Open Discussion Forum

Hello, I am wondering how programs effectively utilize staff to decorate their ECE classrooms, while still maintaining effective scanning of the room and ensuring the children are engaged - playing safely, and are getting adequate attention?  Does anyone have advice how to allocate this time during working hours, or are some people paying staff to do it when the centre is closed?

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Maria
ECE FLoater
North Vancouver BC
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I guess I need to know what you mean by "decorate?"  In my opinion, the room should be "decorated" with children's work, including artwork, teacher/child-made charts, real photos, etc. This happens with and by the children with adult support. I think we always need to remind ourselves that early care and education settings should look like a home, not like a school.

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Cathy McAuliffe, PhD
Adjunct Professor
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Bentonville, Arkansas
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-19-2021 04:20 PM
From: Maria Slichter
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

Hello, I am wondering how programs effectively utilize staff to decorate their ECE classrooms, while still maintaining effective scanning of the room and ensuring the children are engaged - playing safely, and are getting adequate attention?  Does anyone have advice how to allocate this time during working hours, or are some people paying staff to do it when the centre is closed?

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Maria
ECE FLoater
North Vancouver BC
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Hello, to clarify - decorating for special holidays, for example Chinese New Year, Christmas, etc.  Hanging things on the wall/from the ceiling and making art pieces that correspond with holidays.  Thank you for your advice, it's very helpful and I appreciate it.

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Maria Slichter
ECE
Parkgate Society
North Vancouver BC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2021 08:57 AM
From: Cathleen McAuliffe
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

I guess I need to know what you mean by "decorate?"  In my opinion, the room should be "decorated" with children's work, including artwork, teacher/child-made charts, real photos, etc. This happens with and by the children with adult support. I think we always need to remind ourselves that early care and education settings should look like a home, not like a school.

------------------------------
Cathy McAuliffe, PhD
Adjunct Professor
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Bentonville, Arkansas

Original Message:
Sent: 02-19-2021 04:20 PM
From: Maria Slichter
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

Hello, I am wondering how programs effectively utilize staff to decorate their ECE classrooms, while still maintaining effective scanning of the room and ensuring the children are engaged - playing safely, and are getting adequate attention?  Does anyone have advice how to allocate this time during working hours, or are some people paying staff to do it when the centre is closed?

------------------------------
Maria
ECE FLoater
North Vancouver BC
------------------------------

In regards to decorating for holidays, I don't really decorate for that except for children's artwork. I will decorate my door but that is done either before or after working hours or if ratio is low and I can combine my kids with another class.  All my prep is done during nap and/or at home. I have done a hand print tree in the class that I had the children help me with.

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Lisa Wall
Greenfield IN
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2021 12:29 PM
From: Maria Slichter
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

Hello, to clarify - decorating for special holidays, for example Chinese New Year, Christmas, etc.  Hanging things on the wall/from the ceiling and making art pieces that correspond with holidays.  Thank you for your advice, it's very helpful and I appreciate it.

------------------------------
Maria Slichter
ECE
Parkgate Society
North Vancouver BC

Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2021 08:57 AM
From: Cathleen McAuliffe
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

I guess I need to know what you mean by "decorate?"  In my opinion, the room should be "decorated" with children's work, including artwork, teacher/child-made charts, real photos, etc. This happens with and by the children with adult support. I think we always need to remind ourselves that early care and education settings should look like a home, not like a school.

------------------------------
Cathy McAuliffe, PhD
Adjunct Professor
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Bentonville, Arkansas

Original Message:
Sent: 02-19-2021 04:20 PM
From: Maria Slichter
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

Hello, I am wondering how programs effectively utilize staff to decorate their ECE classrooms, while still maintaining effective scanning of the room and ensuring the children are engaged - playing safely, and are getting adequate attention?  Does anyone have advice how to allocate this time during working hours, or are some people paying staff to do it when the centre is closed?

------------------------------
Maria
ECE FLoater
North Vancouver BC
------------------------------

I also would like some clarification on "decorating" the classroom. Keeping the classroom environment aesthetically pleasing, without clutter , and child size furniture is of top priority. Real life pictures, family photos, and/or  beautiful artifacts that relate to a particular theme, should alway be a part of the environment. I teacher in a preschool and at church. There  is a mark difference in each setting. I do feel that putting "extra" on the walls or in the classroom might be more for the adults instead of children. Do they really benefit from decorating the classroom?  Is this a requirement? Also, when the children are present, the teacher's  main focus should be with the children. 
Respectfully,
~Juanita 

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Juanita Collier
Preschool teacher
Nashville TN
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2021 08:57 AM
From: Cathleen McAuliffe
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

I guess I need to know what you mean by "decorate?"  In my opinion, the room should be "decorated" with children's work, including artwork, teacher/child-made charts, real photos, etc. This happens with and by the children with adult support. I think we always need to remind ourselves that early care and education settings should look like a home, not like a school.

