Daycare assistant BY ALEXANDRA DAGELET

Work Place  Back to Basics Daycare Center  209 West 13th Street, N. Van, BC V7M 3K8  Contact info: Phone: (604) or (604) Fax: (604)  The daycare had been operating in the same location since 2004 x

Schedule I work every week from 2:00PM to 5:00PM on Mondays (Week 2) & Tuesdays (Week 1) I work a total of 3 hours each day Currently, I have 21 hours completed Days worked on: Dec. 11, 2012 Dec. 17, 2012 Jan. 8, 2013 Jan. 14, 2013 Jan. 22, 2013 Jan. 28, 2013 Feb. 5, 2013

Description of Work Place  As a daycare teacher, they're resposible to teach and look after the children's basic care in a nurturing environment while the children's parents are working.  There are 4 licensed programs at the daycare: 1. Baby Basics Infant to 18 months 2. Beginner Basics 18 month to 3 yrs 3. Beyond Basics 3 to 4 yrs 4. Above & Beyond Basics 4 to 5 yrs  There are one or two teachers in each room. Sometimes, teachers alternate, and sometimes some kids get put into certain rooms if there's fewer kids.  My supervisor is Kim Marshall, and the two teachers I assist are Val and Danielle.  Some things that could be changed about the daycare to make it a better experience for students are, for example, allowing more students to volunteer. This might be difficult to do considering the small classrooms and the amount of children in a room, but maybe the volunteers would feel more comfortable working with other student volunteers.  However, if I were to do this again, I would pick the same work placement because it is a nice environment to work in and I learn more things about taking care of kids. To become a daycare worker: Minimum high school diploma required Must pass criminal record check and have CPR and first aid certification Pay: Between $15-20 hourly

My Duties  My duties include helping out, playing with the kids and observing what it's like to work at a daycare  I help with cutting out crafts, opening blinds after nap time, putting away mattresses, reading & playing with the kids, help prepare them for other activities, help them dress, etc.  Now and then I help sweep up around the coat area and get rid of the remaining dirt that the children could not stomp off of their boots.

New Skills Gained  While working here, I've gained some social skills. Because my job involves talking and reading to children, I am now less timid and more comfortable when interacting with the three-year-olds.  When talking to one of the teachers, she has mentioned that she used to be uncomfortable with reading aloud, but now that this is her job, she reads with ease.  I also learned to take the initiative and try to find a job to do at the workplace.

Events that happened First day blog entry: Day 1: Dec. 11, 2012 Hours worked: 3 hours Today, I was shown around by Kim Marshall (my supervisor) and later appointed to the room where I would be assisting other teachers. Throughout the day, I received help from another teacher there, Val, and was told the children’s daily schedule (such as nap time, bathroom break, snack time, playing time outside, etc). I helped tidy up after nap time as well as helped the kids put on their shoes. I also assisted the teachers with getting the children dressed for outside play time. My first day was also my worst day. It was my worst day because I didn't know any of the kids, or what to do for that matter. I was the only student volunteer in that room, so I felt rather inferior. I felt very awkward standing there, but once I was approached by some of the kids, I felt more comfortable. My best day was the day I got my evaluation back from the daycare teacher, Val. On January 14th, 2013, I got my mid-term evaluation from my teacher and I noticed my flaws. I knew that I was still quite timid and needed to read and talk more to the kids, and I could not fix that problem if I did not face it. So it was the best day because I started practicing my social skills and managed to work on my relationship with the kids. The funniest thing that happened to me at the daycare was that as we were helping the kids get ready to go outside, after I had just finished zipping up this boy's jacket, the same child turned to me, and copying the teacher's tone, told me to get ready myself. The two teachers that had heard his order started laughing and I, laughing myself, rushed to grab my jacket.

My Reflection  I was really surprised with the fact that the children's schedule is so organized. The kids even have scheduled bathroom breaks right after their little reading time. Also, I had expected a daycare to be loud and rowdy, but contrary to my expectations, the kids were very well behaved and were learning manners that would prepare them for preschool. Another thing that surprised me was that some of the daycare teachers weren't what you'd typically imagine a daycare teacher to be like. Despite being very organized and assertive, the teachers seemed to have fun talking to one another and goofing around with the children. Though a bit tired, they seemed very relaxed and comfortable with their job.  Having learned from one of the teachers that she had wanted to be a daycare teacher since the age of four made me wonder about my own future plans. To have a concrete goal at such an early age, I feel, really helps plan for better career options in the future at an easier pace. However, I also realize that not everyone plans so early in life. I wish I had known what kind of career I would have liked to proceed into when I was younger. It would have prevented the stress I currently have to face in decision making, but exploring and testing out different career paths allows me to try out my likes and dislikes so as to not regret it in the future.  I am proud of myself for the following reasons: I have learned to step out of my comfort zone and have interacted more with others, I have been useful and have allowed more time to be added to all my volunteer work, and I have managed to understand a three-year-old's mind (even if it's just a little).  I could improve on my lack of social skills and timid personality.  The person I admired the most at the job was the teacher, Val, because she showed me how to take care of the children and made me take note of my flaws.  If I were to do this job again, I would not be as timid in the beginning but would, instead, try to get to know all of the kids before shying away from the situation.

THE END Alexandra Dagelet Period 8