|
|
| Directors' Network News and Notes
October/November 2010
|
|
|
|
|
Director's Challenge
|
Financial Management
...from the director's perspective...
Take the survey! |
|
|
Greetings!
Happy Autumn! Did September and October seem to move as quickly for you as they did for us? In addition to welcoming children and successfully launching the 2010/2011 year, you also provided innovative staff development days. It was a pleasure to be a part of many of them.
You'll be reading this newsletter on the first school day of the 'fall back' time change. The extra hour of sleep, family time, or relaxing this weekend was wonderful - but the lack of evening light can be disconcerting. How does the rhythm of your center change as days get shorter? How do you ensure plenty of outside and/or gross motor play for everyone? We'll be asking you about this and sharing ideas over the next few months - until we all notice the days lengthening again. Your center might also feel the impact of many families celebrating winter holidays. What is your strategy for celebration and reflection of the families you serve? How do you and teaching staff mark the season and the new year? We wish you many calm moments among the busy joys of the late fall/early winter season.
Please continue to let us know how this network can serve you best. Thank you for the work you do, Amy and Candace
|
|
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...
Stone Ridge of the Sacred Heart
Child Care Center Director
Teach for America (Baltimore)
Managing Director
Northern Virginia Community College
The Congressional Schools of Virginia
Extended Hours Supervisor/Camp Personnel Director
In Washington, DC
Catholic University, The Department of Education
Faculty Position in Early Childhood Education
DCPS
Family Care Coordinator
|
TIP OF THE MONTH: Delegation
One of the hardest things for us to do! But when we delegate we empower our team we prevent the job dissatisfaction that comes from lack of challenge and engagement.
The best advice I have for other or new directors about delegating effectively...
- "Pick somebody who has a strong track record with smaller tasks."
- "Delegate incrementally - increase the amount of responsibility or number of tasks after checking in with your delegate."
- "Make sure that the delegate has the right knowledge and right tools to be successful."
- "Be really clear about what success will look like - people can't meet expectations unless you define them."
- "Be available but hold your delegate accountable!"
"TRENDS IN THE NETWORK: You are most often see the results of family stress...
- When drop offs change for the worse - families running late and forgetting stuff and being short with us and their kids.
- Simple things (like remembering diapers or crib sheets) start to seems really hard for parents.
You are the source of the tips! Please take this month's survey: Financial Management. Check back in December to learn from your peers.
|
|
Out and About
Staying up-to-date and inspired...
Washington, DC
November 10, 2010
The NCM Launch Zone
112 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, MD
|
|
News You Can Use
"The Tools of the Mind (Tools) Curriculum improves executive functions in preschoolers in regular classrooms with regular teachers at minimal expense."
Executive function, cognitive controls, are very important for success in school and life. This study points to the benefit of explicit, play-based instruction of these skills.
Regardless of the curriculum you use, how do you support executive functioning in children?
"Boss Teacher or Lead Teacher?" William Glasser's 7 Connecting Habits:
7 Deadly Habits of "Boss Teachers"- Criticizing
- Blaming
- Complaining
- Nagging
- Threatening
- Punishing
- Rewarding to control
7 Connecting Habits of "Lead Teachers"- Caring
- Listening
- Supporting
- Contributing
- Encouraging
- Trusting
- Befriending
How are we supporting the Lead Teacher habits in all or our teachers? What else could we do? What is our tolerance for Boss Teachers? Why?
|
|
Lunch and Learn 2010-2011 Series
Please join your peers for a series developed just for Directors and Program Administrators.
WINTER - Bookkeeping and Budgeting
SPRING - Organizing the Directors' Office
SUMMER - Biting in the Center: The Role of the Director
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.
Register now - space is limited
September 21, 2011
12:30-2 pm
Creating a Positive and Productive Workplace in Our Centers
For teachers and directors, the differences between a positive and productive center and a negative and destructive can be ticked off readily: high absenteeism, lots of gossip, little trust, low motivation, cliques and zero teamwork OR few call-outs, collaboration, laughter and joy, solid energy, fluid and positive teams. What kind of center to you want to lead? Come share your strategies or gather ideas from your peers!
Register now - space is limited
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
