Advocacy Blog #4 Vickie Chedgy

     Early childhood professionals may support families efforts by writing a quick note thanking them for donations or spending time in the classroom.  The teacher can make a mental note of something they heard the parent say and expand on that.  For instance, a parent may be a graphic artist or a computer whiz and the teacher can ask the parent to share their skill for maybe a half an hour.  I know personally my children would feel proud when I was in their classroom, in the elementary years.  My kids didn't have to go to a daycare so I was very lucky.  However, now that I own my own daycare, I see what it needed and that is the connection from home to school and vice versa for the child to feel confident in that there is a continuity in the relationship at home and at their school with those in their lives. 

     I know that in my business, I am always communication with parents via my website, emails, newsletters, texts throughout the day, and even get together, such as a Bunco game I have periodically on Saturday evenings with free childcare if needed ( I incorporate my daughter for this task). The Learning Tree Daycare that I am observing is willing to work with me in how to get the parents more involved.  As I interacted with the director and the three teachers this week at the center, they seem to look forward to my visits and my ideas.  Ever since the Valentine's Day fiasco (I call it a fiasco as only 2 parents showed up to their annual breakfast with their child), the center realizes parents have to get more involved with their children there as the teachers are starting to get agitated and that could reflect on the child without realizing it.

     I learned that the teachers have been more observant about the parent involvement in their classroom since I have taken on this research paper.  We last discussed donations and how it seems as if always the same parents "donate the goods".  I suggested putting in a newsletter gently used items so that all the parents can participate.  In this economy, it is very hard to contribute even for your own family, much less for a classroom.  

     I know for a post office activity or theme, the parents can donate the address stickers they receive from charities as well as envelopes for remittances they don't need.  The parents probably throw these away anyway.  Also, older clothes that can be utilized for the dress up area are always appreciated and it will connect the child to their home one other way.   

     I think that following up is the key to parental involvement.  To ask of a parent to bring something in or to attend something a few weeks in advance is fine, but a teacher can show enthusiasm as the date or task draws near. 

     Lastly, I find myself defending the parent sometimes as the teachers tend to get biased in their feelings of the parents at the center I am observing.  An example of this was when a dad dropped his daughter off and mentioned he had the day off.  I asked why the two teachers didn't ask him to stay and maybe read or hang out with the class.  The teachers looked at me, didn't blink and stated: "Oh no.  He isn't like that." 

Module 3 Blog - Vickie Chedgy

·         How will you address advocacy issues with professionals in your setting?

     I have been addressing my advocacy issue of Parent Involvement, and how to communicate to the parents how and why it is needed.  I have been working with the professionals at the Learning Tree Daycare Center in Island Lake IL by going on a consistent basis, leaving them with information to think about for the next time I visit.  I average visiting around two times a week.  As I leave my own home daycare to visit, I get a lot of insight about my own daycare and what I would like to incorporate.  A big issue is the topic , I learned in my own daycare that I need to incorporate parent involvement.

·          How might you find out more about or possibly become in involved with current advocacy programs in your setting?

     I am and will get more involved with the 4-C agency (Community Coordinated Child Care) of McHenry County.  This is an advocacy agency whose mission is to promote children's well-being by advocating for quality affordable child care (four-c.org).  This agency helps families find quality providers and help with child care assistance.  They help the provider with tools and resources such as provider networking, information on becoming, as well as staying, a provider with trainings, and resources for funding such as grants to upgrade their center or home daycare.

·         What kind of difference would you like to make in your setting, your community, or your field?

     I visited the Learning Tree Daycare Center today for their annual Valentine's Breakfast that they provide for the parents that promotes the parent to stay with their child for breakfast between the hours of 7:30-9:00.  I got there around 8:30 and saw one of the children's  grandfather was there laughing with the children and eating with his grandson whom I had seen before on a previous observation.  I asked one of).  I looked at the centers license and noticed they are licensed for 90 children.  The director had once shared with me they are about 3/4 full which would ballpark enrollment to be around 67 children.  I asked the teacher who was overseeing it, beside the grandfather I saw, how many parents showed up for their breakfast? She stated one.  My mouth dropped.  I feel I would make a difference with utilizing resources I will spell out in my paper for this class as well as getting the center on board with these resources.  That is too sad for two people to be able to stay when I viewed at least 3 dozen children there that I could see in the building.  I would like to show the parents how effective communication will work with the teachers while having effective involvement in their children's classroom that will reflect on their education.

Community Coordinated Child Care. 2007. www.four-c.org.