From One Alumnae to Another: Supporting Hands-On Learning Opportunities for Tomorrow’s Teachers

In the early childhood education space, teacher development is a key ingredient for a quality child care program. Degreed teachers, who are passionate and who already possess some real-world experience in the classroom, can be hard to find. So, what is the key ingredient for recruiting exceptional college graduates?

I believe I have a simple answer to this important question – hire from a university that is committed to educating students with a “learn by doing” philosophy.  Such universities do exist and I am proud to say that I am one of the many successful students that experienced the excellent teaching at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo . 

When departing Cal Poly in 1991, I left with bittersweet feelings. My path was unknown. However, what I did know was that I felt fully prepared for whatever opportunity that presented itself to me.  Why?  Because Cal Poly encourages students to experience hands-on learning opportunities. As student, you are expected to engage, immerse and participate in many opportunities outside of the classroom.  I believe I volunteered for at least six different positions which included teen pregnancy counselor, elementary school aide, YMCA Program Coordinator and so on. 

Today, after 18 plus years of professional experience in early childhood education, I still lean on my past lessons from Cal Poly.  I am thankful for the skilled and passionate professors that continue to instill the same values in their students, which is why our Center Directors are thrilled when they are able to recruit child development graduates from Cal Poly.  Over the years we have hired several dozen grads and their overall commitment and preparation for their new profession is commendable. 

While the quality of education and instruction is above par, in recent years, Cal Poly’s  Preschool Learning Lab outdoor facilities were in need of an update. In working with the University, one question that arose was: “What if the preschool lab included an outdoor space that allowed the students to observe play and implement a variety of learning opportunities?”  Thanks to my good fortune and experience and passion for designing outdoor play spaces for children, I approached the University and offered to fund the development of a new playground; one that would enrich the child’s experience and help the students document their observations.  

Earlier this month, the new playground was dedicated. It puts children back in contact with nature, by removing the large amount of concrete surfaces that previously existed (some of the same surfaces that were there when I was a student!). Sustainable and natural components have been implemented in as many areas as possible, with the addition of new bushes and trees, a dry creek bed and mini sand dunes. Children can enjoy digging for artifacts in a pea gravel pit, and grow their own vegetables and fruit in the organic garden. 

I am so proud to be a part of Cal Poly and to be able to welcome many wonderful Cal Poly grads as members of the CCLC family. It is my hope that the enhanced playground will only help prepare and inspire future child development graduates.

About Fran Durekas, Founder and Chief Development Officer, CCLC
Fran Durekas is Founder and Chief Development Officer for CCLC, a leading provider of employer-sponsored early childhood education and care. In this capacity, she provides executive leadership and support for new center openings, long-term strategy development for centers and client relations. She also assists with CCLC center design, construction and program recommendations. You can find out more about Fran and the high-quality employer-sponsored care that CCLC offers at www.cclc.com

International Conference Highlights The Positive Results From Improving The Lives of Children

I attended the 10th Annual Conference of the International Step by Step Association “Seeds of Change: Effective Investments in Early Childhood for Enduring Social Progress” in Bucharest, Romania last week. The conference was co-hosted by the Center for Education and Professional Development in Romania with support from the Open Society Institute, UNICEF, the Consultative Group, and many other international agencies that work in support of children and families. Knowledge Universe was not only proud to be a sponsor of this important conference but my colleague, Jeremy Williams and I were both privileged to present papers, too.

Many readers in the United States may not be familiar with ISSA but it is a truly impressive organization doing groundbreaking work in support of children around the world, particularly in Central Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Its goals are to promote inclusive, quality care and education experiences for all children from birth through age 10 to become active members of a democratic knowledge society. ISSA’s core members are non-governmental organizations (NGOs) located in Central Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Immediately preceding the conference, I also attended the Policy Roundtable on Early Childhood Development (Roundtable), organized and sponsored by the Romanian Ministry of Education and ISSA. The Roundtable included Ministers and key policy makers from 14 nations in this region, including countries such as Poland, Azerbaijan, Romania, Montenegro, Bosnia Herzegovina, Romania, Lithuania and the Czech Republic.

The Roundtable consisted of presentations from each of the participating countries on the state of early childhood and their national priorities for investment in children. Experts such as Professor James J. Heckman (Nobel prize winning economist), Professor Nathan Fox (renowned development psychologist), Dr. John Bennett (an expert in the economics of early childhood policy) and Professor Stuart Shanker (who spoke on the neuroscience of child development) also spoke from their respective disciplines about the critical imperative to support high quality early childhood programs and experiences for children.

The highlight of the Roundtable was the development of a series of recommendations as a call to arms in support of the children and families of the countries in this region.

