8 Things your childcare provider hates to hear

There are many excuses that people give for not paying childcare tuition on time.   However, as long as everyone is still alive, there is generally no good excuse for not paying your childcare provider on time.   We will address some common excuses along with how childcare providers perceive these excuses and solutions to some situations that can arise. 


I forgot payment was due today.  
This excuse is unacceptable.  This sends the message that your childcare provider is so insignificant that you forgot to pay for services you feel entitled to receive.  You did not forget to drop off your child, because that was important to you. So do not forget to pay your childcare provider.    


I forgot my purse and or wallet. 
Although with busy schedules it is understandable that one might forget a purse, wallet, ATM card, etc., if you pay early or pay upon drop off rather than pick up, this will never be an issue.

 

 

I know payment is due on Friday but I do not get my paycheck until Saturday so can I pay you on Saturday? 

Make two payments when you first start, that way you will always be one payment ahead.  It is not the provider’s responsibility to accommodate when your boss decides to pay you,  it is the parent’s responsibility to make sure the childcare payment is made on-time every time without excuses.  You know how much and when the payment is due well in advance, plan according.     

 

I did not did not have time to go to the ATM.   

This translates to your provider as, I chose not to pay you on time.   If you pay early or pay upon drop-off rather than pick up, this will never be an issue.


Can I drop it off to you over the weekend? 
No, the daycare center will be closed and no individual provider wants their private time imposed upon because a parent chose not to pay on time.  Just be prepared to pay the late fee.  This excuse not only conveys the message that you don’t deem your childcare provider important enough to pay on time, you further devalue their time by thinking they should be available to you after business hours

 

 

Can I drop it off after the close of business day?  

No, the daycare center will be closed and no individual provider wants their private time imposed upon because a parent chose not to pay on time.  Just be prepared to pay the late fee.  This again conveys that the childcare provider is not important enough to pay on time and you could care less about their personal time. 

Times are hard right now and I just don’t have the money.  Can I pay some now and some later?

No, make cuts somewhere else.  I am sure childcare is more important than cable TV.   The other alternative is to find cheaper childcare but remember, you generally get what you pay for.

I know I did not pay on Friday and it is Monday morning.  I only have a partial payment, can I give you this and then give you the rest when I pick up? 

I must say, this is one of the more irritating ones for me.  Just be prepared to pay the late fee for not paying on time on Friday and an additional late fee for not paying in full upon dropping off of your child.  This shows the provider that you do not care about paying them at all and you feel that they should be satisfied with getting paid whenever you get around to it.  This type of behavior can quickly lead to contract termination. 

Childcare providers work very hard and do not want to deal with excuses when payment is due.  What if you childcare provider “forgot” that you wanted to drop off on Monday morning or “forgot” to feed your child lunch would you be understanding?  How would you feel if your boss forgot that it was payday?  Would it rest well with you if your boss said that he/she could not pay you on payday but offered to bring your payment to you during your off time?  If you answered honestly, I am sure that the answer is NO!  So do not expect it to be accepted, understood, or allowed by your childcare provider.    

 

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Preschool Nutrition Can Be Challenging - stjoechannel.com

Preschool Nutrition Can Be Challenging - stjoechannel.com

Howard University sees enrollment surge

 

