Sharing Web Resources: Part Two

The organization that I am following is the Child Development Network in Singapore for the duration of this course.  After researching and surfing the website, I came across an interesting article in the quarterly newsletter that reflects on a book titled, Extending the Dance in Infant and Toddler Caregiving.  This book is a great resource for early childhood educators that value the importance of developing attachments and relationships with their infants and toddlers, such as myself and I'm pretty sure everyone enrolled in this course. The book balances theory and true, real-life stories, with the assistance of suggested strategies and uses the metaphor "relationship as a dance".  This metaphor promotes secure attachment from a child point of view. I feel that sometimes as early childhood professionals, we tend to forget to view things from a eyes of little people. 

I found this section of the newsletter enlightening because I never thought of caring for infants and toddler as a "dance".  I love the fact that this organization provides resources such as books for caregivers and professionals to read and reflect on. It is very important for early childhood professionals to be partners to families, and to also be specialists in providing all young children with stimulating and secure learning environment.

The Early Years Development Framework:  From Principles to Practice, in the newsletter focuses on the need for more professional training and development.  A 16-hour training course will be provided for early childhood caregivers that will assist with the "unpacking"of the key guiding principles into implementable classroom practices.  Funding is also mentioned in this section of the newsletter.

Here is the link to the newsletter from Sept. 2012

https://app.cdn.gov.sg/Portals/0/imapbuilder/EC%20Digest%20(Jul-Sep%2012).pdf

Getting To Know International Contacts

Well, I finally heard from my London Contact!!  Her name is Jane Burgess and she works with Infants at the Regents Park Nursery in London, England. Jane is not very technology savvy, so our communication will most likely be far and in between!  LOL...  I am very grateful that she did reach out to me though!  I mentioned to Jane that we are discussing poverty this week in this course.  Jane said that, "she wasn't aware of any families in their facility that may be affected by poverty, but they are in tune with the needs of their families and would reach out to assist families if the need was there."  Regents Park Nursery is a Bright Horizons facility, and I was shocked when Jane brought this to my attention, because there are Bright Horizons schools in all parts of America.  This nursery provides breakfast, a two course lunch, and an afternoon tea!  In America that would be an afternoon snack!  Jane also mentioned to me that they serve healthy foods prepared by a chef, in conjunction with a nutritionist.  She stated, "We even grow our own food!"  Jane and I have agreed to contact each other bi-weekly in order to continue our international connection.  

Here is the link to the Regents Park Nursery
http://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/our-nurseries/regents-park-nursery-london/about-this-nursery/overview

Here is a picture of the Toddler Room also!

I'm still patiently waiting to hear back from my contact in Mexico!!!  Be on the lookout!

Sharing Web Resources

CHILD DEVELOPMENT NETWORK IN SINGAPORE

The organization that I have chosen to follow is the Child Development Network in Singapore for the duration of this course.  I am interested in this organization because I am very interested and curious about the focus of early childhood development outside of the US.  The Child Development Network aims to promote quality early childhood care and development in Singapore, with a focus on professional development and research in early childhood. I looked over a newsletter and read that Infant/Toddler care includes bathing in addition to feeding and diapering, at their childcare facilities. According to the newsletter these routines offer one-on-one interaction between the educarer and the child in order to bond and built secure attachments, and to foster language cognitive, and social-emotional development.  I was happy to see many key word that have been used throughout my courses in this degree program.  The bathing of children was very surprising to me. I don't think I have ever heard of anyone bathing children at their facilities, whereas this is the norm in Singapore!

Here is the link to the website I chose:  https://app.cdn.gov.sg/Publications/ENEWSLETTER.aspx

Here is the link to the newsletter I read that provided the information on bathing infants/toddlers:
https://app.cdn.gov.sg/Portals/0/imapbuilder/EC%20Digest%20(Jul-Sep%2012).pdf

 I'm really excited about finding this resource and I can't wait to read more about early childhood care in Singapore! 

Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

Part One:

I have attempted to reach out to two Early Childhood contacts outside the US.  One of the contacts is in Veracruz, Mexico and the other contact is in London, England.  I have not received a response as of yet, but I feel confident that these contacts will follow up with me.  Both contacts are people that I have met through associates of the Children's Courtyard.   I can't wait to hear from them!


Part Two:

I have chosen NACCP (The National Association of Child Care Professions) as my early childhood organization that supports the early childhood community and the resources it offers.   I have chosen this organization because I am not only a member of this organization, I am also a validator for this organization!  The mission states:  NACCP is committed to strengthen the skills of owners, directors, administrators, emerging leaders and other professionals who are dedicated to early care and education (NACCP, 2012).  My school is accredited through NAC, the accreditation process that stands firm on doing what's best for the "whole" child. 
NACCP is the nation's leader among associations serving child care owners, directors, and administrators. The organization's goal is to improve, enhance and strengthen the credibility of the people who lead the child care industry by providing membership services and benefits.