The following are two comments sent regarding the car alarm issue. I had trouble getting them to "publish" but felt they were important so I have cut/pasted them here! Please feel free to add your comments as well, this is an important topic and affects many children's safety as well as provider's businesses.
Thanks!
Patricia
CAR ALARM COMMENTS...
Hello. My name is Stefani Gallagher (Teach and Tumble Daycare, Inc.) and I am from New York. This law has not been passed here yet. I'm surprised due to our tight regulations. I agree with this law completely. No children should be left unattended on a bus. In NY last year a disabled child was left on a bus overnight. The thought is terrible. Would you pay $100 to ensure your child was never left on a bus alone? Another incident here was a church bus driver exited his vehicle of children, and the vehicle was hijacked with the kids in it. This is a preventative measure and everyone should respect it. The only problem is when you leave your vehicle to get the kids out. How will that work with the alarm?Perhaps I do not know enough about these alarms, but we strive for quality. So when we do get our vehicle it will have this alarm, regulated or not.
Thank you,
Stefani
www.TeachandTumbleDaycare.com
ANOTHER COMMENT...
My concerns go beyond the price of the alarms. I ... My concerns go beyond the price of the alarms. I did some research into the alarms offered, and the one I would pick was still too large to be able to install in my Suburban. On top of this, I used to alternate vehicles with my husband, depending on how many children were there, and what he needed to do for work, so we would have needed one in our van too. And, the way the law is written, it is unclear on whether or not we could "disable" it for his use, so he would probably have to go to the back of the vehicle to turn it off every day at work. Not something that would have been accepted by him. Also, when we are doing personal errands or vacations in our vehicles, it might require us to also go into the back of the vehicle to shut off the alarm. These are our personal vehicles, not dedicated child-care vehicles, as the law seems to imply.When the technology is more advanced for smaller family-type vehicles, rather than busses, I will be more than willing to install some sort of safety device and continue doing field trips. As for not, I am limited to walking trips or using a volunteer with a car and only taking two children on trips. Since I am not actively looking for children at this time, I will only have two this fall, so I will be able to do a few trips that way. Also, the systems cannot detect if a child is actually in the vehicle. There is a switch or button to turn off in the back of the vehicle that, if not pressed, will cause some sort of alarm to go off, alerting passers-by that a child might be in the vehicle. As far as I could see, Tennessee is the only state that has a similar law, though my senator seems sure there will be more states passing laws like this. I would encourage child care providers and advocacy groups to watch closely and voice your opinion before laws are passed to assure that all needs and concerns are addressed. The "public hearing" in Wisconsin had an attendence of 8, and two were from alarm companies. Family care was not represented, even by the family child care union.Lastly, licensing has not promulgated rules yet, so that process is something we in WI should be involved in somehow. The two people in licensing that I have talked to had some different opinions about the way the law should be interpretted. They are also reading into it more than the actual law says.
Katie Jorgensen
Neillsville, WI
Monday, October 5, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Vehicle Alarm Requirement in Wisconsin
Many of you have written to me with concern over the new rule here in Wisconsin that requires all child care providers, centers and schools caring for young children and transporting more than 6 at a time to install a vehicle alarm. The alarms are designed to go off if the driver leaves the vehicle and a child remains inside in order to protect children from being left in hot vehicles or forgotten. It is a reaction to an incident here in Wisconsin that led to a child's death.
Many family child care providers are particulary upset by this since the cost of the alarms is around $100, a hefty sum for those in this business. Some are questioning whether or not to continue to offer field trips in their program. Some are even questioning whether or not to remain licensed, or to switch to unregulated (legal) care.
The information on this ruling, and a list of sources for obtaining an alarm are posted on the Department of Children and Families website at: http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/memos/BRL/BRLINDEX.htm
Personally, I would have remained licensed - my program was always about quality and I'm a firm believer that being licensed and NAFCC Accredited are symbols of this quality. Also, I would have installed the alarm, despite the high cost. I am also a firm believer in field trips, so I figure if I broke down the 52 field trips I took each year, it would cost me $2 per field trip to afford the alarm. I'd happily pay someone $2 to get to do a field trip anytime.
