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Date: 5/30/2008 6:50:00 PM
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Author:
Alicia
(thisisleesha@hotmail.com)
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Subject:headstart
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On Monday I am starting a new job teaching at a headstart program in Massachusetts. Any with info on how my days will be? I am really excited and in need of a change (and amch shorter commute!)
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Date: 5/31/2008 5:40:00 AM
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Author:
Chris
(vstchris@yahoo)
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Subject:Alicia, I have worked at several Head S...
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Alicia,
I have worked at several Head Starts over the years. Some were really good places and some not so great. The good thing about Head Start (if the agency follows the rules) is that you must have the appropriate number of staff to children. There must be a prescribed curriculum that you adhere to. Certain rules for cleaniness and organization are expected. Parents say is very important. Supplies and materials should not be a problem and best of all you get paid decently and there are benefits. Of course, there are bad agency who steal or misuse the money. They are being monitored better now but I'm sure they can't catch all of them. If your's is a good one they will train you the first day on procedures and routine. Here are some of the highlights that I experienced.
You come to work at least one half hour before the children come. There is a lot of paperwork and the teacher is responsibile for it all. After setting up for the day the children start arriving. There is alway two paid staff and one has to greet parents. That's important because they must sign in. Failure to do so could mean problems if you get audited that day. The other teacher works with the children either monitoring their table play or circle time activites. Next the children eat breakfast. Most Head STarts like family-style eating. It much easier and helps the children learn how to serve themselves. The children set the tables for meals. The children wash hands, eat and then put their dishes away ) usually in a place in the room or on a cart) How you run the day's activities depend on what curriculum you use. It has to be an approved Head Start curriculum. I liked High Scope and Creative Curriculum but I've used other and probably don't even know what some of them are. The curriculum will dictate how your program is run. They will train you on that. There is a specific amount of time the child must spend in outdoor play and this should not be just free play. You are usually required to spend some time doing specific out door activities. In a good program, outdoor activities are set up the same as indoor activitis and kids can go to centers. The kids have lunch family styled and go home if it is a half day program. If it is a full day program they take a nap and wake for a snack and afternoon activities until they go home. Massachusetts is a good EC state. I bet you'll enjoy your job.
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Date: 5/31/2008 5:47:00 AM
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Author:
Chris
(vstchris@yahoo)
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Subject:Oh, I forgot one of the most important p...
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Oh, I forgot one of the most important points. In the most of the half day programs that I worked, the teacher if full time and after the class goes you get a paid lunch and the other 2 hours to plan, prep and do paperwork. As I said, there is a lot of paper work to be done, observations daily, assessments, and other things.
In the full day programs the paperwork is the same but of course you don't get as much time to prep. I did work for an agency that made us work 6 hours for half day classes and we did not get a paid lunch and only one and a half prep. Good Luck!
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