Coordinator Fact Sheets

BUILD POSITIVE SELF-IDENTITY

A child’s self-identity begins to develop during an infant’s earliest experiences. When infant’s needs are met, when you smile at an infant, and when you talk to an infant, all contribute to the infant developing a positive self-identity.

Preschool children learn self-identity in two ways.

• Physical identity – a sense of size, strength, gender and race or racial awareness
• Personal identity – children’s perception of themselves as a person with ideas, feelings, a history, and a future.

EFFECTIVELY GETTING YOUR MESSAGE ACROSS

Communication skills are necessary to get your message across. Many times you are required to introduce new child care regulations, and conduct training on how to implement new requirements. Occasionally providers will resist change, therefore it is your responsibility to get the message across in an accurate way. Providers will be influenced by the way you present the message.

DOGS AND PETS IN HOMES

More than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year. There are many instances when Monitors are injured by household pets. It’s difficult to determine which breed of dog is most likely to be aggressive. So don’t assume that a pet is safe regardless of what the provider tells you.

CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK

When working with your providers, feedback is very important. This allows the provider to evaluate how they are doing. As adults, we don’t often praise our own accomplishments. We feel as if we are bragging to say, “Look what a great job I did.” Therefore, when you show your providers you notice even small things, it gives them a feeling that their efforts are appreciated.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Confidentiality is always an important consideration because of the types of written information you may have in your possession. Documents, personal information, and reports should all be kept in a safe place. Never leave these items out for other to see. What does that mean? If you are using your family car to make your visits, make sure that you do not leave personal information in your car at the end of the day.

A collaborative working relationship is a positive way to build assurance with a provider when you are evaluating their program. Your job is to assure that all regulatory and contractual agreements are carried out. Building that collaborative relationship takes patience, respect, and good communication.

BE A GOOD REPRESENTATIVE

Providers may be affiliated with many organizations. They are part of the State voucher program and are caring for children whose care is subsidized by the State. They are part of Federal programs like the CACFP. In addition, you are visiting the provider because she is part of Bethel Child Care and Provider’s food program. In most instances the only person your providers are acquainted with is you, their Monitor. You are the ‘face of your organization”. You are the person the provider sees at their front door on a regular basis.

One of the most important skills you can develop is how to manage your time efficiently. Know yourself and your personality. If you are a procrastinator, you need to seriously examine your thinking and take steps to change this pattern. This does not happen overnight it takes hard work and planning.

ASSERTIVE LISTENING

How many times have you been having a discussion with someone and they are so busy thinking about what they are going to say they are not listening to what you are saying? It can be very frustrating to feel that the person you are talking to does not value what you are saying enough to listen. It is so important that you show your provider’s that you respect and want to understand their point of view.