One in five Queensland child care centres fail to meet standards, says report

http://www.news.com.au/one-in-five-queensland-child-care-centres-fail-to-meet-standards-says-report/story-e6frer7o-1226022037333?from=public_rss

Childcare burnout, a reminder to keep going when it get's tough (don't just become a statistic)

An estimated of 30–40 per cent of childcare professionals leave the field, often due to burnout arising from factors such as long hours, isolation, low pay and lack of respect.  

Will you become one of these statistics?

Or will you rise up and above minimum requirements and 

resolve to find inspiration to keep going, 

to find joy in the journey and pleasure in the present 

(even amidst the struggle for professionalism and quality practice) 

and remember to search for love to

 pass onto children by finding fun in the little things of life?

When you look at a child 
(or parent or colleague); 
Don’t quit. 
Don’t quit in the quest to be courageous with your actions 
(even if you feel afraid), 
to be honest in all your interactions 
(even when it’s not the easiest course), 
to embrace truly inclusive practices 
(even for the times when it’s just plain well easier not to step with the shoes of Empathy) 
and to respect all individuals simply because of their humanity regardless of the personal cost 
(even if you’re grinding your teeth in the process). 
Don’t quit. 
Just remember,...
don’t quit.

The original poem:

The Don't Quit presentation is based on a famous poem which was written many years ago. The author of this poem is unknown. Sadly, in recent years a number of people have claimed ownership of the poem and some have even claimed to have written it themselves!
Here is the original poem in it's entirety:
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
- Author unknown

http://www.thedontquitpoem.com/thePoem.htm

Suggested Resource:

Finding your smile again: A child care professional’s guide to reducing stress and avoiding burnout

Retrieved from: http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/shop/details.cfm?prodid=582

Author(s): Jeff A. Johnson  Published: 2007  162 pages With estimates of 30–40 per cent of childcare professionals leaving the field, often due to burnout arising from factors such as long hours, isolation, low pay and lack of respect, this book is a timely resource for all. With humour and empathy, experienced care provider and former centre director Jeff Johnson addresses the common stressors and challenges, providing proven techniques for coping with stressful situations and diagnosing and preventing burnout. The symptoms of burnout are explored, together with the impact of burnout on attitudes in the workplace, personal relationships and health. The issue of early childhood workers spending more time and energy caring for others than themselves is identified, along with the steps needed to initiate change. Take action to overcome a possible slide into burnout by making different choices, in areas such as getting support and feedback, paying attention to diet and exercise and learning to let go. Become the carer with the smile again!
ECA Code: SUND253
Price: $45.95	All prices are in Australian Dollars

What is intentional teaching in Early Childhood practice?

Watch...

Talking about practice: Intentional teaching

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/eylfpl/intentional_teaching_and_the_early_years_learning_framework.php 

How to Use this e-Learning Video:

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/eylfplp/EYLF_Intentional_Teaching_docs.pdf

Zero to Three: Early Experiences Matter

"ZERO TO THREE is a national [American] , nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers.

Our mission is to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers."

http://www.zerotothree.org/

Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL)

"The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) is focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5."

Routines and Transitions in Childcare

"There are at least two kinds of transitions in young children’s experience:
1) Major transitions, such as children entering child care, preschool or school
2) Moving from one segment or part of the day to another."
– ‘Transitions’ by Anne Stonehouse http://www.rch.org.au/emplibrary/ecconnections/FS20_transitions.pdf

This post provides resources about the second kind of transition that is part of the daily routine.  I'm new to this so please any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

But why transitions? 

Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning:
Helping Children Make Transitions between Activities
http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/briefs/wwb4.pdf


Other helpful reading material: 

Transitions
http://www.rch.org.au/emplibrary/ecconnections/FS20_transitions.pdf

  
Handling transitions
By Raising Children Network
http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/transitions.html

Child Care Lounge:
Terrific Transition Times for Daycare or Child Care
http://www.childcarelounge.com/activity/transition-times.php

Fact sheet:
Routines and Transitions in Childcare
http://www.noahsark.net.au/PDF/Routines_Transitions.pdf
  
Need Help With Transitions!
http://www.aussiechildcarenetwork.com/viewtopic.php?p=83

Great Transition Ideas 
(from the satellite workshop “Active Times – Quiet Times: making transitions easier”)
http://betterkidcare.psu.edu/PDFs/GreatTransitionIdeas.pdf

Or search ‘routines and transitions’ at http://www.zerotothree.org/


Other related topics:
Preschool
Fingerplays, Action Poems, Nursery Rhymes, and Songs
http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/preschool-rhymes.htm

From a child's eyes

‘Children are effective

communicators when

they ... engage with

technology for fun

and to make meaning’

(EYLF p. 44) *

 This is how Little J sees his world...

from a child's eyes...

 

 Yesterday we were at this African shop and Little J was getting bored so I redirected Little J by letting him 'take' his own photographs.

With this experience Little J was totally engrossed and absorbed 

showed by his obvious interest level and concentration so

because of this he talked and chattered less often than he usually 

does. These (below) are the following photos that little J (3 years 

and 7 months) 'took' by showing me what he wanted to photograph 

and pressing the button while I held the camera: 

 

Oops Hoohoohoohoo (don't touch) , yum yum yum!

 

Hmm, 

now let's go outside...

 A walkway between two shops that goes to the drive in:

Brick textures, exploring close up: 

"What next?" 

Almost touching the bricks, little J points to show me

"That? okay..."

"...Ooops, you turned the camera off! Look this is the off and on button, see. 

Here's the other button to take the photo, okay."

Little J tries very hard as he is still adjusting to the feel of how to press the button. 

(Great for practicing  fine motor control! )

Observing our reflections in the shop window:

(sorry the first one is sideways it wasn't taken like that)

"What next?" 

"The road / cars"

"Like this?"

"Yes"

"Okay, are you going to take the photo again?

Ready to press the botton?"

Next Little J walks over to the post and indicates it to be the next photo

"That? Okay."

Looking up Little J says "Big, Make it big"

For the next shot Little J looks up and is attracted to the sparkly decorations that he notices (see the top of the photo) then walks up to the outdoor eating place running his hand along the dividers and specifically pointing them and the umbrella out to be in the next photograph.

I hold the camera as he takes his next photo.

"That one next? Okay"

I'm in a hurry and we're about to go so that's why Little J didn't get to press the button on the camera this time. But the authorship and idea is all his. 

(No, he's not reading so he didn't know what the advert was saying. 

And Yes, I'm aware that giving out Easter eggs is a childcare no no.)

In this one I'm going with Little J's spontaneity and following his direction and lead in what photograph to take.

Finally we climbed in the mini bus tired but engaged and no longer bored. 

This experience provided Little J with great fun by engaging with technology to make meaning of his world, meaning from a child's eyes.

Thanks Little J for helping me see through your eyes!

* See the following EYLF newsletter 'Learning Outcomes' in PDF for more details:

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/eylfplp/newsletters/EYLFPLP_E-Newsletter_No6.pdf