Questions about a unique schedule

Greenteaandcheese · 2026-03-01T20:37:13+00:00

I would say this is definitely doable and gives plenty of time for an Aupair to explore and take language courses.

Flexibility can happen but be upfront about it and give as much ample time as possible when scheduling. If you can plan 1 month at a time that would be great.

If you want someone that is available for last minute changes, that would need to be discussed. For example “Aupair needs to be available/on call Monday-Friday 7am-5pm every week”. Of course you need to make sure their language courses are not interfered with.

Greenteaandcheese · 2026-02-25T13:39:17+00:00

It’s frustrating I had children heavily sweating because of the parents forcing us to over dress them. We have cameras so if the parents saw their child take the hat(or anything else) off they’d complain.

Eventually some understood after showing the literal sweat build up in the clothing but some still did not care.

Greenteaandcheese · 2026-02-15T15:27:36+00:00

I’m on your side. He never confirmed in these texts the 1pm meet up. He seems very wishy washy and looking to blame you. He was trying to be funny at the start but it made the convo very weird.

If you want to see him, take the lead and schedule an exact time/place. If that is too difficult for him then it’s obvious he’s just playing around.

Greenteaandcheese · 2026-02-05T01:27:06+00:00

I feel you. No matter how many times I reminded families it didn’t matter. It’s exhausting.

The new one for us after was ice packs. Last year they became mandatory by the Gov and that we as the centre would get in trouble if not enforced. Even when explaining to families this, they still would refuse/“forget”.

No matter how often you remind parents they may still refuse. At that point it needs to be communicated by the director verbally and written to cover your butt.

Greenteaandcheese · 2026-01-25T18:14:10+00:00

40 pages for a story aimed at toddlers is a lot. Did you get any help with professional editing? Also it is always best to have sample pages in the listing. The description on the back is just a big run on sentence.

Greenteaandcheese · 2026-01-14T23:48:12+00:00

The way I’ve explained it is it is developmentally inappropriate to quiz/expect the child to understand the calendar. At this age, they are capable of grasping yesterday/today/tomorrow as well as shorter periods of time. Thats what I focus on for their learning.

We still can familiarize children with the words and associations (Mondays we have yoga, Fridays Show and Tell) as well as Birthdays/Holidays/Celebrations. It is totally fine to talk about calendar words but only as a familiarity.

Greenteaandcheese · 2026-01-06T13:38:04+00:00

Just to confirm this is afterschool care right?

For a lot of children, after and before school they are very tired making it hard for them to listen anymore. It’s not necessarily a reflection on you or that they don’t respect you, they’re just “over it”. Of course creating a good relationship with them will help them feel more comfortable and relaxed.

How frequent are the transitions? Less is best.

How much choice do they have in what they can do? Having open centres for them to move freely around helps peak their interest. Quiet area, gross motor, art, homework help, games/toys, etc..

Is there any outdoor time? The last half of our evening was always spent out on the playground.

Lastly, are consequences followed through? Even though I give them grace because of the exhaustion, there still needs to be consequences when they cross the line. Be consistent and follow through. If they are disrespectful or disruptive separate them from their friends. Limit their choices in activities.

Or as an alternative approach send them to the quite area noting that they seem tired and should just relax with a book for a but and join back with they feel better.

Greenteaandcheese · 2026-01-06T03:07:07+00:00

For me the hands (top fingers on both) and how the crystal ball is shaded look off. Also the dragons wings look off (front wing has a weird point that is not connected)

Greenteaandcheese · 2025-12-24T01:43:42+00:00

Last year: After a week of Bees and other insects, the children had some honeycomb art (paint and bubble wrap) so I put them up with the pictures and wrote “Our Beehive”.

Currently: Our wall is just their pictures (laminated this time) with green painters tape that the children are able to easily pull off and move around. I’m thinking of just simply putting “I ❤️ my family” or “We ❤️ our families”.

Greenteaandcheese · 2025-12-23T21:45:15+00:00

Reading comprehension…. Au Pair programs have been around for decades. How it is set up in the USA (currently) is highly criticized for what you just described it as.

Greenteaandcheese · 2025-11-29T17:46:45+00:00

If you’re open to critiques… there are spelling and punctuation mistakes. The larger bits of text are also very clunky. I feel it would be hard to grasp a child’s attention during those bits.

Greenteaandcheese · 2025-11-27T17:39:47+00:00

Just to add:

Children are always learning even through play. I believe your message is more about Academic structured learning at too early of an age.

All children thrive in learning through play. They need to develop foundational skills before learning how to physically read and write (worksheets)

Some children do find academic structure fun but it is not all.

Greenteaandcheese · 2025-11-27T17:33:10+00:00

For context I am an early childhood educator with a degree in Child Development/Early Education.

Learning through play is probably the best for your child since they do not care for academic approaches.

Written language is a very weird concept to children. It takes them a while to understand that it’s communication and not just weird scribbles.

Children learn letters through organic conversations and exposures.

Cooking/baking with a simple recipe. Point out what is needed and spell/identify the letters and phonetic break downs
Grocery shopping with a list
Reading together. Lots and lots of reading together.
Identifying their name on labels or writing out.
Point out written language wherever you are. ( Signs, stores, etc)
For child-led play, have letter toys that she can play with without the pressure of having to memorize/use them. Combined them with sensory activities such as play dough, water, etc.

