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Where do you stand on the topic of telling parents that their child took one of their big firsts at childcare?

  • 1.  Where do you stand on the topic of telling parents that their child took one of their big firsts at childcare?

    Posted 08-05-2020 04:28 PM
    Would you instruct childcare providers to tell parents that their child met a large milestone (first steps or first word for example) or would you instrcut them to allow the parent to tell you that information themselves?


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    -Bethany
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  • 2.  RE: Where do you stand on the topic of telling parents that their child took one of their big firsts at childcare?

    Posted 08-06-2020 12:26 AM
    In general I wont usually outright tell them they took their first steps (or what ever firsts). Instead I will say something like "Oh my goodness mom, I think child is getting close to walking" Even if the parents are easy going and say they don't care, its a special moment for them to have and it doesn't hurt for me as a teacher to let them have that moment.

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    Melissa Garcia
    Lead Teacher
    UVU Wee Care Center
    Provo UT
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  • 3.  RE: Where do you stand on the topic of telling parents that their child took one of their big firsts at childcare?

    Posted 08-07-2020 09:13 AM
    Let the parent know that you suspect they will notice the skill this week.  Tell them that you have seen signs that the child is getting ready to do whatever it is that you have already seen.  Parents have enough guilt about separating themselves from their babies and toddlers.  Let them have this.  They will tell you that their child just did XYZ and you can smile knowing you saw it first.

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    Susan Pollack
    Norfolk VA
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  • 4.  RE: Where do you stand on the topic of telling parents that their child took one of their big firsts at childcare?

    Posted 08-07-2020 09:14 AM
    Let the parent know that you suspect they will notice the skill this week.  Tell them that you have seen signs that the child is getting ready to do whatever it is that you have already seen.  Parents have enough guilt about separating themselves from their babies and toddlers.  Let them have this.  They will tell you that their child just did XYZ and you can smile knowing you saw it first.

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    Susan Pollack
    Norfolk VA
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  • 5.  RE: Where do you stand on the topic of telling parents that their child took one of their big firsts at childcare?

    Posted 08-06-2020 07:01 AM
    When they enter the program, Famlies could be asked what they prefer.  Some want to see the 'firsts' themselves'.  Others may want to know exactly when it happens.  This is a discussion with the family.

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    Elizabeth Mahon
    Teacher
    Ithaca Community Childcare Center
    Ithaca NY
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  • 6.  RE: Where do you stand on the topic of telling parents that their child took one of their big firsts at childcare?

    Posted 08-06-2020 08:24 AM
    Hello,
    I have always waited...I remember how excited I was when my own had "firsts",  The next one usually comes pretty quick and it gives the parent so much joy.  Only exception was a little guy with many delays that we had all been working on with P.T., when he was first able to sit without support we caught it on video and sent it to mom ASAP.

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    Joann Gansen
    Dubuque IA
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  • 7.  RE: Where do you stand on the topic of telling parents that their child took one of their big firsts at childcare?

    Posted 08-06-2020 12:00 PM
    In our program, I coach teachers to inform parents that their child is "so close to walking or crawling (for example) and that it can happen at any moment".  I've seen the disappointment on parents faces when teachers share those milestone moments.  The teacher is so proud of the child that they share the story and even show photos as soon as the parent arrives. I've even had other parents who were in the classroom nursing when the "moment" happened tell the parents at pick up time.  The disappointment at not seeing it first can be crushing.  I tell teachers that it's the one time I encourage lying to a parent about their child's development.

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    Danielle Waite Ed.D.
    Director ECEC
    University of California, Merced
    Merced CA
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  • 8.  RE: Where do you stand on the topic of telling parents that their child took one of their big firsts at childcare?

    Posted 08-06-2020 12:39 PM
    The children in my care "never" had a first with me. Even if the parents are easygoing like Melissa said, there is a particular joy a parent has in seeing the "first". I never wanted to take that away from them. I would also prep them, "Wow, you better watch out, Mom, she's been trying all day! She may walk in the next couple of days!" (Usually the child showed off their new skill that night.)

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    Karen Killian
    Texas Workforce Commission
    Austin TX
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  • 9.  RE: Where do you stand on the topic of telling parents that their child took one of their big firsts at childcare?

    Posted 08-06-2020 01:58 PM
    The lead teacher in the infant room has a frank conversation with parents when they enroll and she asks them what their preference is. The safety ones are non-negotiable; she will tell them their baby can roll over for instance. But for the others, she defers to where their hearts are. Some want to know every little thing and some ask her to please not mention it so they can experience it as their first if not the baby's first.

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    Casey Lalonde
    Director
    The Evergreen State College
    Olympia WA
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  • 10.  RE: Where do you stand on the topic of telling parents that their child took one of their big firsts at childcare?

    Posted 08-07-2020 11:17 AM
    We have a policy not to tell parents about the "firsts" Parents can carry so much guilt about leaving their littles with us that we choose not to add this to their load. We do always talk about how close their child is to a certain milestone. I also tell parents that if they tried some things tonight that they would probably get the "first" that night. This way parents have that joy. We gain more joy from the parents being excited about the "firsts" than we do seeing them

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    Chantalle Wakelin
    Operations Manager
    Summit Start
    Calgary AB
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