The support behind the scenes
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes in support of child care programs? We asked our Quality Navigation and Coaching teams what they were up to during the months of June and July and they gave us a snapshot. Preparing for ratings is not glamorous work, but when programs achieve their quality goals, everyone shines! The notes that follow show some of the hard work and incremental progress that lead to programs enhancing their quality and building up their Colorado Shines ratings. (Names of programs and individual teachers and directors have been omitted for privacy and brevity).
What type of support did you offer your programs this month?
- Focused on the learning environment (Environment Rating Scales) with a program to support an upcoming rating in July.
- Focused on the learning environment and teaching practices (Environment Rating Scales tool) with a different program for a future rating and building relationships with teachers.
- Coaching that was focused on instructional support and implementing higher thinking questions when interacting with children.
- Coaching that was focused on social emotional learning and building relationships with teachers.
What were their accomplishments or challenges?
- Strength: After the departure of a staff member, the director is covering full time in the preschool classroom and the preschool teacher has moved to the toddler classroom. Although they had many abrupt changes in the last week of June, they decided to move forward with their rating in July.
- Challenge: Staffing changes are restricting feedback and reflection with teachers.
-Cecilia Ramirez | Early Childhood Quality Coach
What type of support did you offer your programs this month?
- I have supported these programs with the documentation portion of their July rating. I have reviewed all documentation that will be uploaded and have sent providers my navigation notes. I am also supporting programs in creating their QIPs (Quality Improvement Plans) required by the evidence guide.
What were their accomplishments or challenges?
- My programs have been working tirelessly on their documentation. They have looked over any notes I send and are making edits.
-America Flores | Quality Navigator
What type of support did you offer your programs this month?
- I have been coaching them through the rating process and the documentation for the rating. They are currently in their rating month (July).
What were their accomplishments or challenges?
- They have been doing a great job working diligently on collecting documents and updating policy language to increase the quality of the program information. At the beginning of the process, they felt that the entire rating was daunting and a challenge but with the support of myself and coach Emily Urbina, they are feeling better about the rating process and have had a boost in confidence!
-Nicole Becker | Quality Navigator
What type of support did you offer your programs this month?
- L3-5 Coaching Sessions, PDIS, and QI Funds support.
What were their accomplishments or challenges?
- They are still in a rating queue, and we are pretty much done with all documentation. Even though the program has not been rated, they have worked diligently, and we are already looking at a Level 5 in documentation! This is the third Colorado Shines rating that I get to support this program on and see their growth. It has been amazing! Before, they would be very nervous but this time around they seem more at ease because they continue to apply what they have learned over the years and understand what is expected. I feel very proud of them and have expressed this to them. The director really loves her profession and continues to strive for exceptional quality in her program.
Grisel Garcia | Family Child Care Home Quality Navigator
What type of support did you offer your programs this month?
- L3-L5 documentation as their rating is in July. Preparing documentation and reviewing handbooks.
What were their accomplishments or challenges?
- Completed their QIPs and mapping before the end of June!
Brittany Montesdeoca-Plaza | Quality Navigator
Our Quality Navigation and Coaching teams work in tandem to help child care programs thrive! Learn more about the Council’s Quality Navigation services here. Learn more about the Council’s Coaching services here.