In the end, it's about priorities, I've shared mine, now I'd love to hear yours! What do you think about this rule? Do you have it in your state? If you don't, and it was introduced, what would you do? If you live in Wisconsin, what do you plan to do about it? Let's talk.
Many family child care providers are particulary upset by this since the cost of the alarms is around $100, a hefty sum for those in this business. Some are questioning whether or not to continue to offer field trips in their program. Some are even questioning whether or not to remain licensed, or to switch to unregulated (legal) care.
The information on this ruling, and a list of sources for obtaining an alarm are posted on the Department of Children and Families website at: http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/memos/BRL/BRLINDEX.htm
Personally, I would have remained licensed - my program was always about quality and I'm a firm believer that being licensed and NAFCC Accredited are symbols of this quality. Also, I would have installed the alarm, despite the high cost. I am also a firm believer in field trips, so I figure if I broke down the 52 field trips I took each year, it would cost me $2 per field trip to afford the alarm. I'd happily pay someone $2 to get to do a field trip anytime.
In the end, it's about priorities, I've shared mine, now I'd love to hear yours! What do you think about this rule? Do you have it in your state? If you don't, and it was introduced, what would you do? If you live in Wisconsin, what do you plan to do about it? Let's talk.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
The Wisconsin Budget and It's Affect on Child Care
The budget is finally done here in Wisconsin, and it's a mixed brew for children and child care providers. While the quality rating system was not approved, direction for creating a more detailed and informed system for implementing the rating scale was given to DCF. The Early Learning Coalition (of which I am a member, representing the WFCCA) was successful in stopping legislation meant to be cost saving for the WI Shares program, but detrimental to providers. Instead, legislators adopted the "Coalition Package" which provides cost savings, but is more user friendly for providers.
To get more information on the budget and it's affect on child care in Wisconsin visit the website for the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families at: www.wccf.org
To get more information on the budget and it's affect on child care in Wisconsin visit the website for the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families at: www.wccf.org
Policy Brief: Economic Benefits of Investing in Early Learning
Wisconsin Council on Children and Families has just released an excellent policy brief on the economic benefits of investing in early learning. While created in Wisconsin, this document can be beneficial to any group across the nation looking for materials to present to legislators to inform them of the importance of investing in early learning.
The policy brief explores:
-the importance of early brain development
-the extraordinary research on the positive effects of high-quality early childhood programs,
-the strong return on investment from early childhood interventions, and
-implications for public policy.
To read the brief, visit: http://www.wccf.org/pdf/great_start_investment_ece.pdf
The policy brief explores:
-the importance of early brain development
-the extraordinary research on the positive effects of high-quality early childhood programs,
-the strong return on investment from early childhood interventions, and
-implications for public policy.
To read the brief, visit: http://www.wccf.org/pdf/great_start_investment_ece.pdf
Preparing for H1N1 and the Upcoming Flu Season
The President's advisor on Homeland Security circulated an email to providers, teachers, parents, and other interested parties in regards to the upcoming flu season. They have posted information on their website to help these parties to protect children from the flu, in particular to be prepared for defense against the H1N1 Influenza. To learn how to be prepared and to help promote public awareness of this important issue visit: www.Flu.gov.
Wisconsin Shares Audit Results
If you are a Wisconsin child care provider you are probably aware of the Milwaukee Sentinel articles this past spring exposing two providers in Milwaukee for committing fraud against the system. These series of fraud articles led to a quick formation of an audit committee to look over the program integrity and find the errors that allowed such fraud and misuse to occur. The results of that audit are now available.
The Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau reports that 400 cases were reviewed during the audit and they estimate that providers received $4.0 million in improper subsidy payments as a result of errors or potentially fraudulent reporting.
