Using the Lending Library to Support Your Goals
In our efforts to continuously improve the quality of care we provide for young children, we all have set goals and created a plan for moving forward. As your Quality Improvement Consultant, we will support you in any way we can. However, we are not able to be by your side every day. That is where our Lending Library resources can be a huge benefit!
The Lending Library is filled with items that you can use in the classroom as well as at home as you learn more about those items you think need improvement. What does that look like? How can these items help me to meet my goals? Take a look below to see how some of your colleagues have accomplished this.......
Goal: Partner with parents in the education and development of their children.
Resource: CARES bags
*These bags are designed to work on individual skills that children are currently working on. The bags include a small manipulative and a book explaining how the parent can interact with the child for skill development. The bags can be sent home with the parents over the weekend and returned the next week.
Goal: Support children in their ability to recall.
Resource: Story Stretchers
*The story stretchers include a book and a manipulative. The story can be read during large group time with the children. The manipulative can be added to the learning environment after the story for the children to use. Place the book and manipulative together and sit with them as the children retell parts of the story and interact with the items.
Goal: Creating a culturally sensitive environment.
Resource: Essential Connections - Ten Keys to Culturally Sensitive Child Care DVD and Anti-bias Curriculum - Tools for Empowering Young Children book and High Scope's Multicultural Programs book
*The video and books can be reviewed when not in the classroom to increase your knowledge of being culturally competent and provide you with strategies for use in your classroom. The books include topics on racial differences, disabilities, gender identity, and holidays. They also take an in depth look at learning to resist stereotyping and discriminatory behavior and working with parents/families. The video addresses how to make the learning environment relevant and offers suggestions on how to seek out cultural and family information.
Goal: Successfully conduct home visits.
Resource: High Scope's Activities for Home Visits
*The book can be used during planning sessions or reviewed on your own time. It includes 40 activities to do while on a home visit with a specific content area in mind. The activities provide you with a list of materials needed, the message to families, and extension ideas for the parents to use at home.
Goal: Implement an approved curriculum.
Resource: Creative Curriculum, High Scope Curriculum, Parents as Teachers
*The lending library has the curriculum guides on hand (multiple copies) for infants/toddlers, preschoolers and home based care. The books can be checked out instead of needing to purchase your own set. Staff can review the books, learn about the curriculum and start implementing parts immediately. Directors can use the curriculum books to conduct staff meetings and support the staff as they begin implementing the curriculum in their classroom.
Goal: Earn the CDA credential.
Resource: The CDA National Credentialing Program and CDA Competency Standards and The CDA Prep Guide
*These books are an excellent resource for anyone interested in or working towards earning their CDA. The Competency Standards book spells out for you exactly what is needed for your professional portfolio and completing the reflective statements of competence. The CDA Prep Guide offers similar supports and includes a sample pre-test for the candidates to take in preparation for their exam.
This list could continue on forever! As you sit and think about your individual, team and classroom goals, stop for a moment and think about what you might need to support you in achievement. Chances are we might have what you are looking for!
There are lending library locations in every county. In addition, we QICs travel throughout the counties on a regular basis and would be happy to bring along or pick up any resources you need. Actually, we plan on bringing resources with us to every visit moving forward. So start thinking about what you might want us to bring along!
We do have a Lending Library catalog that was created in March that lists a lot of the items we have available. Ask your QIC about it and she will email you the catalog!
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