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June 2, 2014
Consultants Connection
In This Issue
Early Nutrition and Food Experiences
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Dear Great Start to Quality Providers,

This is your bi-weekly touchpoint with the Great Start to Quality Consultants! The focus will be a shared topic that will provide support to each of you in your daily work with young children and families.  Enjoy!

Angie, Dawn, Heather
Quality Improvement Consultants - Eastern Region

 


The School Year is Ending...Now What?!

The first sounds of the children entering your classroom, the unknown environment welcoming them to learning and discovery is several months past.  The children have all learned the routines, explored the environment, taught you and the other children new things, and grown into children ready for new challenges.  Whether it is a transition to a new classroom, a new provider/program, or heading off to kindergarten the children are soon going to be leaving your care and classroom.

The question is:  What do you do during the next few months to prepare yourself for the next group of children you will be welcoming into your classroom?  The first thing to do is to take a week off.  Enjoy a break from the hustle of teaching and take some time for yourself.  After that week, however, it is time to start reflecting on the past year.

Setting aside time for reflection will help you to set goals, make changes, and prioritize what needs to be done before the next school year arrives.  Some things to reflect on are:
  • Did the children feel welcome and safe in the classroom upon immediate arrival?  What could you do to make this better for the children?
  • Was the relationship you had with the parents/families as quality as you would like it to be?  Were you partners in the children's education?
  • Was communication the best it could be?  What other methods of communication might you use next year?
  • Did your team teaching run as smoothly as possible?  What changes can be made to make all teachers in the classroom feel valued and play a critical role in the planning of the classroom and curriculum?
  • What activities did the children really enjoy?  What can you do to provide those opportunities again?
  • What activities did the children dislike?  Why do you think that was?  How can you make changes to possibly interest the children?
  • What were the child outcomes over the course of the year?  What areas are lacking?  What additional items can you do to improve those outcomes in the future?
  • Determine what your training needs are and go to greatstartCONNECT.org to find trainings that will meet your needs. Communicate with your QICs and the Resource Center on additional needs you might have.
  • What skills or ideas do you have that you are willing to share with others? Contact the Resource Center and become a trainer for the summer and share your expertise with others.
Check out this article about reflection practices.  Maybe it will generate some additional ideas for reflection.  

Reflection is at the Heart of Practice

Lastly, enjoy your last days together and have a great summer.  Spend some time celebrating you and all the hard work you do!
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Interested in learning more about Great Start to Quality?

Take advantage of monthly webinars hosted by Great Start to Quality!  The webinars will keep you informed about Michigan's tiered quality rating and improvement system.

The next webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18th
1:00 - 2:00pm
Topic:
  TBD

Did you miss a webinar?  You can view recorded webinars anytime at: 

If you haven't already, please sign up for the Great Start to Quality listserv at http://greatstarttoquality.org/.  Click the "Sign Up" link at the bottom of the home page to get updates and answers to frequently asked questions.


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Need help with the Great Start to Quality STARS system?
Please contact the Resource Center's support team.
  • Toll Free support is available: 1-877-614-7328
  • Our Quality Improvement Specialists are available to help you! 

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 The PQA...


 
The PQA, Program Quality Assessment is the assessment tool identified by the Great Start to Quality program to be used when assessing a program/provider.  The standards listed in the PQA have identified high quality program practices for all children. 
 
Infant Toddler PQA:
IV.  Curriculum Planning and Child Observation
IV-D.  Caregivers plan ways to support individual children.
 
 
Preschool PQA:
IV.  Curriculum Planning and Child Observation
IV-B.  Staff use a team teaching model and share responsibilities for planning and implementing program activities.
 
 
Family Child Care PQA:
 
 

  

***Check your PQA booklets for all Level 5 Indicators***

 ***Contact your local Lending Library to check out a PQA booklet***

  


Pinterest Find of the Week....
                   
       
Make the end of the year as good as the start!  Setting goals and other suggestions.


                                

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Finish-Strong-Setting-Goals-for-Ending-the-School-Year-with-Perseverance-1247483
 
Looking for Training? 


Below is a list of trainings offered for each county.  Trainings are being added often so for more detailed information and to register, go to:

  

Arenac/Bay Counties:

  

S.T.O.P. (Social Emotional Tools/Teaching Overcomes Problem Behavior)

CPR/First Aid

  

Huron County:

  

CSEFEL series

Keeping Our Kids Safe

  

Lapeer County:

 

"Time to Play!  Where are the Adults?"

  

Saginaw County:

    

Why Toddlers Bite
Using & Extending Library Materials
Praise vs Encouragement

Saint Clair County:

  

Let's Talk!  Understanding Speech & Language in Young Children
RELAX:  Alternatives to Anger for Parents and Caregivers
CPR/First Aid

 

Sanilac County:
 
 Understanding Children's Behaviors

  

Tuscola County:

  

Boys & Girls Learn Differently

CPR/First Aid

 

Mail Correspondence and Online:

  

 
 
Have you visited your Lending Library lately?
 
The Eastern Resource Center's Lending Library is a FREE educational resource available to parents and early childhood professionals. We offer themed bins and CARES bags full of learning materials to enhance your classroom or childcare environment for children birth to age 5! Stop by your local Lending Library to check out something new today!  

  

Not sure where your local Lending Library is located?  

  • Click on "Great Start to Quality Resource Centers". 
  • Click "Eastern Resource Center" on the map to find the Lending Library near you!
 
Featured Lending Library Resource
Experience Bin  

  

"UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It's not"

  

~The Lorax, Dr. Seuss

  

  

  

  

      

The Infant/Toddler Garden Experience Bin will hold the attention of many young children.  Check out these materials to supplement lessons on nature, science, observation, gardening, and pretend play.

 

 
How to contact your Consultant:

Angie Pearcy
(Huron, Sanilac, Tuscola)
Email:  pearcya@sisd.cc
Cell:  989-280-0979
  
Dawn Kalkman
  (Lapeer and St. Clair )
  Email:  dkalkman@sisd.cc
  Cell:  989-280-1103

  Heather Rousseau 
  (Arenac, Bay, Saginaw)
  Email:  hrousseau@sisd.cc
  Cell:  989-284-2250