As it is likely these findings will result in changes to the system, it is important for all providers to be aware of this report. To read a summary and the full report visit: http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/lab
The Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau reports that 400 cases were reviewed during the audit and they estimate that providers received $4.0 million in improper subsidy payments as a result of errors or potentially fraudulent reporting.
As it is likely these findings will result in changes to the system, it is important for all providers to be aware of this report. To read a summary and the full report visit: http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/lab
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Book Review: More Help!
Another great book to share! This one is full of inspiring stories and activities to get the creative juices flowing for any teacher!
Patricia
Book Review:
More Help! For Teachers of Young Children
by Patricia Dischler
Author Gwen Snyder Kaltman brings yet another fantastic resource for early childhood teachers in her book, More Help! For Teachers of Young Children, 99 Tips to Promote Intellectual Development and Creativity, (Corwin Press, 2006), sharing experiences from her 25+ years of experience in working with children, parents and teachers to provide insight and inspiration. The book supplies teachers with a template for creating classrooms that foster curiosity and creativity, giving children “the freedom to control their learning without letting a classroom get out of control.” The format for the book makes it enjoyable reading, starting with a concept, illustrated by one of Gwen’s personal stories, a review of the lesson learned, then a self-assessment for the teacher to help identify where changes need to be made. She provides lists of activities to support each concept and her engaging stories are ones teachers can relate to, making implementing them into their own classrooms that much easier. The author is an advocate for children, supporting teachers in their quest for finding the balance between teacher planned activities and child lead. Her focus is on the children, following their interests, and creating an environment that supports their creativity. The book is filled with practical, use-it-today type of activities that teachers can take to make a difference in the learning atmosphere in their classrooms. The activities provide outlets for the child’s natural urge to explore their world and learn about it and their place in it. The self assessment tools after each concept challenge the reader to be honest about their current practices in order to implement real change and improvement. Teachers will not only be inspired by the engaging stories, but be provided with the means to bring those same stories to life in their own classrooms. More Help is exactly that – help for teachers, a helping hand and friend to guide you along the way, the kind of resource you will use again and again, the one you will turn to when things go array because you know it will get you back onto the path of success!
More Help! For Teachers of Young Children
99 Tips to Promote Intellectual Development and Creativity, (Corwin Press, 2006)
is available at: www.corwinpress.com.
Patricia
Book Review:
More Help! For Teachers of Young Children
by Patricia Dischler
Author Gwen Snyder Kaltman brings yet another fantastic resource for early childhood teachers in her book, More Help! For Teachers of Young Children, 99 Tips to Promote Intellectual Development and Creativity, (Corwin Press, 2006), sharing experiences from her 25+ years of experience in working with children, parents and teachers to provide insight and inspiration. The book supplies teachers with a template for creating classrooms that foster curiosity and creativity, giving children “the freedom to control their learning without letting a classroom get out of control.” The format for the book makes it enjoyable reading, starting with a concept, illustrated by one of Gwen’s personal stories, a review of the lesson learned, then a self-assessment for the teacher to help identify where changes need to be made. She provides lists of activities to support each concept and her engaging stories are ones teachers can relate to, making implementing them into their own classrooms that much easier. The author is an advocate for children, supporting teachers in their quest for finding the balance between teacher planned activities and child lead. Her focus is on the children, following their interests, and creating an environment that supports their creativity. The book is filled with practical, use-it-today type of activities that teachers can take to make a difference in the learning atmosphere in their classrooms. The activities provide outlets for the child’s natural urge to explore their world and learn about it and their place in it. The self assessment tools after each concept challenge the reader to be honest about their current practices in order to implement real change and improvement. Teachers will not only be inspired by the engaging stories, but be provided with the means to bring those same stories to life in their own classrooms. More Help is exactly that – help for teachers, a helping hand and friend to guide you along the way, the kind of resource you will use again and again, the one you will turn to when things go array because you know it will get you back onto the path of success!
More Help! For Teachers of Young Children
99 Tips to Promote Intellectual Development and Creativity, (Corwin Press, 2006)
is available at: www.corwinpress.com.
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