With the Thanksgiving holiday this month the TTLC Board of Directors would like to “give thanks” for a staff of 30 dedicated, well trained, and experienced employees. Staff turn-over is an important issue in early childhood education. A stable staff is one of the highest indicators of quality care. A local survey revealed that the average length of employment in child care centers is 3 months with almost 1/2 of all center positions experiencing turn-over each year! Because we have directors with from 17 – 39 years of experience and our 23 teachers range from 1-26 years of experience, we have been able to incorporate new teachers with fresh ideas into our staff. More than one half of the staff have over 5 years of employment with us. Our average length of employment at TTLC is 8 years 7 months.
The education of employees is another important indicator of a quality center. TTLC requires an educational background related to the care and education of young children: 6 staff have an AAS, 4 have been awarded CDA certification (a proficiency based credential which requires extensive non-credit training and evaluation by an outside observer). Ninety percent of our staff have college classes in child development. All staff members complete at least 20 hours of non-credit inservice training each year, all have CPR training and certification, 9 have Food Preparation and Sanitation certification.
This is a fine staff but equally important is the leadership provided by the Executive Director. With 31 years of experience at TTLC, an AAS in Early Childhood Education, and a B. S. in Business, she provides the training and motivation necessary to enable the staff to operate at their best.
Our Curriculum Consultant with 48 years experience at TTLC, a B.S. in Early Childhood Education, an M.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, and additional hours towards an Ed. D. provides a learning program geared to individual children.
Please join the board in thanking the staff for the quality of care they provide for your children!
Since you bring your children back to the center day after day, we must assume you are pleased with the services you receive, but please join the board in expressing to the staff your appreciation for the quality of care they provide for your children! How do you do this? Say it! Tell the teacher, tell her boss, tell a friend. Compliments motivate people to work even harder. Smile it! Even when you are busy and the day has gone all wrong, a smile or a shared laugh will make both you and the teacher feel better. Write It! A quick note or a card for no particular reason will let the teacher know you are interested and appreciative. Show it! Actions always speak louder than words, do the little things that will make a teacher’s life easier: label coats and other belongings; if a sibling accompanies you to the center watch them and insist that they follow all rules; see that your child puts away toys before leaving; stick to the school rules and don’t ask for special privileges; drop off and pick up children at the scheduled time, don’t be late; turn off Power Rangers and encourage productive play at home.
Oh, and by the way, “Thanks for being such great parents!”
TTLC BOARD OF DIRECTORS