What Should A Preschool Teacher Do In Class

The Preschool Teacher's Role

The preschool teacher is hired and paid by the parents in the preschool and plays a vital part in the quality of the preschool program.

The teacher:

• Attends preschool each day the school is in session.
• Works closely with the parent education instructor regarding educational programs and the needs of the group.
• Plans and implements a developmentally appropriate curriculum for the children's preschool.
• Sets up the preschool environment. Directs the preschool's daily schedule, supervising free play, clean-up and leads group times with the children.
• Checks supplies often and sees that they are purchased.
• Directs the parents in their role as assistant teachers, making suggestions that will help parents to work effectively in the classroom and with children.
• Models appropriate interactions with children, to include factual commenting, redirecting and problem solving.
• Attends board and preschool meetings sharing the curriculum and feedback regarding preschool happenings.
• Attends teacher meetings, as well as workshops and classes relating to Early Childhood Education.

Some children adapt readily to preschool, others take their time. No matter how your child reacts to school, allow time to do it in his/her own way.

It is common for children to:

• remain very close to you when you are at preschool.
• interact very little with other children at first.
• say very little about preschool at home.
• change their behavior at home as they try out new independence.
• have more colds and illnesses from contact with more people.

---

To assist your child, you can: give the teacher any information that will help make the adjustment easier. avoid building expectations too high. suggest casually what to expect. tell your child there will be other children of the same age, toys to be used, areas to be explored and friendly, caring adults. give reassurance that you will accompany your child to school and stay as long as needed. provide comfortable clothing. Your child should not have to worry about staying clean. Dress for messy activities and wear sturdy non-skid shoes for climbing. Often adults are surprised to find they have adjustments to make at preschool, just as children do. Many new parents as well as returning parents may find themselves a bit "'lost" at first. Keep in mind this is a common reaction. You may feel a bit overwhelmed: How do you function as an assistant teacher? Where are all the supplies and equipment located? What is the daily schedule? What are the procedures /policies? You may be somewhat anxious. You wonder: Will all these people think that I am an "OK" parent? Is my child "OK?"' Will my child like preschool? You may feel isolated: There will be many people you don't know. You may find it difficult to ask questions. Everyone else seems to know what they're doing. You can function smoothly if you can remember that: No one can learn everything at once. Interacting with children and adults, learning guidance techniques and learning to use equipment and supplies is a continuous process -- it takes all year, at least. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even of a beginning parent. It is an excellent way to become acquainted and lose that feeling of isolation. The teacher and instructor are resource people. Talk to them when you have doubts about handling situations with children or need some extra help. Play and Work at School General Guidelines: Teach children and enforce rules about areas that are off limits for children. Keep floors free of spills, toys, paper or other tripping, slipping hazards. No hot beverages in the children's classroom. If you discover a safety hazard, please remove it from use and report it to the teacher. Walk indoors - running is not allowed. Building blocks follow the 'no higher than the shoulder of the shortest child who is playing in the area' rule. Teachers evaluate the safe limits of children in each play/work area. Parents enforce this by establishing waiting lists or encouraging children to play in another area. Remember that children need particularly close supervision when using tools or equipment for cooking, carpentry, gardening, etc. In Climbing Areas: Parents will be posted at strategic places to ensure safe use of equipment. This takes particular vigilance on the part of parents. Your job win be to stay close enough (within arm's reach and with hands free) to react quickly, to teach children to negotiate equipment successfully and to follow the climbing rules: keep both hands free (i.e., no toys, blankets, etc.) slide feet first wear rubber soled shoes climb in safe clothing (i.e. no long dress up clothes, etc.) be respectful of other climbers (i.e., no pushing, shaking, etc.) If a child does not follow the rules, give one warning, then remove the child from the climber and instruct him to play in another area. Do not leave your work area unattended - get a parent/teacher to replace you. Limit the number of children in this area to an amount which you feel is comfortable for you to supervise or the number which has been set by the teacher, whichever is the smallest number. If you see something that is unsafe or causing a problem, call the teacher. Disease Control All hazardous materials, such as dishwashing soap, bleach and bleach solutions, cleanser, etc. MUST BE KEPT LOCKED at all times, unless in active use, when children are present. The person who unlocks the cupboards is responsible for relocking them after obtaining the necessary supplies. If you suspect you or your child is ill/getting ill, please stay home.

A bleach solution is used for cleaning and disinfecting. The solution must be made fresh each day and dumped out at the end of the day. The solution is:
1/4 teaspoon bleach per quart of water
1 teaspoon bleach per gallon of water
This is not an instance where "more is better."
Toys and other objects which have been in a child's mouth will be cleaned with bleach solution and air dried.
Tables are cleaned with bleach solution before and after snack.
Food preparation tables are cleaned with bleach solution before and after using them.
When using cleaning supplies, do it away from children - keep them in your hands (don't put the bleach bottle down!) This is one time children will not be asked to/allowed to help.
To avoid contact with blood and body fluids, use latex gloves (for example, when administering first aid for nose bleeds, cuts, or changing diapers, etc.)
Children and adults wash hands before eating and after toileting with liquid soap and running water. Encouraging children to sing a song ("Twinkle, Twinkle"') will keep them washing long enough to do a thorough job.
Remember to wash your hands after diapering, nose-blowing, etc.