------------------------------
Cathy McAuliffe, PhD
Adjunct Professor
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Bentonville, Arkansas

Original Message:
Sent: 02-19-2021 04:20 PM
From: Maria Slichter
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

Hello, I am wondering how programs effectively utilize staff to decorate their ECE classrooms, while still maintaining effective scanning of the room and ensuring the children are engaged - playing safely, and are getting adequate attention?  Does anyone have advice how to allocate this time during working hours, or are some people paying staff to do it when the centre is closed?

------------------------------
Maria
ECE FLoater
North Vancouver BC
------------------------------

I decorated with the children but did find it hard to find time to rotate toys/books etc. We had additional materials in closets and changed center contents as needed. We swapped out puzzles and manipulatives, additions to the block area (people, animals, vehicles), books, prop boxes for dramatic play, the science area and art materials on a regular basis depending on the projects/activities we were using. I liked going in on Sun. afternoon, could get it done in an hour or less - alone!- then I felt ready for Mon. and the week but I realize most people have a life.

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Vicki Knauerhase M.Ed.
Child Development Specialist (retired)
Weston OH
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2021 08:57 AM
From: Cathleen McAuliffe
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

I guess I need to know what you mean by "decorate?"  In my opinion, the room should be "decorated" with children's work, including artwork, teacher/child-made charts, real photos, etc. This happens with and by the children with adult support. I think we always need to remind ourselves that early care and education settings should look like a home, not like a school.

------------------------------
Cathy McAuliffe, PhD
Adjunct Professor
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Bentonville, Arkansas

Original Message:
Sent: 02-19-2021 04:20 PM
From: Maria Slichter
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

Hello, I am wondering how programs effectively utilize staff to decorate their ECE classrooms, while still maintaining effective scanning of the room and ensuring the children are engaged - playing safely, and are getting adequate attention?  Does anyone have advice how to allocate this time during working hours, or are some people paying staff to do it when the centre is closed?

------------------------------
Maria
ECE FLoater
North Vancouver BC
------------------------------

I use anytime I can to decorate, it all depends on what type of decorating. if it is simply just hanging up artwork on the bulletin board that can happen at nap. if you are moving furniture or hanging things from the ceiling where you need a ladder I tend to try to do this at the end of the day when ratios are low in a center and classes have began to merge for closing. I would make it know to my director that i needed time to decorate and if I could have someone who may be getting off early because of low numbers step in for me or help decorate

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Tori Shaw
Lead Preschool Teacher
Everbrook Academy
Woodbridge VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-19-2021 04:20 PM
From: Maria Slichter
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

Hello, I am wondering how programs effectively utilize staff to decorate their ECE classrooms, while still maintaining effective scanning of the room and ensuring the children are engaged - playing safely, and are getting adequate attention?  Does anyone have advice how to allocate this time during working hours, or are some people paying staff to do it when the centre is closed?

------------------------------
Maria
ECE FLoater
North Vancouver BC
------------------------------

Hi, those are great ideas - thank you for your comments.

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Maria Slichter
ECE
Parkgate Society
North Vancouver BC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2021 10:56 AM
From: Tori Shaw
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

I use anytime I can to decorate, it all depends on what type of decorating. if it is simply just hanging up artwork on the bulletin board that can happen at nap. if you are moving furniture or hanging things from the ceiling where you need a ladder I tend to try to do this at the end of the day when ratios are low in a center and classes have began to merge for closing. I would make it know to my director that i needed time to decorate and if I could have someone who may be getting off early because of low numbers step in for me or help decorate

------------------------------
Tori Shaw
Lead Preschool Teacher
Everbrook Academy
Woodbridge VA

Original Message:
Sent: 02-19-2021 04:20 PM
From: Maria Slichter
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

Hello, I am wondering how programs effectively utilize staff to decorate their ECE classrooms, while still maintaining effective scanning of the room and ensuring the children are engaged - playing safely, and are getting adequate attention?  Does anyone have advice how to allocate this time during working hours, or are some people paying staff to do it when the centre is closed?

------------------------------
Maria
ECE FLoater
North Vancouver BC
------------------------------

In a perfect world, environment preparation and decoration would get done at a time where children aren't present, however, resources and reality dictate that we take advantage of every moment. My toddlers "help" rearrange their classroom, and move light pieces as they see fit. Artwork gets changed in spare moments during nap time, and preparation and documentation that doesn't get done during planning happens after work or during lunch hours unpaid. The kids are always the focus and are much more concerned with the interactions than the aesthetics of their environment, as I have to tell myself when I get caught up in perfectionism.