The Roundtable and conference highlighted the seemingly overwhelming challenges children face growing up in a world filled with deprivation, disease, violence and economic hardship. Yet we’ve learned that by providing a nurturing, responsive and supportive environment we can promote children’s healthy development and, ultimately, their ability to participate and contribute as productive citizens of the world.

The incredible courage, passion, and commitment to improving the lives of children - from a preschool teacher in Romania to the Ministers of Education to luminaries in economics, neuropsychology, and child development to educators from more than 50 nations - gives hope and inspiration that we can make the world a better place for children if we dedicate ourselves to making that dream a reality and if we have the political and social will to do so.

There is no one solution to these issues, but if each of us participates in the process in our own way, in our local communities or on the world stage, with our own children or in support of children around the world, we will all benefit from the economic and social returns of investing in our children.

States’ Approach To Budget Issues Threaten Early Childhood Education

As states face increasing budget shortages, they inevitably look for places to raise additional revenue or to cut services. Unfortunately, education and services to children and families are often the victims of this process, risking the well-being of the children and our nation. This year we have seen states make it harder for families, particularly lower income families, to access high quality early childhood education programs or for providers to offer services to families who may have limited funds.

A variety of direct and indirect approaches are being used, from reducing reimbursement rates for children from low income families, increasing parent co-pays, or restricting eligibility. But almost whatever their form, these actions have adverse consequences for both parents and children.  

Recently Arizona announced a proposed increase in the licensing fees for child care centers to an unprecedented level, which threatens the viability of centers that are already struggling to make ends meet while providing quality care to Arizona’s children. If approved, the cost of a license would increase from $150 to as much as $13,442 per center. That is an unfathomable increase despite the fact that neither centers nor children will receive any additional services from the state. Unfortunately, centers will have to respond by either passing the cost on to parents, or by cutting back on staff, educational supplies, facilities—or perhaps shut down completely, leaving families scrambling to find quality care.   To learn more about the changes in Arizona, or to contact members of the Arizona legislature, go to:  http://www.azcca.org/  

In Ohio, the Early Learning Initiative (ELI) Pre-K program was eliminated. Statewide more than 14,000 children lost access to care.  As a result fewer children will be ready for kindergarten, early childhood education teachers lost their jobs and may well leave the industry never to return, and many families have had to choose between continuing to work or compromising the quality of care and supervision their children receive.

Ohio also cut its already low reimbursement rates for children.  The state now pays, on average, about 20 percent less than the minimum level the federal government recommends, with an even wider gap for infants, our most vulnerable children. As a result, children statewide are being displaced from their programs, with the growing risk that programs may need to curtail services even further. Those who need quality care most are being deprived access to the very programs that can make a difference in their school readiness, academic performance and, ultimately, their ability to contribute to our society and our nation’s economy. We are shortchanging their future, and ours.  To learn more about developments in Ohio visit:  http://www.oaccp.org/

As parents we cannot take for granted that policy makers will act in the best interests of our children unless they know that we are engaged in the process, with a loud voice and a quick call to action. This is a particularly important time to find out what is happening in your state and your community and to ensure that your voice is heard. 

One way to learn about developments in early care and education, at both the federal and state levels, is to sign up to receive the monthly newsletter and issue alerts of our public policy partner, the Early Care and Education Consortium. Stay informed and let your elected representatives know that the most important investment they can make in the future of our nation is in the education of young children.  Together we can build a better world for the next generation of Americans.

Dr. Goodall Inspires Hope for Our Future

Dr. Jane Goodall was honored last Thursday at a reception in Berkeley, California, and she spoke about her lifelong work with animals in Africa and specifically about her youth organization Roots and Shoots.

Best known for her study of chimpanzee behavior in the Gombe National Park in Tanzania, starting in the 1960’s, Dr. Goodall has achieved international acclaim as a conservationist and a humanitarian. Although she recounted many fascinating stories about her time among the chimpanzees and her life’s journeys, what was most compelling is her emphatic belief that the world can be made a better place for all living things, despite the challenges we face.

Founded in the 1990’s, Roots and Shoots is the global youth initiative of the Jane Goodall Institute. Now in more than 100 countries, Roots and Shoots channels the passion and energy of youth around the world into community service projects that reflect a concern for people, for animals, and for the environment. Children as young as 13 can start or lead their own groups in their communities (or even younger with adult support). Alternatively, they can join an existing group and become involved in an ongoing project that is of importance to them.

It was inspiring to hear Dr. Goodall’s message of hope for our future and the power of the individual to make a difference in the world. It was also particularly poignant to hear questions and comments from the children in the audience who were so clearly inspired by Dr. Goodall, her work with animals, and her message of possibility. When we look to the challenges that we face today, many of which we will inevitably pass on to our children, there is comfort in seeing the power that children possess when they believe in themselves and the better future that they will create.