Creating Affirming Environments

If I were to open my own family child care center, there are many components that I would need to consider to ensure the center is appropriate for all families. When I think about how I envision the environment of my center, I see many different materials that represent different families. These materials could be pictures of families, books that resemble different families, toys and materials as well as art projects the children complete. Derman- Sparks and Edwards (2010) explain that an environment that is rich in these materials influences the way children learn and invites children be discover and explore different cultures and ideas.

            While the visual environment is crucial to help families feel welcome, the curriculum is also an important aspect to consider when planning and building a family child care center. Within my program, I would plan for the curriculum to be engaging, while including anti-bias teaching into everyday lessons. I believe it is important to include these ideas naturally within the curriculum to ensure an easy flow and provide children with the opportunity to learn about different stereotypes they may experiences. I hope to include an emergent curriculum where I am able to listen to the questions of the children in the child care center, and build on those thoughts (Derman- Sparks & Edwards, 2010).

            Adriana Castillo shared many important ideas to consider when building a child care center. What I found to be very interesting and important is when she has the mothers or fathers sign in their child, she asks them to share about their morning and previous night. This information helps provide insight into the behaviors that may be observed throughout the day. In addition to this, Castillo explains that she has specific rooms for specific behaviors. For example, the nap room is used for children to take a nap, but is also used as a calming, comfortable room for when children are having a difficult time (Laureate Education, 2011). This is a great idea because this provides children with an opportunity to have a “safe” space they can go to each day or time they need to calm down.

 Finally, I would like to ensure that my center is very welcoming for all families and their children. Castillo explains it is difficult for families to drop their children off to a center, and children sometimes experience hardship when leaving their family members as well (Laureate Education, 2011). Having an open and honest relationship with families where nothing is left unanswered will help build this environment.

These components shared above stuck out to me as important features to include in a child care center. I believe picking a focus and building your center around that focus is important in creating a successful program. For me, the aspect of family is most important, and that should be shown through many different areas within the center.

References

Derman- Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti- bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Strategies for working with diverse children: Welcome to an anti-bias learning community. Baltimore, MD: Author