Back on Track

We all seem to be back on schedule today... and that is an awesome thing!

We started an experiment today. We put these white carnations in water with food coloring . We talked about how plants outside drink water and discussed how we thought these plants might change colors. It will be interesting to watch the change!

We had visitors today. They were here for training again.

William enjoying a good book ! The boys busy in the art center .

Orrin painting for his mom.

Andrea exploring the water table .

G and Rosanna found a new way to use our Valentines picks. The turned them into people and used playdoh to put clothes on them. CREATIVE!



Noah put together all our " hearts" puzzles that we made from a deck of cards. Then.. he put them all in order - he even knew how to put the jack, queen and king in line. He said he learned that " from playing solitaire on the computer with my mom. "

In small groups today we played with paint chips. I told the kids the story of a man that was a painter . He was going to paint a house PINK. He was walking out the door with his paint and fell down the stairs and got his paint all mixed up. First we sorted out the light and dark pink. Then together we worked to put them in line from lightest to darkest.

Even with the visitors here today we were able to be in our normal routine and well.. that makes this preschool teacher very happy.

Visitors

Once a year we have reviewers come in to make sure we are providing a quality learning environment for our children. We usually do fairly well. They are unannounced. We get a 6 week window that they can come in. Not long ago Marcy ( far left ) called and asked could a group of them come to do a mock review for training. Marcy is a huge advocate for family child care and a friend, how could I say no? Today was the day. Today they actually reviewed on a scale called ECCRS ( not FCCRS ) which is what they use for a center type setting. I have never studied that manual since I am not a center and it was practice for them anyway. I have no idea how we did. They counted books and soft toys and listened to the way we spoke to the children. They watched handwashing procedures and bathroom times. They even went outside with Randy and his small group. All in all I think the day went well - no one cried, yelled or puked- not even me.

The kids played with the woodland animals in the puppet stage.

Noah and G are genius' with this magnetic cube. It comes all to pieces. I cant even put it back together but they can.

I went to walmart late last night and as usual found myself in the toy area. SURPRISE! I found these woodland families. We put them on the table on a camo type material with some pinecones ( pretend trees without leaves ) and made homes. I loved listening to the kids make up stories as they played with them

We sorted nuts

In small groups today we played " what's missing" with the color bears. We counted them and talked about the colors and then the kids closed their eyes. I took a bear away and they tried to remember which one is gone. Then we played " feed me" I took two bowls and a skunk puppet and a raccoon puppet. A puppet would ask a child to feed him a certain number of nuts. The child would use the tongs or the spoon to feed the correct number of nuts to the animal. Not only was this a math activity ( counting) but it was also fine motor and following directions.

Noah helping lead storytime.

It was a good day. It all went well. If you look at our activities today - we did the same things we normally do. All inspections cause a LITTLE anxiety but shouldnt create a lot if you arent just " taking the test." If you do it every day... everything falls into place when you need it to.

Animals in the Woods

The kids have been out for a few days for snow and icy roads. They were excited to get back today.

Who's idea was it to bring in the styrofoam packaging ? ? The little styrofoam balls are EVERYWHERE and they STICK TO EVERYTHING.

But look at the lap top one of the kids made. BRILLIANT !

Daniel cutting out his hand. If you look closely you can see styrofoam in his hair

Today we read " The Kissing Hand." It is a wonderful story about a raccoon not wanting to leave his mother and go to school. She places a kiss in his hand so he can carry her love all day. After reading about Chester the raccoon we traced our hands and cut them out to make this predicable story chart.

Luckily bears live in the woods too so we can still use our bears songs that the kids love so much and tell our favorite stories. Today I used these props to tell Goldilocks and the kids loved it.

Tomorrow we have special visitors coming. You know that once a year I have an inspection or review that looks at gazillions of little indicators of quality care. ( Thankfully they don't check to see if I make up words like gazillion. ) But really.. it covers a LOT . Not only the toys and types of toys I have out but things like language with the kids and health and hygiene . It is so particular that you have to COUNT toys. For instance, there has to be 2 soft toys per child. So, if I have all 16 kiddos here I would need 32 soft toys out. Soft toys are things like puppets, dolls, etc... Usually they just show up - we never know other than a 6 week window they give us. This time the lady in charge called and asked could she come do a " mock" review with two or three others so she can train them. GREAT..... ( Too bad you cant read sarcasm.) I mean, I am ready but those days are filled with anxiety. Everyone want to do their best and that is always the day that if something is going to go terribly wrong - it will. So , with that said, when you come in if you see visitors here you will know who they are. They spend pretty much the whole day with us. If your child is sick PLEASE keep them at home. Every time they wipe their nose they have to wash their hands and the same goes for us... It will be a busy day but I am encouraged. We always learn so much from them.

Till tomorrow!

Rainy Day Toys

Rainy days for many programs means MOVIE TIME! Not for us ! In a quality program we are required to have ATLEAST one hour gross motor play . If it is too cold or too wet to go outside we have a box inside with rainy day toys. These toys are toys that promote 9 gross motor skills such as throwing, hopping, balancing etc...A lot of thought was put into this box. It doesnt come out very often so when it does the kids really enjoy it.