For Family Y Child Care Teachers, the Learning Never Stops ...

The Westport Weston Family Y?s Early Learning Program ? encompassing enriching programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, Kinderkids, and school age children ? begins its Fall session on Aug. 20. But it?s not like the teachers of this highly regarded program have taken the summer off. Aside from offering a summer full of exciting curricula, before the bell rings in another school year, there?s a week of professional development workshops (including home visits to create/strengthen bonds between teachers and families).

Indeed, like the young children in their care, learning never stops for the Family Y?s teachers.

?This fall we?re working closely with Norwalk Community College (NCC) to enhance our teachers? skills with the specific age groups and the children they are teaching,? says Tasha Dennison, Senior Director of Child Care and School Age programs for the Family Y. ?Even if you have a Master?s degree in education ? and all our teachers do have college degrees ? knowing where your group is developmentally and teaching specifically to that age group is essential. That?s where our connections to professors in the Early Childhood Department at NCC are going to be helpful.?

Serving children in its range of programs for kids from six months to fifth grade and operating five days a week, from 7 am to 6 pm, the Family Y is the area?s largest, most comprehensive provider of child care services. It?s also one of the few local programs to be accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation?s leading organization of early childhood professionals.

?A mark of excellence held by just 8 percent of programs in the country, NAEYC accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early-learning experiences possible,? says Rob Reeves, Family Y CEO.

The curriculum in each room of the Family Y?s child care center, located in a large suite of classrooms and offices in what was once the downstairs bowling alley and billiards room of the Y?s downtown Bedford Building, is built around the strengths, needs and interests of the individual children. The teachers in each room use their knowledge about child development, regarding what is age appropriate, and then customize the classroom to what is individually appropriate.

A great example of this expertise in practice (and play) is Kelly Russo, or ?Miss Kelly? to all who know her.

?Kelly is the head teacher of our infant & toddler program and she teaches our Kinderkids in the afternoon. Though she has a degree from NCC, she?ll be going back for specialized certification in infant/toddler development,? says Dennison. ?There^?s always something cutting-edge and new in early learning, so it?s important for our teachers and me to stay on the pulse of what?s new and what?s changing ? specifically, in terms of curriculum and the most developmentally appropriate practices.?

?Kelly is described as a ?powerhouse.? I think that speaks to her ability to connect with the children, and their parents, know the children?s schedules during the day and anticipating their needs. Kelly?s funny and takes things in stride. If someone?s having a meltdown in the corner, she?ll say, ?I?m here for you, I?m listening and I?m ready when you are.? She?s patient, and loving ? and has a great reputation around town. I know parents tell others who are looking to place their children, say, ?you want Miss Kelly???

When asked to describe what stands out in her career at the Y, one thing Kelly Russo will tell you is ?siblings.? Not hers ? but those of her Y family. ?I?ll have a child go on to kindergarten, and then I?ll get their younger brother or sister. It?s good to have roots like that in the community,? says Russo, who has been teaching at the Family Y for 12 years and resides in Bridgeport.

In addition to keeping up with early education developments and innovations, earlier this year the Family Y?s Early Learning Program also incorporated new standards developed by the YMCA of the USA and other national groups to ensure that more children have access to healthy food and physical activity.

?Part of our certification program with Norwalk Community College is Health Safety and Nutrition, which brings us even more in line with the Y USA?s healthy living standards,? says Dennison.

The Westport Weston Family Y Early Learning Program offers developmentally appropriate care to meet the needs of families who live and work in Westport, Weston and surrounding communities. Financial aid is available.

For more information about the Family Y?s Early Learning and School Age programs, please visit www.westporty.org, or contact Tasha Dennison, at 203-226-8981, ext. 113, or tdennison@westporty.org.

Source: http://westport.patch.com/announcements/for-family-y-child-care-teachers-the-learning-never-stops

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