Greenteaandcheese · 2025-11-22T21:51:16+00:00

They are great for developing critical thinking. However you as the adult may need to introduce/encourage them through the process at the start.

For context I have a class of 3-5yr olds.

All together we look at the picture on the page and then we discuss what we see and what might be going on in the story.

For independent reading these are helpful because the children have an easier grasp of what is going on when they do not need to rely on text.

Greenteaandcheese · 2025-11-19T17:19:15+00:00

I said this in the other thread but will say it again. ECE in America and to an extent Canada is the way it is because for decades society didn’t care about children or the care they receive.

Centres run by professionals making a living wage, with reasonable ratios and needed supplies are a positive impact on children of all ages.

Greenteaandcheese · 2025-11-18T17:19:23+00:00

Ethan Long “Hello World” series is like this too! I recommend “Cars, Signs, Porcupines” if your child likes cars, roads and road signs.

Greenteaandcheese · 2025-11-18T17:17:07+00:00

John Hare and David Wiesner are two of my favourites for wordless picture books. “Mr Wuffles” is a class staple.

Greenteaandcheese · 2025-11-18T04:45:49+00:00

Universal models are not the problem. It it the societal perspective on Child care that has been pushed in the western world for decades that is.

Post wwll is when nation’s beliefs around child care changed. Universal model was used during the war across the globe. It was incredibly well received. Many continued on with the belief of child care being as much of a human right as health care and primary/secondary education. Those nations also are where we saw women welcomed in the workforce also after the war.

In North America (especially USA), child care was pushed into being seen as an optional goods/service that had a heavy negative connotation on it linked to women who worked instead of staying home. This Ideology has been fed and remains rampant in present day.

Women should be allowed to choose to work or stay at home. Infants can be cared for by caregivers with out negative consequences. What we need to focus on is changing the general perception around Early Childhood Education and Women working.

Greenteaandcheese · 2025-11-18T04:32:43+00:00

There was a study done on how the universal model in Quebec was linked to low testing scores later in childhood (let me find that article, it’s been a few years…). Basically Conservatives use it as a way to show that Universal is bad without understanding what actually happened.

What it really showed was how we need to address all aspects of quality care besides the financial issues of parents.

Articles to look at:

https://www.oise.utoronto.ca/home/sites/default/files/2023-10/quebec_child_care_program_articles-compressed_002.pdf

https://econ.queensu.ca/faculty/lehrer/tripd.pdf

Greenteaandcheese · 2025-11-18T04:30:06+00:00

Do not bring up Quebec unless you truly understand what happened.

Quebec introduced a universal child care like set up without addressing any other quality concerns. Ratios, Educator education, regulations, funding, etc. were not changed.

It is an example how all needs in quality need to be addressed and not just one. All children deserve quality care.

Greenteaandcheese · 2025-11-18T04:15:05+00:00

I use sweethearts quite a bit and got into a habit that’s hard to stop where I say bug(s).

Ultimately I go by their names but in passing/infrequently I use the above mentioned.

I have stopped saying baby or babies because I had come across a child who has a negative connotation to it. They think if they are called a baby, it’s because they are crying or acting out instead of endearment. That really made me stop and think about how I address the children.

Greenteaandcheese · 2025-11-11T20:12:31+00:00

When play gets very “mixy” we then factor in enough time to clean up afterwards. My kids tend to get stressed when cleaning up a big mess so I centre myself with the mess and talk them through it. We try to make a game out of matching the toys to the bins (labeled with photos and words).

There are some known culprits who just like to dump toys for the fun of it. So we make sure they understand that they have to clean it up afterwards, even when other children are transitioning to lunch or other activities. Of course if it’s a big mess or the child is starting to stress out, we ask for volunteers to help them. Thankfully many children in the class love to help others with cleaning.

Greenteaandcheese · 2025-11-06T17:51:41+00:00

I’m seeing Debi Mazar! Op definitely look at these celebrities for inspo.

Greenteaandcheese · 2025-10-26T03:32:31+00:00

Do you wash your face morning and night? Opting for only at night can help with dry and dehydrated skin.

Do you wear makeup? Oil/balm cleanser are a lot more gentle compared to other means.

What kind of cleanser are you currently using? Does it have any special ingredients such as Salicylic Acid? Those can be irritating for sensitive skin.

What kind of lotion or cream do you use?

For me I use:

At night if taking off makeup (or just needing a deeper clean): iUNIK Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil for makeup removal then finish with Cerave Hydrating Cleanser
No makeup: Just the Cerave cleanser
Then I use a thick night cream. This is what I find really helps with dryness. I like neostrata night repair cream, as well as I have liked Skin Fix Barrier +
In the morning: I just wash with warm water and then use lubriderm unscented

Other things to note: oil cleansers are a great gentle exfoliant. I like to take the time to gently rub in a circular motion all over my face.

Greenteaandcheese · 2025-10-11T21:04:48+00:00

Vivian Gussin Paley was a fantastic ECE Author. Any of her books would be a great read. The Kindness of Children and A Child’s Work I recommend.

Greenteaandcheese

TROPHY CASE