Home Hot Topics Articles Directors' Choice Awards About Us / Contact Us Activities & Curriculum Activities for Outcome-Based Learning Arts & Crafts Music for Learning Recommended Reading Sharing Boards: What Do YOU Think? NEWSlink Current National News Conference Calendar Topics In Early Childhood Education Art and Creativity in Early Childhood Education Job Sharing Board State Licensing Requirements Stay Connected! Each month we'll send you an email filled with articles and ideas for your classroom. Subscribe Now Date: 11/20/2004 7:24:00 PM Author: Ginger (g.still@verizon.net) Subject: Hi Schari- I guess you could say I ha... Hi Schari- I guess you could say I have the best of both worlds. I orginally feared that I would lose the connection with the children by not being with them on a one to one basis all the time. I find that I get to be in the classrooms a lot and the time that I'm in there I get to enjoy the children and interact with them. Clearly I do not have the same connection as their primary caregivers, but one that I'm happy about. I found it very difficult to not have CONTROL over everything. As you can imagine yourself having 17 years experience, you get used to doing things a certain way and you've already gone through the trial and error stage on most things so it's easy to have a strong opinion about something. I have had to learn to back off and let staff experience things for themselves (within reason) and let them do things ways that I might not necessarily have done them. By doing so, I have found that they have some great ideas and its empowering for them as well as me. Between both centers I have 32 staff members. I don't think childcare can ever pay staff what they are worth, but we do try to stay competetive (which is very hard!) I live in Washington and the minimum wage has gone up every year for the last few years. That's not the problem, I'm trying to establish our wages so its as far from the min. as we can reasonably go, but I feel like I'm fighting a somewhat losing battle. It's a catch 22. I staff our rooms in a higher staff to child ratio for a better environment for children (and staff), which of course is more costly. If I reduce the staff and raise the wages (which I could afford to do) then the remaining staff loses. If I keep the staff and increase wages too, then I would have to cut back on supplies, curriculum materials, replacement equipment, etc., all around it bites! As far as turnover goes, I'm doing much better. In the beginning I think my issue was poor hiring decisions. I have learned what I'm looking for by now knowing what I'm NOT looking for. Learning curve for me. I have been very fortunate to find staff that love what they do and are committed to providing a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for the children. Fortunately for me I don't over think things or I may have decided not to move forward. I've gone through A LOT and have had to go through A LOT of growing pains. I've gain valuable knowledge and experience for the whole process. Ginger Name: Email: Subject

© 2007 Excelligence Learning Corporation, All Rights Reserved.