Teachstone has long been an advocate of using CLASS in a variety of educational settings. We're proud to have two case studies about family child care (FCC) settings!
Family child care often presents different challenges for teachers, observers, and admins/directors. FCC providers usually have mixed-age groups, they might involve multiple adults being present in the same room, and they sometimes serve lower numbers of children. A few years ago we published a white paper on FCC homes, Using the CLASS Measure in Family Child Care Homes. In it, we discussed these unique challenges that observers face and recommendations for addressing them.
Our Ventura County Case Study and First 5 Santa Clara County Case Study both discuss how myTeachstone was used in FCC settings to support teachers in their classrooms and to improve teacher-child interactions. myTeachstone is especially effective as it allows coaches to give personalized professional development recommendations to teachers. Teachers are able to learn based on their own individual needs and they get to see what effective teacher-child interactions look like in action.
Our coaches carry a very heavy load. myTeachstone has been a great tool because you can reach a lot of teachers
-Sloane Burt, Operations Specialist, Early Childhood Programs, Ventura County Office of Education
Both counties have had promising outcomes after implementing program such as myTeachstone, CLASS Group Coaching, and A CLASS Primer for Teachers. Specifically, in Ventura County, 97% of the FCC providers said that the myTeachstone work, “influenced their teaching practices and interactions with children, providing new ideas and strategies to implement." Not to mention, the county's CLASS tool scores beat national averages in every domain!
If you run a family child care center and want to learn how CLASS can help your teachers and students, shoot us an email. We love talking to different programs and helping them figure out how they can improve teacher-student interactions and student outcomes!
When Covid-19 hit and schools shut down, many of us were certain that it would not impact the 2020-21 school year. But with the pandemic surging and some schools opening up - only to shut down again, it’s clear that Covid is still with us. The length of the pandemic has only heightened concern about Covid related learning loss - especially among underserved populations.
Young infants develop a unique relationship—known as attachment—with their caregivers. To develop secure bonds, infants need to know that at least one person really cares about them. Caregivers provide that comfort by helping infants regulate needs and emotions, such as hunger and sadness. With healthy attachments, infants develop a sense of safety and trust.
Infants need to be held, to have face-to-face interactions, to feel another human heartbeat. By meeting these needs, caregivers foster attachment. Plan how you will meet these essential needs—while keeping yourself and infants safe.
Children need to feel safe before they can explore their surroundings. While curiosity and exploration help awaken children’s talents, teachers help reinforce their learning through guidance and repetition. All children benefit from intentional interactions that inspire them through new experiences—and some children need additional or individualized support.
Given the natural need to be around others, children might have a hard time with social distancing. Organize materials in spaces where two friends can explore together. Make yourself available to facilitate their exploration while ensuring safety.
Toddlers reinforce their trust in caregivers while venturing into the world on their own. Along with stable relationships and independence, they need frequent reminders of behavioral expectations to keep themselves and their peers safe. With support and regulation, educators can help buffer the effects of stress or trauma and promote healthy child development.
Children learn best in a warm, safe environment. While positive interactions strengthen a classroom community, clear safety expectations promote healthiness. Remind children that these measures are in place because you care about them.