Competency Goal V
Sheniene Moore
Rasmussen College

Author Note This assignment is being submitted on April 14, 2013, for Elizabeth Darkhabani’s EC120/EEC1734 Section 01 Health Safety and Nutrition Spring 2013.

Ensuring a well-run, purposeful program responsive to participant’s needs As an early childhood educator I must have knowledge and understanding of children and their process of development and growth, training in the policies and guidelines of the childcare facility, skills to implement developmentally appropriate practices, age appropriate curriculum and effective communication skills to build and maintain relationships with the families in order to ensure a well-run, purposeful high-quality program responsive to participant’s needs. High quality standards in early education for children are met with implementing these six major goals. The first goal is to maximize the health status of the child. I would implement this goal by keeping the environment and the toys that the children use clean and sanitized daily. I would also discuss with parents care routines such as brushing and flossing and suitable times for bed to maintain the well-being of their child at home. The second goal is minimizing risks. Posting emergency procedures and practicing them periodically is what I would do to minimize risks of panics in an actual emergency. The third goal is using education as a tool. I would access community resources such as dentists and doctors to come and speak with the children about their health and nutrition. I would also send home information pamphlets and websites that will encourage good eating habits at home. Recognizing the importance of guidelines is the fourth goal. To enforce this regulation required by law I would make sure that there is proper supervision for the children by providing sufficient and safe staff to child ratio. Making sure for every 6 children there is 1 staff and a head count is done frequently. This reduces the risk of losing a child or a child getting hurt due to lack of adequate supervision. The fifth goal is practicing cultural competence. I would ask the parents about their cultural background and beliefs. Then I would familiarize myself with the culture and adapt my classroom and activities to make the child feel included. I would make available multi-cultural posters, books, puzzles, and clothing for role playing. I would prepare a themed curriculum that is developmentally appropriate that would teach the children about diversity and differences. They would paint pictures of themselves and I would display them in the room. The sixth goal is developing partnerships with families to provide a caring community. Informing the parents ahead of time of activities and events of the classroom and asking them to volunteer is one way of developing a partnership with families. I would send home daily activity notes to inform the parents of the activities and progress that their child has accomplished for the day. This builds a communication relationship between the teacher and parents. These six major goals collaborated with committed, fully licensed and trained teachers that are effective communicators and educators can impact and ensure a well-run, purposeful and highly qualified program responsive to participants needs.