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| Directors' Network News and Notes
February 2011 |
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2011 List of Services |
We've updated our list of services and training topics for 2011! Whether you are in DC, Maryland or Virginia, and if your needs are for staff training, professional development, parent education or consulting - we've got you covered. Please click here to let us know if you'd prefer an electronic or hard copy. Thanks! |
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Director's Challenge |
A 3 year old in an Arlington County public school preschool was suspended for too many potty training accidents.
What do you think? |
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Greetings!
Happy Groundhog's Day!
As you know, Zero to Three's 15th Annual Birth to Three Institute called for proposals last month. Like you, we appreciated the time to reflect on what we think is particularly compelling and timely in the work we do together.
With our good friend and colleague, Barbara Curtis, we decided to revisit the profound and unsettling question posed by Hart and Risely more than ten years ago: "Why, despite best efforts in preschool programs to equalize opportunity, do children from low-income homes remain well behind their more economically advantaged peers years later in school?"
Their findings, since confirmed and expanded upon by others, are clear: some very young children's course is set toward school readiness and success and others not. The difference is not race or socioeconomic class, although it might appear that way at first glance.
The difference in trajectory is the number of words spoken minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day and year after year by the important adults in the infants, toddlers and preschoolers lives.
The number of words spoken is the critical difference.
We would add that the tone, content and relevance are also important. But, ultimately, very young children need more words more than anything else.
As the programs and people with access to the infants, toddlers and preschoolers - and their families - we are in a unique position to set a solid and positive foundation for these young children.
The message Hart and Risley sent us ten years ago is no less important today. The question is, how can we continue to support and inspire frontline staff to talk more?
We hope you'll call and talk more with us! We have a wonderful 3-hour training on oral language development that engages and inspires staff to TALK MORE!
Please continue to let us know how this network can serve you best. Thank you for the work you do.
Yours in conversation,
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 DC:
Lowell School
Pre-Primary Director
KIPP DC
Alumni Servcice Counselor
Mary's Center Director of Child Care Resources
In Maryland:
Sandy Springs Friends School
Head of Lower School
Learn more
ICF International
Early Childhood Education Specialist
Learn more
In Virginia:
ICF InternationalTraining and Technical Assistance for Early Childhood Education Programs Learn more
Northern Virginia Community College
Teacher/ College Instructor |
Center Directors, do you need accounting or tax help? Lori can help!
Many of you enjoyed Lori's workshop at January's Lunch and Learn. Many more of you have expressed an interest in and need for this workshop so we are working with Lori to schedule a repeat workshop in May or June.
Lori O'Brien, CPA of O'Brien Accounting, LLC has over 14 years of experience in accounting, tax and auditing. She is able to help centers with budgeting, cash flow projections, accounting issues, pre-audit preparation, Quickbooks and Procare set up and training, as well as tax preparation for not-for-profits and for-profit companies.
Lori's years of experience and ownership of two child care centers give her a unique perspective in assisting child care and development centers with their accounting and tax needs.
Stay tuned for more details! |
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TIP OF THE MONTH: Employee Referral Program
We think this is a great idea...
"We call all of our staff Community Ambassadors. We encourage them to recommend our program to their friends and families. When a staff person connects a new family with our program, we thank them with a cash bonus. We want staff to be really invested in keeping our program full and we want them to project a positive, friendly image in all venues. We think they would do it anyway, but this seems to give them the incentive they value."
Could it work for your program? |
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Out and About
Staying up-to-date and inspired...
February 16-17, 2011 Sponsored by Northern Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children (NVAEYC) Fairfax County Government Center February 26, 2011 |
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Could you use this news?
Based on the request of a member of our Directors' Network, we are exploring the possibility of conducting a regional salary survey of teachers, teaching assistants, floaters, cooks and other staff.
Could you use a benchmark report to help set the salary schedule in your organization? Are your salaries competitive? Would it be helpful to know for sure where you are on the continuum?
These have been done in the past for our region and, more recently, at a national level. Usually potential staff compare salaries and compensation packages within the region, so we appreciate that perspective in additional to the national studies. Do you?
If you are interested in participating in a confidential salary survey that would result in the publication of a benchmark salary study of child care and early education programs in our region, please email us.
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Lunch and Learn 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
LATE SPRING/EARLY SUMMER - Back by popular demand: Bookkeeping and Budgeting!
SUMMER - Biting in the Center: The Role of the Director
FALL - Creating a Positive and Productive Workplace in Our Centers
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!
May or June - watch for a firm date!
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.
Register here if you'd like to get information about the exact date.
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. |
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