pm
Bookkeeping and Budgeting for Directors and Program Administrators
The children keep us motivated but our finances keep the center doors open! Our special guest speaker is both a CPA and the owner of two child development centers in Northern Virginia. She knows who we are, how our industry operates and exactly what we need to know to keep our books in good order.
March 16, 2011
12:30-2 pm
Organizing the Director's Office: Tips to Save Time and Reduce Stress
Our speaker has over 20 years experience as a leader in education and is a certified, professional organizer. She'll offer creative and practical ideas to help organize your desk, files and office. You'll leave feeling inspired and empowered!
Register now - space is limited
June 15, 2011
12:30-2 pm
Biting in the Center: The Role of the Director
We regularly train teachers and talk to parents about responding appropriately to biting in early childhood classrooms. There is a critical role that the Director can and should play in individual incidents and systemically. Learn how to be the most appropriate, supportive and effective when dealing with this sensitive, timeless issue.
This series is offered as a courtesy to our Directors' Network, directors and program administrators in the DC/VA/MD region, at no cost to you. |
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