------------------------------
Ada Scott
Toddler coordinator and teacher
Educational Child Care Center (EC3)
Lansing MI
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-19-2021 04:20 PM
From: Maria Slichter
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

Hello, I am wondering how programs effectively utilize staff to decorate their ECE classrooms, while still maintaining effective scanning of the room and ensuring the children are engaged - playing safely, and are getting adequate attention?  Does anyone have advice how to allocate this time during working hours, or are some people paying staff to do it when the centre is closed?

------------------------------
Maria
ECE FLoater
North Vancouver BC
------------------------------

Hello, thank you for your advice and comments and I agree that the children should always be the number one focus in the room.  I think gentle reminders to colleagues of that would be helpful.

------------------------------
Maria Slichter
ECE
Parkgate Society
North Vancouver BC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-20-2021 11:00 AM
From: Ada Scott
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

In a perfect world, environment preparation and decoration would get done at a time where children aren't present, however, resources and reality dictate that we take advantage of every moment. My toddlers "help" rearrange their classroom, and move light pieces as they see fit. Artwork gets changed in spare moments during nap time, and preparation and documentation that doesn't get done during planning happens after work or during lunch hours unpaid. The kids are always the focus and are much more concerned with the interactions than the aesthetics of their environment, as I have to tell myself when I get caught up in perfectionism.

------------------------------
Ada Scott
Toddler coordinator and teacher
Educational Child Care Center (EC3)
Lansing MI

Original Message:
Sent: 02-19-2021 04:20 PM
From: Maria Slichter
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

Hello, I am wondering how programs effectively utilize staff to decorate their ECE classrooms, while still maintaining effective scanning of the room and ensuring the children are engaged - playing safely, and are getting adequate attention?  Does anyone have advice how to allocate this time during working hours, or are some people paying staff to do it when the centre is closed?

------------------------------
Maria
ECE FLoater
North Vancouver BC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 2/19/2021 4:20:00 PM
From: Maria Slichter
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

Hello, I am wondering how programs effectively utilize staff to decorate their ECE classrooms, while still maintaining effective scanning of the room and ensuring the children are engaged - playing safely, and are getting adequate attention?  Does anyone have advice how to allocate this time during working hours, or are some people paying staff to do it when the centre is closed?

------------------------------
Maria
ECE FLoater
North Vancouver BC
------------------------------

I normally decorate the classroom bulletin board before the children arrive or during nap time. (Two teachers are always in the room depending on ratio we occasionally will have three)

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Lee Garner
Teacher/Tutor
Garner Tutoring Service
Calumet City IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-19-2021 04:20 PM
From: Maria Slichter
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

Hello, I am wondering how programs effectively utilize staff to decorate their ECE classrooms, while still maintaining effective scanning of the room and ensuring the children are engaged - playing safely, and are getting adequate attention?  Does anyone have advice how to allocate this time during working hours, or are some people paying staff to do it when the centre is closed?

------------------------------
Maria
ECE FLoater
North Vancouver BC
------------------------------

Hi Maria,

Our Teacher Assistants are in charge of the decorations as our Teachers have other things to do. I'm really proud of what they do. Usually this happens during the work day during our prep or clean up time. They design and implement and its a source of pride, especially when I walk around and take pictures and compliment them. Our children are mostly 2 year olds with special needs so they're a bit too little to help.


Original Message:
Sent: 2/19/2021 4:20:00 PM
From: Maria Slichter
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

Hello, I am wondering how programs effectively utilize staff to decorate their ECE classrooms, while still maintaining effective scanning of the room and ensuring the children are engaged - playing safely, and are getting adequate attention?  Does anyone have advice how to allocate this time during working hours, or are some people paying staff to do it when the centre is closed?

------------------------------
Maria
ECE FLoater
North Vancouver BC
------------------------------

This is not a new article, but it is an excellent discussion about what an EC classroom can and should look like.  https://www.smartbeginningsse.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/considerthewalls.pdf

------------------------------
Cathy McAuliffe, PhD
Adjunct Professor
NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Bentonville, Arkansas
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-19-2021 04:20 PM
From: Maria Slichter
Subject: Decorating Childcare Rooms during work hours

Hello, I am wondering how programs effectively utilize staff to decorate their ECE classrooms, while still maintaining effective scanning of the room and ensuring the children are engaged - playing safely, and are getting adequate attention?  Does anyone have advice how to allocate this time during working hours, or are some people paying staff to do it when the centre is closed?

------------------------------
Maria
ECE FLoater
North Vancouver BC
------------------------------