Sept. 27, 2013, 10:52 p.m. PDT

The Washington Post News Service

(c) 2013, The Washington Post.
WASHINGTON — Howard University leaders on Friday hailed the second-largest freshman class in 15 years, an influx of 1,596 new students who have helped the school rebound from an enrollment plunge a year ago.
University President Sidney Ribeau, speaking at a convocation on the campus in Washington, told the Class of 2017 that its size is evidence that Howard is on the rise after a trying year for one of the nation's most prestigious historically black centers of higher learning.
"Now, I'm not one to argue with the pundits and the newspapers," Ribeau said, "but I think numbers need to speak for themselves sometimes. There's a demand for the Howard product. There's a demand for a Howard education. And these students represent that demand."
Total enrollment stands at more than 10,330, Ribeau said, up 3 percent from the fall 2012 count of 10,002. That marks a partial recovery from last year's drop of 5 percent.
Last year's enrollment decline, along with financial troubles at the university hospital, federal budget cuts and other issues, generated internal debate over the management and future of the university. Its standing in the U.S. News and World Report college rankings has fallen. Its credit rating was downgraded this week by Moody's Investors Service.
But Ribeau and other university officials say Howard will survive and thrive. "Let me say, we are strong here at Howard," said Addison Barry Rand, chairman of the board of trustees. "No matter what people may say on the outside, we are strong here at Howard."
Founded in 1867, Howard will mark its sesquicentennial when first-year students such as Jarrett Powell and Natalie Honor are scheduled to graduate.
Both said they chose Howard, a private university with annual tuition and fees of about $22,700, over home-state universities with a lower price. Both said they are the first in their family to attend Howard.
Powell, 18, of West Palm Beach, Fla., called Howard "the place where African Americans come as a foundation to strive for better things." Honor, 18, of Los Angeles, said Howard offers "the perfect experience and opportunity to begin shaping myself."
As they were interviewed outside Cramton Auditorium, a couple dozen students, faculty and staff members were holding a demonstration to draw the board's attention to various grievances.
Some university employees said they were worried about job security. Some students and a few professors said they wanted more transparency on the university's fiscal condition.
"We need positive action from the administration and also the board to fix the issues we currently face," said Gregory Jenkins, a professor of physics and astronomy who helped organize the rally.
Valerie Previl, 21, a senior from New York, said some students were getting "fed up" with hearing about the university's troubles without getting answers. Her message to the administration: "Definitely talk to us. Let's open up the channels of communication."
Willie Lucas Jr., an electrician and longtime employee, said he was demonstrating to show his concern over the university's finances. He said his wife and daughter graduated from Howard. "I just hate to see Howard going down," Lucas said. "I love Howard University. . . . I'm worried about the state of the university, period."
Ribeau, who has led the university since 2008, projected confidence in his 18-minute speech inside the auditorium as he and faculty members gathered in their academic robes to welcome the new students. Near him as he spoke were trustees and Prince George's County (Md.) Executive Rushern Baker III, a Howard alumnus. Behind Ribeau sat Renee Higginbotham-Brooks, vice chairwoman of the board and a sharp critic of the president and the chairman.
"There are a lot of believers right here in this room — and believers in Howard University," Ribeau said. "Nothing is impossible if one believes in the possibilities of life. . . . This year is going to be a great year for Howard University, for the Class of 2017."
bc-howard

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Disgusted!

 

 

 

I Usually I do not post personal experiences on my blog.  However this is something I must share.  I was completely infuriated when I encountered a teenage student I am tutoring who was completely gross.  His hair was so nasty. He was scratching it and plucking the dandruff across the table.  There was white stuff in the corners of his mouth.  He clearly had not brushed his teeth, his clothes were dirty, and he smelled like underarms, bad breath, and dirty clothes.  At that moment, the session stopped.  I had a hygiene talk to him and a conference with his mother.  I even let them know that if this situation occurred again, I would no longer accept him as a client.  Although there is not father in the picture, there are no special circumstances that lead to this situation like, not having access to soap, water, and toiletries.  The student just decided he was not going to properly clean and groom himself and the mother decided not making him do it.  Contrary to what some may believe, teenagers are still minors and need guidance.  Help guide them in the right direction.   

www.theexperteducator.com
 

 

Clean Children Wanted

 

 

It is important to take your child/children to daycare and or school clean and well groomed.  Remember to properly bathe your child/children, comb their hair, brush their teeth, moisturize their skin, and dress them in clean weather appropriate clothing.   It may sound harsh but no clean daycare provider or teacher wants to touch or be anywhere near a dirty, non-groomed child.

