There are many details and factors to consider when thinking about opening a Family Day Care Home. How will I make it comfortable and welcoming? How will I make it a place where children and families want to come to? How will I decide on the set up of the space and materials? How will I make it a place where children and families can say, “I belong here and I feel welcome!"
These questions will help to guide me through
the process of opening my own Family Child Care Home. Many children spend a
large part of their day in child care, so it is crucial to provide a home-like environment
where families feel comfortable leaving their child/children and where children
enjoy coming to. In order to create a caring and warm environment I will need
to think about how I will make the space a place that is comfortable,
homey, and rich with materials and learning experiences. Having the opportunity
to watch the video, “Welcome to an Anti-Bias Learning Community” gave me the
chance to see how Adriana Castillo set up her family day care home, the
materials she provided, and how she included the families in her program
(Laureate Education, In., 2011).
I want to provide an environment that creates a
sense of wonder which gives children and families the message that this is a
good place to be and that they belong here. I also want to ensure that I create
an anti-bias learning environment where all children and families feel
respected and accepted. Creating an anti-bias
learning environment will reflect the family cultures and the daily lives of
the children (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards 2010). According to Derman-Sparks
& Olsen Edwards (2010) they explained that an environment that is rich in
anti-bias materials invites the children to explore and discover the materials
and the array of learning experiences. I want to ensure that the materials in
the environment are accessible to the children which will empower them to make
choices. Materials included in the environment should respect diversity both
within and beyond their own identity groups (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards 2010).
Materials such as; books, posters, skin
tone art colors, dolls, puzzles, and other materials that are diverse
should be included (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards 2010). According to Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards
(2010) they explained that it can be challenging and at times impossible to find materials that represent
all children, so supplementing purchased materials by making and creating your
own will help to fill the gap with what is lacking.
When developing curriculum, it will be based on
the children’s interests. I will take the children’s lead and think of my role
as a co-learner alongside the children. I will ensure to make anti-bias part of
our day-to-day happenings and avoid what is known as “Tourist Curriculum” (Derman-Sparks
& Olsen Edwards 2010).
When I think about families, it is crucial to build a positive partnerships with them. It is important to share my philosophy of
anti-bias education and ensure that they understand what anti-bias education means. Families are the first and most powerful influence on
children’s development and it is crucial that I work with the families so the children
can grow and develop to their fullest When I watched the video, “Welcome to an Anti-Bias
Learning Community” I loved how Adriana displayed pictures of the children and
their families, kept a communication binder next to the sign it sheet which gives
the parent the opportunity to share information, and how she invites parents to
stay for circle time when children are having a difficult time separating (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). When families enter, there will be photos of the children and
their families displayed on the walls as well the children’s art work. I
want to ensure that the many cultures of the families are represented throughout
the environment. My goal is to create a family day care home where children and families alike feel safe, respected, secure, are involved in decision making, and have the opportunity to connect with one another!
References
Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Laureate Education, Inc., (2011). Strategies for working with diverse children: Welcome to an anti-bias learning community. Baltimore, MD: Author
Hi Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Every investment we make into connecting to children and families will yield a positive benefit to children’s daily experiences in the classroom. We will create the kind of caring community where children feel safe and enjoy the company of adults and other children.
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I want to say I love the artwork that you included. You are right many children spend half of their waking hours in a childcare or preschool program. In the program that I work at a couple of years ago some children were there for 10 hours a day, that is a long time for 3 and 4 years old to be away from home however, some families have no choice. It is my responsibility as a preschool teacher to make a welcoming environment where children and families feel they are safe and belong there. I have learned so much from the resources this week about how to create a warm, trusting, and welcoming environment for children and families. I have changed the materials in my classroom to try to reflect and include all the children’s culture in my classroom; however it is challenging but I have faith that I can do it; I have asked parents for help, providing some materials. To have an effective anti-bias curriculum, you must build positive relationships with the children and their families.
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteYou brought up some important points of working with children and families and children in the home setting.
1) Making the place seem home like and welcoming.
2) Having pictures on the walls of the famlies.
3) Using culturally sensitive materials such as dolls that represent the array of skin tones we have in the world.
I enjoyed your thougthful process in creating your Home Care Center.
Thanks for some great ideas.