Enhancing Quality in Care for Children

By Cherie Kennedy, Home Consultant, Child Care Resource & Referral

Are you a parent or guardian who is confused about how to find quality in child care? There are many quality standards to help improve care for children. One of these is called ChildNet. What is ChildNet? ChildNet is a measure of improving quality in child care. Trained ChildNet providers use best practices to enhance the care they provide. When implemented, best practices result in better quality of life for children, as well as provider success and endurance.

ChildNet providers complete a series of classes that include enrichment activities after each lesson. The activities ensure participants can put the skills they learn into action. Activities focus on proven best practices covered in the classes. Best practices are observable behaviors and actions based upon research in the field of Child Development and Education.

Through ChildNet classes, providers develop and enhance the skills they need to increase the quality of care they offer. ChildNet is an voluntary training that participants choose to attend. Those who complete the training can become ChildNet certified. To do so, providers must complete the training, be in full compliance with the regulations set by the State of Iowa, be an active member of the Child and Adult Food Program, agree to follow best practices, and successfully complete a ChildNet certification visit.

Providers who completed ChildNet have commented on how much they enjoy the classes. The training offers an opportunity for providers to network with their peers and make new friends. It also helps them feel connected, and they really are motivated after they have attended. There is a strong emphasis on professionalism. Providers learn they are professionals who operate a business in their home. They are NOT babysitters!

The following providers are ChildNet certified in Dubuque County:

Kim Fisch, Rhonda Kramer, Karen Bussan, Lisa Ronek, Linda Stovall, Susie Schlichte, Lynda Eigenberger, Jennifer Oberhoffer, Amy Lueck, Carol Lawson, and Melissa Donovan.

For more information on recognizing quality child care, learning about other quality standards, or accessing a list of child care providers in your area – contact Child Care Resource & Referral at (563) 557-1628.
Teaching Our Children to Make the Right Choices
By Gerarda Lahey-Keppler, Psychology Instructor, NICC, and Board Member, Dubuque County Safe Youth Coalition

Who said raising children is easy… only someone who may never have had kids. From the moment a child is born, parents begin to engage in an activity that can cause weight gain, weight loss, sleeplessness, and premature aging. That activity is worrying. It seems to begin almost instantaneously when the baby is put in your arms, and it never ends. Yet there may be a valuable purpose for the endless worry.

We try to minimize worry by teaching our children to take good care of themselves. We tell them the stove is hot, crossing the street can be dangerous, and stay away from the water. We want our children to think before they act, so they can live a long and healthy life. Our responsibility is to help our children learn how to make the right decisions. That way, they will stay safe and won’t harm others as well.

However, as most parents realize, children may know the right choice, but they don’t always make it. In this advanced world, our children are faced with bigger decisions earlier. We just have more to worry about as parents. The old saying is “I hope my children only do half of what I did,” but to be honest, I want that cut down to an even lesser fraction.

One positive thing has come from the changes in today’s society. It is the recognition that kids need more help than ever to make the right choices. We rely on other people to help us raise our children to be good decision makers. Extended family, child care providers, teachers, and even youth organizations are all needed to help in this task. The concept, “It takes a village to raise a child,” is very true. It does. But parents still have the most responsibility in teaching their children.

What can we parents do to help our children make better choices? One way is to model good choices ourselves. Easier said than done, but this is so important. The other thing is to be clear and consistent in communicating which choices we will positively reinforce and those we will punish. Then be consistent! In today’s busy world, parents are tired and we sometimes let things go because it seems easier. This sends mixed messages about right vs. wrong. Also be aware of what your kids are watching on television. Again, it’s easy in theory, but we have to try. There is a lot of garbage on TV.

As parents, our primary role is teacher and role model. The better job we do as teachers, the less we may need to worry. But most parents will continue to worry no matter what. Because that’s what parents do. We love our children so much; it’s the choice we make. After all, we always fear they may be doing at least half of what we did.