Make sure your child does not start out at a disadvantage.  Help them be successful everyday.  

www.theexperteducator.com

 

 

 

Md. to give MSA, though results won't be used to gauge school progress

 

State believes it would be violating federal law if it stopped giving MSA, which doesn't align with new curriculum

By Liz Bowie, The Baltimore Sun

2:00 AM PDT, September 16, 2013

Maryland wants to continue annual assessments of students this year at a cost of about $9 million, even though the scores wouldn't be used to gauge school progress — one of the main reasons for giving the tests.

State officials, in plans to be considered by the Maryland State Board of Education this month, said they would continue to give the Maryland School Assessments to comply with federal law. But, they said, the results won't provide reliable data for evaluating schools and teachers because the tests are geared to curriculum that's being phased out.

The new common core curriculum, launched this year in every public school in the state, won't have new assessments to match until the 2014-2015 school year. The state must field test the new assessments next year, and officials say they have chosen to do so on 50,000 students across the state — a small group of students in every elementary and middle school.

A Maryland teachers union is calling for a one-year moratorium on testing. And the National Education Association, another teachers union, said the focus during this year of transition should be on making sure teachers are prepared and getting enough support to teach the new curriculum rather than on testing.

"It doesn't make sense to give a test that you know is not aligned to what you are teaching because that is just a waste of everyone's time and, frankly, money," said Donna Harris-Aikens, the NEA's director for education practice and policy.

State officials say they must go forward with the MSA, given in math and reading to third- through eighth-graders, because annual state tests are required under the federal No Child Left Behind law. Until Congress reauthorizes the law, said Jack Smith, the chief academic officer of the Maryland State Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Education has little choice but to enforce the provision.

"There will be some benefits that can be derived from the test," Smith said, though he acknowledged: "It is not a perfect situation or a particularly good situation to administer the MSA during this transition."

The timing issues have arisen as states struggle to put in place several reforms, including the common core, the new assessments and a new teacher evaluation system based on the new tests. Many states agreed to an aggressive timetable because they were trying to win federal dollars under an education reform competition called Race to the Top.

If given the go-ahead by the state board, Maryland officials would ask the U.S. Department of Education for a waiver from some requirements under No Child Left Behind. First, state officials are asking for permission to forego giving the old Maryland State Assessment to the students who are taking the new test. Without the waiver, those students would have to take tests in March.

And because some students would be taking the news tests, state officials said they would have only partial data on student achievement in each school, so it would be unfair to use the test results to rank schools. Officials propose keeping in place the current rankings, called the School Progress Index, until schools can be evaluated under the new system.

Maryland also is seeking to delay tying a teacher's evaluation to test scores until next school year. Under a new system, as much as 20 percent of a teacher's evaluation will be tied to how much a student learns during a year.

Because the old tests are not measuring what is being taught, test scores are expected to go down next year — as they did this year.

So if the old tests aren't a good measure of student achievement and shouldn't be used to evaluate schools and teachers, some education leaders wonder why the old tests should be given.

California has decided to not test at all; other states have created interim tests.

"I would like to see states step up and say, "Wait a minute, is this really the right thing to do? Is it good to spend money on tests that aren't aligned and aren't going to give us the information we need?" said Betty Weller, president of the Maryland State Education Association. "We remain opposed to giving the MSA next year."

Both the union, which represents most teachers in Maryland, and the superintendents association have come out in favor of a one-year moratorium on testing.

"This transition and lack of reliable testing data from the state has created great concerns for local superintendents who are trying to maintain and convey confidence in the quality of education that Maryland students are receiving," said Michael J. Martirano, superintendent of St. Mary's County Public Schools, and president of the Public School Superintendents' Association of Maryland.

But Smith, at the state department of education, said he believes MSA testing could still be useful in illuminating potential problems in teaching certain groups of students, including special education students or those for whom English is not their first language.

Officials with the U.S. Department of Education also contend the MSAs would continue to yield valuable information.

"History shows that when we don't [give the tests] it's the performance of the most vulnerable students that gets swept under the rug," said Cameron French, deputy press secretary for the federal department. "Although it's not ideal to use the old test when you are transitioning to new standards, we do believe the data provides some use to parents, policy makers, teachers and educators where there are access issues and chronic low performance."

