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| Learning from Kindergarten to College |
Other Care Options
— Nannies
Nannies are employed by the family on either a live-in or live-out, part-time or full-time basis, to undertake all tasks related to the care of children. Duties are generally restricted to child care and the domestic tasks related to the children. The nanny may or may not have had formal training, though often have extensive child care experience and a background in early childhood education. Typically, full-time employed nannies will work 40–60 hours per week. Usually work is unsupervised.
The International Nanny Association (INA) (www.nanny.org) suggests that you contact nanny training programs about the availability of their graduates or that you take advantage of the services offered by nanny placement agencies.
A placement agency is a service company that matches the skills and qualifications of nannies with the needs of families looking for in-home child care. The agency charges a fee to locate and screen nannies for you to consider hiring for your family. A reputable agency will carefully consider your needs and preferences when helping you find a suitable candidate. Placement fees range from $800 to $5,000 and should include a provision to replace the nanny or refund a portion of the fee if the placement does not work out within a certain period of time.
As part of its screening process, the agency should verify the nanny candidate’s personal and employment references and previous child care experience. Many agencies also take nanny fingerprints, check for a criminal record, check the driving record and require a blood test, TB test and/or request a doctor’s statement that the candidate is in good health and free of contagious diseases. Some agencies also require psychological testing or evaluation. In the U.S., the agency should verify that the candidate is an American citizen or is eligible to work legally in the U.S.
Just as the agency will want to ensure that nannies referred to you are suitable candidates, for the nanny’s protection, the agency may also ask you for references. Most agencies will assist you in preparing a job description that summarizes your family’s job duties, comprehension package and other important considerations.
Many placement agency owners are members of INA, and the association suggests that you select an INA member if you decide to use a placement agency’s services to help you locate a nanny.
— Au Pair
Au Pairs are foreign nationals between the ages of 18-26 who enter the United States through the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Au Pair Exchange Program, to experience American life for up to 24 months. Au Pairs in good standing can apply to extend their initial 12- month visit an additional six, nine or 12 months. Au Pairs participate in the life of the host family by providing limited child care services (maximum 10 hours per day, 45 hours per week) and are compensated for their work according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Au Pairs may not be placed in homes with infants three months of age or younger, unless a parent or responsible adult will be in the home supervising the Au Pair. An Au Pair may not be placed in the home with a child two years of age or younger unless they have 200 or more hours of documented child care experience.
Child Care Resources
The Texas Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (TACCRRA) is a statewide network of member agencies representing child care resource and referral agencies, early childhood education programs and other agencies and organizations interested in promoting the development, maintenance and expansion of quality child care services in Texas. (www.taccrra.net)
A membership organization of TACCRRA’s located in San Antonio is Family Service Association (www.family-service.org). The organization’s resource and referral department is your link to information and programs that can assist you with your child care needs. The resource and referral consultants provide parents with direct connections to local child care resources and community agencies, as well as national agencies and information. There are no fees for the association’s basic services and anyone interested in assistance with child care information is encouraged to call (210)-65-SMART (657-6278) or (800) 332-3264 for individualized information on child care and other resources. The referrals provided are intended as referrals only, not as recommendations. Family Service Association Child Care Resource and Referral consultants do not license, endorse or recommend any particular provider.
As you learn more about the San Antono region, you’ll find many private day care facilities including names you already be familiar with such as KinderCare Learning Center, La Petite Academy and neighborhood YMCAs.
10 Indicators that Your Child is in a Good Classroom
If your child is between the ages of 3 and 6 and attends a child care center, preschool, or kindergarten program, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) suggests you look for these 10 signs to make sure your child is in a good classroom.
Also ask if the program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC-accredited programs complete a rigorous self study and external review to prove that they meet standards of excellence in early childhood education.
Texas Public Schools
Since the early days of Texas history, public education was a primary goal, and in 1854, the governor signed the bill that established the Texas public school system. The Texas Educational Code provides the framework for the current public education system, which is overseen by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) (www.tea.state.tx.us) and the State Board of Education. Led by the commissioner of education, the TEA is the administrative unit for primary and secondary education and, among other duties, develops a statewide curriculum, administers statewide assessment programs and rates school districts under the statewide accountability system.
— Nannies
Nannies are employed by the family on either a live-in or live-out, part-time or full-time basis, to undertake all tasks related to the care of children. Duties are generally restricted to child care and the domestic tasks related to the children. The nanny may or may not have had formal training, though often have extensive child care experience and a background in early childhood education. Typically, full-time employed nannies will work 40–60 hours per week. Usually work is unsupervised.
The International Nanny Association (INA) (www.nanny.org) suggests that you contact nanny training programs about the availability of their graduates or that you take advantage of the services offered by nanny placement agencies.
