| The key to any effective, positive, quality | | | | and continue to find new ways to nurture children |
| childcare program is ...... you guessed it the | | | | and their families. |
| "teacher". | | | | Effective childcare teachers understand that child |
| Over the years it has completely amazed me | | | | care ratios are important and need to be |
| how parents are so in tune with what's going on | | | | maintained in order to provide a quality program. |
| at your daycare even though they spend so little | | | | Teachers who run over their numbers often |
| time there. Perhaps 5 minutes when they drop | | | | become stressed-out and struggle to provide |
| off their child or 5 minutes while picking up. Many | | | | loving care to those children they care for. |
| parents use their intuition and gut feelings to | | | | Effective teachers break-up their classes/centers |
| determine if your daycare is a good place for | | | | into small activity based areas. For example: Small |
| their child. | | | | Motor, Large Motor, Kitchen Area, Computer, |
| With this in mind, I decided to list some | | | | Dramatic Play, Arts and Crafts, Sand Table. The |
| characteristics of an effective child care teacher. | | | | list goes on. Children have the ability to select |
| Keep these points in mind for future evaluation. | | | | which activity they want to engage in. |
| Effective childcare teachers have specialized | | | | Effective teachers have warmth, communicate |
| training in early childhood. They have completed all | | | | warmly with children and their families, allow |
| their competencies and consistently educate | | | | children to express their feelings, and in general |
| themselves regarding their field. They love children | | | | work with parents in a partnership. |