Several educators, including Baltimore County Superintendent Dallas Dance, said they would like to see more students take the new field test of the PARCC and that other tests routinely given by school systems during the year could be substituted to satisfy the federal requirement.

Dance said the misalignment between the new curriculum and the old tests is particularly difficult in math. Concepts that are tested in one grade on the MSA may now be taught in a different grade under the common core.

He will push to have more county students take the new test, but he also said the county does not have enough computers to give the test online to every student in elementary and middle school. The MSA is a paper and pencil test, but the state will eventually move all testing online.

Many states, caught in the same transition, are continuing to give the old tests, but New York and some other states have paid to create a new test to be given in the interim.

California's legislature voted last week to stop giving its state test for at least one year until a new curriculum and tests are in place. Gov. Jerry Brown has said he supports the legislation, which passed despite U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan's warning that he could take away federal funds from California. Federal funds represent about 10 percent of school budgets there.

Bob Schaeffer, public education director of Fair Test, an organization that is opposed to the extent of testing in public schools, said that children will not benefit from taking the MSA.

State officials "should stand up to Washington and say enough is enough," he said. "Lurching from one set of tests to another is going to make things worse and be disruptive in the short run."

Tribune Newspapers contributed to this story.

liz.bowie@baltsun.com

 www.theexperteducator.com
 

Parents: What to do when something goes wrong

Situations like those described in the attached article are specifically addressed in the book, Memoirs of A Teacher.  There is no need to fumble through the educational system uninformed.  Know exactly what to do when these types of situations occur.  Reserve your copy today at www.theexperteducator.com


Read Article
9-school-complaints-from-parents-what-you-should-do-when-something-goes-wrong


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Eating with Nasty Hands: The Importance of Supplying the Supplies on the Supply list

Now that school is in session, I am sure that many people have received their specific itemized supply lists for their child's class.  It is extremely important that parents get everything on the supply list.  Although some things may seem trivial or unimportant, it is important that you supply everything on the list in the specified quantity.  The items listed are needed in order for your child to be considered properly prepared for the class.  Three common items that parents often skip or skimp on many supply lists are paper towels, liquid soap, and hand sanitizer.  If you would just take the time to think of everything your child touches throughout the day.  Take the time to imagine what they touch when they are on the playground and when they go to the bathroom.  Now think about them sitting down for their morning snack of grapes and crackers.  Grapes are wet so everything that is on their hands from digging up the nose or touching the bottom of their shoe, (that is what kids do) is going to rub off on their food and end up in their mouth. GROSS!!  All because mommy or daddy did not include hand sanitizer, soap, and paper towels from the supply list.  You can believe that if you do not supply the hand sanitizer, soap, and paper towels, your child will be eating with nasty hands.  If you provide less than the amount specified on the list, your child will be eating with nasty hands once your limited supply has been used.  More than likely, the teacher will be too busy during the school year to remind you to bring your child's missing supplies so he or she with just go without them.  I am making lite of the situation by using this example.  However, lack of proper supplies can truly cause problems and lead to children falling behind academically.  It can be quite frustrating for the teachers and students when all supplies from the list are not present.  So please make sure that you provide everything on the school supply list.


Please submit any questions you want answered by the Expert via the contact page at  http://www.theexperteducator.com/ or you can email smiller@theexperteducator.com

FREE Backpacks, FREE school supplies, FREE Stuff

That's right, FREE!  If you live in the Baltimore MD area, visit the Back to School Festival  this Saturday August 24, 2013 for 12pm-4pm.  You might want to get there early while supplies last.  The festival is being healed at Security Square Mall 6901 Security Blvd. Baltimore MD 21244.  In addition to free school supplies, there will be many community resources available, as well as internship opportunities, and live entertainment.  Enjoy yourself while getting ready for school for FREE!

