Y A N t Al St t i tYouAreNotAlone:StrategiestoKeepthe“Family”inFamilyChildCareHomesthatServeInfantsand

ToddlersToddlers

wwwva itsnetwork orgwww.va‐itsnetwork.org

Your TrainersYourTrainers

Crystal Howser Darlene Ingram

Purpose andObjectivesPurposeandObjectives• Define the benefits and stressors of beingDefine the benefits and stressors of being a family child care home provider

• Identify warning signs of “burn out”Identify warning signs of  burn out• Identify habits to prevent or heal “burn out”out

• Recognize techniques to provide support to your familiesto your families

• Discuss ways to stay positive throughout the daythe day

Benefits of a Family Child CareHomeBenefitsofaFamilyChildCareHome

• Teacher‐to‐child bondingg• Home‐like environment• Smaller group sizesSmaller group sizes• Fewer illnesses• Flexibility• Flexibility • Increased sibling interactionYOU ARE LIKE FAMILY!• YOU ARE LIKE FAMILY!

StressorsStressors

• Work vs HomeWork vs. Home• Building with Bricks

l O !• Always On!• Where’s the Water Cooler?• The Work Day• YOU ARE LIKE FAMILY!YOU ARE LIKE FAMILY!• “Burn Out”

Activity StopActivity Stop

O i f it d th 5 tOn a piece of paper, write down the 5 most stressful parts of your day and rank them 1‐5 ith 5 b i th MOST t f l d 15, with 5 being the MOST stressful and 1 being the least stressful.

Are You Feeling the Burn?AreYouFeelingtheBurn?• Irritability• Loss of passion• Loss of patiencep• Feeling loss of control• IsolationIsolation • Resentment towards families

Be honest with yourselfBe honest with yourselfNow let’s look at some habits to minimize thesethese…

HabitstoPreventorHeal the “Burn Out”Healthe BurnOut

Work vs HomeWorkvs.Home• Start your day in a quiet space (even if it’sStart your day in a quiet space (even if it s early)

• Rearrange your child care space• Rearrange your child care space• Rotate toys and art supplies• Exchange books 

• Redecorate a place in your home for you• Have a place to unwind at the end of your day (HINT: It doesn’t have to be at home)

Buildingwith BricksBuildingwithBricks

• Keep up with your trainingsKeep up with your trainings• Change up your routineG id !• Get outside!

• Reduce teacher led art/play time• Sing/put on music• Practice breathing with your kidsPractice breathing with your kids• Help them, help you

Always On!AlwaysOn!• Get/stay organizedGet/stay organized• Easy meals one day a week

k lk i h i ff• Take a walk in the evenings to turn off• Parent communication after hours • Share parental duties, if possible• Learn to say “no” to weekendsLearn to say  no  to weekends

Where’s theWater Cooler? Social TimeWhere stheWaterCooler?SocialTime

• Build a networkBuild a network• Volunteer

i h i h f i d• Host a game night with friends• Take a workout class• Take a class that interests you

TheWorkDayTheWorkDay• Share your scheduleShare your schedule• Address it in your contractS i k• Stick to your contract

• Charge late fees• Plan ahead• Take vacationsTake vacations• Be the boss

Activity StopActivityStopLook back at your stressors ranked 1‐5Look back at your stressors ranked 1 5. Questions to ask yourself:• Why am I feeling stressed about this?• Why am I feeling stressed about this?• How can I help myself work through this 

i i i i ?stressor to turn it into a positive?• What am I doing to help this child/family work through this challenge?

Parent CommunicationParentCommunication

YOUARELIKEFAMILY!ParentCommunication

• Oreo MethodOreo Method• 1 positive point per child

i h f li• Notice how you are feeling• Look at the interaction from the child’s point of view

• Ask for the parent’s perspectivep p p• Reassure them • Parent “Pop” In• Parent  Pop  In

ParentCommunication:l lMilitaryFamilies

• Get ahead of the game!Get ahead of the game!• Be on the same pageC l hil i• Create goals while parent is gone

• Create a “Almost Home” calendar • Technology is your friend• Children’s art care packageChildren s art care package• Hometown Hero’s Board

OhHappyDay!OhHappyDay!

Fill the Joy JarFilltheJoyJar• 10 minute reflection of the positive10 minute reflection of the positive• Reward yourself

i• Exercise your senses • Shake up the routine• Theme days• Work with an ITS!Work with an ITS!

In ReviewInReview…• Define the benefits and stressors of beingDefine the benefits and stressors of being a family child care home provider

• Identify warning signs of “burn out”• Identify warning signs of  burn out• Identify habits to prevent or heal “burn 

”out”• Recognize techniques to provide support to your families

• Discuss ways to stay positive throughout y y p gthe day

Wewill talk to you soon!Wewilltalktoyousoon!

S biNext VA ITSN WebinarBouncing Babies: Modern Materials and Their Impact on Development

in Infants & ToddlersThursday, April 12th@ 1:00 P.M.

Thank you for being here!Thankyouforbeinghere!