Winterize your car to safely transport children

The winter season is approaching very quickly and one wants to make sure that the car is winterized while transporting children and for yourself as well.  Here are some tips to consider in preparing your vehicle for colder temperatures.

1.      Check your tire pressure, inflation, with adequate tread depth,

2.      Make sure oil is at proper level and changed at required mileage,

3.      Check battery is ensured proper charged,

4.      Check engine coolant (antifreeze) level, and

5.      Keep gas tank full in colder month.

Also, prepare a winter driving kit that stays in the car.

1.      Blanket

2.      Shovel

3.      Hat

4.      Jacket

5.      Gloves

6.      Boots

7.      Bottle water

8.      Hand warmers

9.      Snacks

10.  Flashlight with extra batteries

11.  Cell phone – charger

12.  Booster cables

13.  Ice scrapers

14.  Abrasive 

If you follow the above lists your car should be ready for the winter weather and keep the children safe to and from destinations.  Car preventive maintenance is the best way to prepare in the future months. 

North Carolina changes for staff qualifications

The North Carolina Child Care Commissioners review, hold public comment sessions, and either pass or reject proposed changes for daycare at-large.  There are several sections proposed-changed and one was 10A NCAC 09.2903 Staff Qualifications were more detailed information can be viewed at http://childcare.dhhs.state.nc.us/general/mb_ccrolespublic.asp  

Here are some of the components of the changes that were amended effective March 1, 2014.

1.      Each center serving children ages birth to three years shall have a minimum of one staff who holds an Infant Toddler Family Specialist certification issued from the North Carolina Division of Public Health; Birth-through-Kindergarten (BK) Standard Professional I licensures; or provisional licensure in BK issues from the Department of Public Instruction.  This staff shall provide program oversight and supervision for any caregivers in classrooms with children ages birth to three years. 

2.      During the 185 day school year each child aged three years old and older on or before the initial school entry date shall be served in a classroom with at least one teacher who holds a BK Standard Professional I licensure or provisional licensure in BK or Preschool Add-on licensure issued from the Department of Public Instruction.

3.      Children who turn three years old after the school entry date who are identified as a child with a disability as evidenced by an Individualized Education Program (IEP), shall be served with a BK licensed teacher.

4.      Center administrators shall have a Level III North Carolina Early Childhood Administration Credential and two years of verifiable work experience with children with developmental delays or disabilities.

After viewing the website and you are unable to attend any of the public comment sessions, contact members to share your thoughts to be taken under consideration.  Your voice is important to ensure that proposed changes that may or may not become rule are understood by those who will have to implement and/or reinforce them.  Knowledge is powerful.

Article: The Power of Documentation in Early Childhood Classroom

After reading the article, “Creating Print Rich Learning Centers” click link http://www.naeyc.org/files/tyc/file/Seitz.pdf, reflect on your thoughts and how you would implement listed ideas in your classroom.  As part of your reflection, cite which Standard(s) 1-5 and element(s) using NC Teaching Evaluation Process booklet and/or Resource Manual for Administrators and Principals Supervising and Evaluating Teachers of Young Children.  Also, relate to NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development to domain, goal and developmental indicator.

Here are some photos taken during observations that relate to “the power of documentation” learning environment.