 

Please submit any questions you want answered by the Expert via the contact page at  http://www.theexperteducator.com/ or you can email smiller@theexperteducator.com

 



NO DRIVING ON THE GRASS

I never thought I would actually have to make this statement. However, it has been made quite clear that the following statement needs to be made.  DO NOT drive your vehicle on your daycare provider’s lawn.  It is rude and inconsiderate!  It is even worse if you do it and act like nothing happened or deny that you are the culprit (although you are guilty).  The provider knows and will quickly fill your daycare slot and terminate your contract.  Why would anyone think it is OK to create damage by driving on someone else’s lawn and not immediately apologize and offer to repair the damage?  The next question I have is if you did cause damage by driving on your provider’s lawn and did not feel the need to apologize and fix the damage, why would you still feel comfortable leaving your child in the care of that provider?  I mean really let’s just have some common sense and common courtesy.  DO NOT drive on the lawn!  In the case of an accident, apologize immediately AND pay for any damage caused.  DO NOT negligently damage property and then leave your child in the provider’s care.  Enough said!

Please submit any questions you want answered by the Expert via the contact page at  http://www.theexperteducator.com/ or you can email smiller@theexperteducator.com

Intern program deadlines are approaching soon

 

 

The General Assembly's Legislative Intern Program

The General Assembly's Legislative Intern Program offers approximately 100 of Maryland's college and university students the opportunity to provide research and staff assistance to legislators during each session and to have both an educational and practical work experience in the Legislative Branch of State government. Upon acceptance into the program, students interview for placement with legislators, committees, or caucuses of the Maryland General Assembly. 

Juniors and seniors presently enrolled in a public or independent Maryland college or university are eligible to apply.

Many of the interns are political science majors; however, students working toward degrees in other areas who are interested in learning firsthand about the process of State government are encouraged to apply.

http://dls.state.md.us/Content.aspx?page=66

Student Page Program for Maryland High School Seniors

Since 1970, Maryland's high school seniors have had the opportunity to learn about the legislative process by serving as student pages in the Senate and the House of Delegates during the annual session of the Maryland General Assembly. The program was begun by House Speaker Thomas Hunter Lowe and approved by the Maryland State Board of Education. Each year, 105 pages and 36 alternates are selected from across the State to represent their schools and counties in Annapolis.
The Page program is nonpatronage, and selection is done through the local school systems. Each county in Maryland has a county page coordinator who is appointed by the local superintendent of schools. This person is responsible for organizing and conducting the selection process used by the county's public and nonpublic schools to select the students who will serve as pages and alternates

Each county is allocated at least one page and one alternate position and receives additional positions based on its high school senior student population. Interested students apply through their schools in September of their senior year, and selection is completed by October 31 of each year.

http://dls.state.md.us/Content.aspx?page=65

Please submit any questions you want answered by the Expert via the contact page at  http://www.theexperteducator.com/ or you can email smiller@theexperteducator.com

First Day of School Blues

 

Dear Educational Expert,

Today is my child’s first day of school and I am in tears.  I cannot believe he is this old.  He is no longer my little boy.  How do I know he will be OK?  Will the other kids be nice to him?  What if he needs me?  I just can’t believe that this time has come.  I did not feel this way when he went to his daycare (in home family) but today I am having first day of school blues.   

I have had several reports today of parents having first day of school blues.  You are not the first person to experience this and I am sure you will not be the last.  It is perfectly normal to get a little emotional when children hit milestones like attending the first day of school.  Attending school is different than attending a family daycare because the school it is much larger.  You do not know everyone in the entire school and thus giving you the feeling of less control.  It is important to remember that attending school is a normal part of growing up and it means that you have a healthy properly developing child.  Set your mind at ease by meeting with your child’s teacher and administrators.  Talk to him about his day when he gets home and you will probably be relieved to see that he is excited and wants to go back to school tomorrow.  The anxiety that you feel is stemming from you THINKING that your child might have a bad first day, somehow won’t be OK, will not be able to reach you if needed, will not make friends, etc. Where are these negative thoughts coming from?  This may have something to do with your past experiences.  If your son is the nice young man I am sure you raised him to be, he will be able to make friends.  If he needs anything, he has a teacher and administrators that can assist with anything he needs while in school and if you are NEEDED at any time, believe me, they will contact you.  So try to relax. I am sure your child is at school enjoying his friends. 