A placement agency is a service company that matches the skills and qualifications of nannies with the needs of families looking for in-home child care. The agency charges a fee to locate and screen nannies for you to consider hiring for your family. A reputable agency will carefully consider your needs and preferences when helping you find a suitable candidate. Placement fees range from $800 to $5,000 and should include a provision to replace the nanny or refund a portion of the fee if the placement does not work out within a certain period of time.
As part of its screening process, the agency should verify the nanny candidate’s personal and employment references and previous child care experience. Many agencies also take nanny fingerprints, check for a criminal record, check the driving record and require a blood test, TB test and/or request a doctor’s statement that the candidate is in good health and free of contagious diseases. Some agencies also require psychological testing or evaluation. In the U.S., the agency should verify that the candidate is an American citizen or is eligible to work legally in the U.S.
Just as the agency will want to ensure that nannies referred to you are suitable candidates, for the nanny’s protection, the agency may also ask you for references. Most agencies will assist you in preparing a job description that summarizes your family’s job duties, comprehension package and other important considerations.
Many placement agency owners are members of INA, and the association suggests that you select an INA member if you decide to use a placement agency’s services to help you locate a nanny.
— Au Pair
Au Pairs are foreign nationals between the ages of 18-26 who enter the United States through the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Au Pair Exchange Program, to experience American life for up to 24 months. Au Pairs in good standing can apply to extend their initial 12- month visit an additional six, nine or 12 months. Au Pairs participate in the life of the host family by providing limited child care services (maximum 10 hours per day, 45 hours per week) and are compensated for their work according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Au Pairs may not be placed in homes with infants three months of age or younger, unless a parent or responsible adult will be in the home supervising the Au Pair. An Au Pair may not be placed in the home with a child two years of age or younger unless they have 200 or more hours of documented child care experience.
Child Care Resources
The Texas Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (TACCRRA) is a statewide network of member agencies representing child care resource and referral agencies, early childhood education programs and other agencies and organizations interested in promoting the development, maintenance and expansion of quality child care services in Texas. (www.taccrra.net)
A membership organization of TACCRRA’s located in San Antonio is Family Service Association (www.family-service.org). The organization’s resource and referral department is your link to information and programs that can assist you with your child care needs. The resource and referral consultants provide parents with direct connections to local child care resources and community agencies, as well as national agencies and information. There are no fees for the association’s basic services and anyone interested in assistance with child care information is encouraged to call (210)-65-SMART (657-6278) or (800) 332-3264 for individualized information on child care and other resources. The referrals provided are intended as referrals only, not as recommendations. Family Service Association Child Care Resource and Referral consultants do not license, endorse or recommend any particular provider.
As you learn more about the San Antono region, you’ll find many private day care facilities including names you already be familiar with such as KinderCare Learning Center, La Petite Academy and neighborhood YMCAs.
10 Indicators that Your Child is in a Good Classroom
If your child is between the ages of 3 and 6 and attends a child care center, preschool, or kindergarten program, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) suggests you look for these 10 signs to make sure your child is in a good classroom.
- Children spend most of their playing and working with materials or other children. They do not wander aimlessly, and they are not expected to sit quietly for long periods of time.
- Children have access to various activities throughout the day. Look for assorted building blocks and other construction materials, props for pretend play, picture books, paints and other art materials, and table toys such as matching games, pegboards, and puzzles. Children should not all be doing the same thing at the same time.
- Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group at different times during the day. They do not spend all their time with the whole group.
- The classroom is decorated with children’s original artwork, their own writing with invented spelling, and stories dictated by children to teachers.
- Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their everyday experiences. The natural world of plants and animals and meaningful activities like cooking, taking attendance, or serving snack provide the basis for learning activities.
- Children work on projects and have long periods of time (at least one hour) to play and explore. Worksheets are used little if at all.
- Children have an opportunity to play outside every day. Outdoor play is never sacrificed for more instructional time.
- Teachers read books to children individually or in small groups throughout the day, not just at group story time.
- Curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead as well as those who need additional help. Teachers recognize that children’s different background and experiences mean that they do not learn the same things at the same time in the same way.
- Children and their parents look forward to school. Parents feel secure about sending their child to the program. Children are happy to attend; they do not cry regularly or complain of feeling sick.
Also ask if the program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC-accredited programs complete a rigorous self study and external review to prove that they meet standards of excellence in early childhood education.
Texas Public Schools
Since the early days of Texas history, public education was a primary goal, and in 1854, the governor signed the bill that established the Texas public school system. The Texas Educational Code provides the framework for the current public education system, which is overseen by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) (www.tea.state.tx.us) and the State Board of Education. Led by the commissioner of education, the TEA is the administrative unit for primary and secondary education and, among other duties, develops a statewide curriculum, administers statewide assessment programs and rates school districts under the statewide accountability system.
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With three military installations in San Antonio, you’ll ...
