The Ocean Courant~ January 2019
Carelot Children's Center, Inc.
A message from Holly Bevilacqua
Happy New Year to all! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! I know I speak for our Administrative Team when I say that we look forward to a wonderful 2019 working together. Our staff are the heart of Carelot and we couldn't do it without you. Thank you for your committment to Early Childhood Education! 2019 will hold some exciting changes to Carelot- We are working on making your daily activities easier by using your Tablets and Ipads in the classrooms. Our goal is to become more digital allowing less papers to shuffle around and better communication with your families.
In response to many of you, we are revisiting a new payroll system which with the possibility of direct deposit. Please be sure you complete your tax forms as these are necessary for our payroll company- you will also be receiving another document in the next week or two with additional information to make this process a smooth one!
If you have ideas- I would love to hear from you. I am always reachable via email holly@carelot.net or at Ext. 109.
Working together!!!!
Creativity thrives when people work together on a team. Brainstorming ideas as a group prevents stale viewpoints that often come out of working solo. Combining unique perspectives from each team member creates more effective selling solutions.
What you have learned from your individual experiences is entirely different from your coworkers. Thus, teamwork also maximizes shared knowledge in the workplace and helps you learn new skills you can use for the rest of your career.
This Week's Topic- Parent Conferences
Conferences- Last 2 weeks of January 2019!
We will be holding family conferences the end of January with the bulk of them being held On Martin Luther King Day. Be sure to get forms from your Supervisor (found in the conference folder in our Curriculum Originals) These forms and information you will need to hold successful conferences.. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. Take the time to develop these relationships now with your families and they will save you lots of frustration in the future. Listen to the family’s expectations and comments with an open mind and enjoy the opportunity to share ideas and information about each of your special little people.
The key is being prepared. Utilize your planning time over the next week to ready yourselves. Ask questions and use the resources available to you in the resource room, office and in your supervisor’s brains.
** Assessment Checklists are also found in your program books which should be kept in your assessment binders to assist you in assessing the child’s developmental growth. These assessments are filled out at various times throughout the year to have a thorough grasp on the children’s developmental stages. ! See your director if you have any questions.
** Focused Portfolios™ sheets should be gone over when getting ready for your conference and child portfolios will be part of your parent conference.
**Family Conference summary form is to be used AT the conference to document any plans or ideas that come up with you and the child’s family regarding: Classroom ideas, family participation, ideas for future development, etc…
Family Conference Procedure
NAEYC -4.A.02-03, 4.B.01, 7.A.02,03,06
1. Put out “It’s Conference Time” notice to all of your parents. Be sure to give them at least a week to complete and return the forms. Be sure that the return date gives you at least a week to plan a conference schedule.
NOTE: These conferences are MANDATORY for all parents/guardians in our program. Be sure to follow up with all families to ensure compliance.
2. Conference schedules must be proposed to the Director prior to confirming scheduled times with the families. This is to allow for available space for a private conference setting for all teachers. Once approval is given, send home the "Confirmation of Conference" forms.
3. Complete Focused Portfolios Reflection and Planning Form on each of your children. Give yourself time to think about the children’s development and be honest and developmentally appropriate with expectations.
4. Submit Reflection Forms to the Director/Program Coordinator for review and comment.
6. Send out the confirmation time form for the parents once it has been approved by the director.
7. Hold Conference: In a quiet space away from the children or interruptions allowing for confidentiality. CONFERENCES ARE NOT TO BE SCHEDULED IN THE STAFF KITCHEN!
a) THANK THE FAMILY FOR INVESTING THIS TIME IN THEIR CHILD & OUR PROGRAM
b) Give a brief overview of the following: (5 MINUTES)
-Classroom curriculum and learning through play concept.
-Classroom goals and objectives (transition requirements)
- Typical day consists of
- Theme of the week
- Learning Centers (Preschool Only)
- Daily/Weekly Communication format
- Journals and Portfolios (show to date information explain always available)
c) Review Family Conference Forms - both teacher and parent completed (5-6 MINUTES)
d) Set mutual goals and objective for each individual child (4 MINUTES)
e) Be sure to have available information on any problems or concerns reviewed.
f) Hand out PTO Brochure and Family Involvement Form
NOTE: Be sure you get a feeling of partnership from the family members involved.
8. Set up follow up conference if necessary or follow up on any questions or concerns discussed.
9. File the conference forms in the front of the child's portfolio.
· Note: This is a time to go over the developmental growth of the individual child. If there are behavior issues etc that may need more time to discuss, you will need to schedule another conference. These conferences should only be an overview and limited to 15-20 minutes!
This Month at Carelot!
"What do you feel is the best form of communication for our Families and Staff?
Send your responses to : HR@carelot.net by January 25th!
Winner for December was Patty McDonald! Thank you for sharing!!!
January Incentives:
Site Managers/Executive Directors have challenged you all to the Cleanest Classroom Contest! They will be getting the winner breakfast! Judging will take place throughout the month and winner will be announced January 30th!
Start planning for our community helpers weeks - Contest for the best dramatic play kit will take place during these weeks- stay tuned for more details ahead.
Corporate incentive-Best Classroom organization. Get creative and organize away. Send your pictures of your classroom organization and labeling to HR@carelot.net by January 31st. Winner will receive $100 to spend in their classroom! Winner Announce Feb. 2nd! The more entries you send the more chances you have to win. Submit your photos and type January incentive in the subject line.
Happy Anniversary to:
Lorraine from our Clubhouse programs- 12 years!
Matt from our Corporate office- 11 years!
Malorie from our Brooklyn Center- 1 year!
Happy Birthday!
Patty- Corporate- 1/7
Shantea- Killingly- 1/13
Alexis- Killingly- 1/21
A little humor!
Carelot Children's Center, Inc
Email: hr@carelot.net
Website: www.carelot.net
Location: 315 Flanders Road, East Lyme, CT, United States
Phone: (860) 739-1993
Facebook: www.facebook.com/carelotctr