 

 

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Back to School Supplies Stress

 

Dear Expert Educator,

I think learning is important but the first day of school is coming up soon and I have NO money for school supplies.   We just have enough money to live and there is no money in my budget for anything else.  What am I supposed to do?  Stressed single mom of two. 

Dear Single Mom of Two,

You are right, the first day of school is quickly approaching, in some areas the first day of school is actually today.  All students should be prepared for their FIRST day of school.  However, before you stress out or rush to the store to purchase items take some time to look at the required list of supplies (most schools post them online).  Next, take inventory of what you already have at the house.  You would be surprised how many pens, pencils, folders, paper, eraser, markers, crayons, lunch boxes, etc. that you already have.  Copy down or print the supply list and check off all the items you have around the house.  Next check Grandma's house (friends, neighbors, other family members).  People usually have a plethora of unneeded stationary that they would be more than happy to give to you.  They get to de-clutter their homes all while donating the stationary towards a good cause.  Now that you have gathered all of the supplies you already have at your disposal, check to see what local school supply drives are taking place and when they plan to distribute.  I am sure once you follow these steps you will find that your children will be ready for the first day of school at little to no cost to you.  So go get those children ready for school so that they can succeed academically and you can hear people say "Your children are So Smart"! 

Contact us with questions or comments via  http://www.theexperteducator.com/ or you can email smiller@theexperteducator.com.

Non-licensed Childcare

I often receive questions from parents in regards to using licensed VS non-licensed childcare providers.  As both have their pros and cons, I would not completely lean towards one side.  I will however state that licensed childcare providers must adhere to regular inspections, training, specified standards, and background checks.  This is generally why licensed providers are more expensive.  Licensed childcare centers have even more regulations to follow and are thus usually more expensive than in-home licensed providers, who are usually more expensive than unlicensed providers.

Let’s explore this topic a little more.  It is extremely rare to find an unlicensed childcare center.  It would be almost impossible to remain undetected being as though the center would be large and unable to move.  Thus, easily discovered and shut down.  Non-licensed childcare providers are different.  Since, they are small and mobile, it is more difficult to discover and enforce regulations upon them.  Non-licensed childcare providers come in many forms.  The neighbor down the street, the high school baby sitter earning some extra cash, nanny share or person who rotates homes watching several unrelated children at once and receiving payment, etc.  In my experience as an educator, I have heard both good and bad stories regarding non-licensed childcare providers.  So I will just say be extremely careful in your search for childcare.  Do not ignore any warning signs, and take a very hands-on approach. I do not care how many “assistance” the provider has, it is important for you to know the child adult ratio.  You need to know who interacts with your child and in what manor? Who takes them to the bathroom?  Are the children ever left alone with the assistants?  How does the main provider know the assistants? Are they related to the provider or did they answer a help wanted ad?  If something were to go wrong, who would be held responsible?

This Topic is considered taboo because in general, practicing childcare without a license is illegal (there are some exceptions).  However, the truth is that people use unregistered, unlicensed, illegal childcare everyday.  It is truly a booming business.  If you do choose to use a non-licensed provider, it is important to do your due diligence when it comes to research to insure that you are making the proper choice for your child.  Always remember safety first when it comes to choosing a childcare provider.    

*Note* Nannies and the baby sitter you call to watch your child when you go out, are not considered illegal providers.     
   

 

 Contact us with questions or comments via  http://www.theexperteducator.com/ or you can email smiller@theexperteducator.com.

The So Smart Movement is Born.

Ask the expert is an advice column dedicated to help readers solve their educational issues.  I am introducing the SO SMART movement.  I have often heard parents and students blame the schools system for academic deficiencies.  Too often we are faced with kindergartners unprepared to enter school system and high school seniors unprepared to exit.  This is a movement focused on helping parents and students take charge of their education.  No more waiting for the school system to do it, we are focused on empowering people to take the reins in guiding their education and the education of their children. Thus maximizing  academic potential and total personal success.   Please contact us with questions and comments via  http://www.theexperteducator.com/