In-House Newsletter
April 2017
Education Specialist
May is almost here and you know that that means…Parent Teacher Conferences! As Education Specialist’s, you will serve as a resource to teachers and an aid to our Program Directors. Start thinking of ways you can support the teachers at your center prepare for their conferences.
Every child in the center should have an up-to-date portfolio and assessment tool, now is a good time to check the portfolios and assessments in your center. Some teachers may need your support with assessments and portfolios, you can find extra trainings in Google Drive > Shared With Me > Assessment and Portfolio. As an Education Specialist you are a resource for teachers in regards to conferences as well. For information and forms on parent teacher conferences you can go to Google Drive Shared With Me > Assessments and Portfolio > Parent Teacher Conferences/Conversations. Be sure to help guide and support your centers staff during this time.
There should be 20 minutes allotted for each conference. It’s important to not rush the parents but we also need to keep on schedule so the conference doesn’t run long. Conferences should serve as an overview of the assessment tool and the child’s development but it is not necessary to go over every point within the assessment. A Parent/Teacher Conversation Tool should be filled out for every child, even those are declines a conference. These tools should include what the child is mastering and things you will be continuing to work on.
Rainbow Rep.
Flowers are beginning to bloom, and birds are chirping each day because Spring is coming! It is time to get outside and enjoy the nice weather and get some fresh air into your lungs!
Each month we will continue to provide ideas as well as general tips for connecting with staff and families. We would also love to hear your ideas and see your hard work! Please send ideas and pictures of completed activities to education@rainbowccc.com.
Staff Connection Idea: "Messy classrooms is where the magic happens!". Springtime is all about spring cleaning, but sometimes it's fun to get dirty! Try to incorporate some messy and fun activities into your classrooms or even try taking that activity outdoors! Use each other as resources as what to do with the children in your class. Dive into some sensory activities that may be outside your comfort zone but you know the children in your class will love!
Don't forget, thursday April 20th is National High Five Day! Be sure to high five each other as you see your fellow staff members throughout the day!
Family Connection Idea: It might be fun to have a local park for your families to go to on a weekend to all hang out and play! You can specify a time when families could show up at designated times such as 2:00 pm-5:00 pm and those who go can have their children play with their friends from school. This is a great way to have your families connect as well as get outside and enjoy the spring weather!
Teacher Appreciation Week- May 1st-5th 2017
It's that time of year again when we celebrate you! It is Teacher Appreciate Week May 1st through the 5th and we want it to be the best week ever!
Your director will be receiving directions and items from the Marketing Department. We want our teachers to know how much they are loved! We are asking that the parents fill out the Work of Love hearts for their child's teachers. If you can help your director by making sure you have enough of the paper hearts that would be helpful and if not, remind your director to order some more for OEX.
For more fun ideas for Teacher Appreciation, check out our Rainbow Child Care Center Pinterest Page https://www.pinterest.com/rainbowccc/teacher-appreciation/
Health, Safety and Licensing Coordinator
Playground Safety
As a child when thinking of fun at school, it was mostly in reference to RECESS! A joyous time for kids to grab some fresh air, imagine, and play while getting in some daily exercise. I can also recall the first time I hurt myself on a faulty swing set. I was a carefree 6yr old with hopes that my swing could push me towards the sky. Instead, I landed face first when the chain holding my swing in place gave way during mid-swing. This resulted in one cracked tooth; three stitches to the chin, and a dental appointment that I’ll never forget. Ouch! What could’ve prevented this incident, though?
Statistics show that each year more than 200,000 kids are treated for playground-related injuries. Injures that could possibly be prevented if given proper inspection and supervision. RCCC believes that with taking certain precautionary measures, we can avoid playground injuries. All while providing our children with a safe environment to play and make memories of their own, safe ones! Listed below are a few key points that can be referenced to ensure that we can make this happen.
Try a weekly Inspection of Playground Equipment
· Check equipment for cracks, bending, warps, rusting, or breakage of any component
· Check metal slides to ensure that they do not become too hot with the sun shining on them
· Check for loose nuts, bolts, and caps or protruding bolts with sharps edges and no caps
· Check for protruding nails on play equipment, tables, and fences
· Check the chains on swings to ensure they are securely attached
· Examine the area for mushroom, poisonous plants , and animal feces
· Check for vandalism, trash, and broken glass
· Check the area for tripping hazards, such as rocks, roots, and exposed footings
· Monitor any fences for thorny plants or vegetation overgrowth
· Check all self-latching gates to ensure they are working properly
· Check equipment for pooling water or beehives
If we are consistent with the usage of this checklist, we can achieve great things as a company. These steps will help us safeguard priority one, our children.