NARRATIVE 1 EXAMPLE – Physical Environment

ABC Preschool [name changed for privacy] is an inner-city Head start and Community Center. The brick, three story building corners two main roads which are heavily populated with residential and commercial properties. The center houses two Early Head Start classrooms, one-part day Head Start classroom, one Head Start/daycare classroom and the local WIC offices. The center is neatly organized with references, supports and activities for families in multiple languages. Three of the four classrooms are located on the main floor and are separated from the main area by locked doors that only the receptionist has control of. The part day Head Start Program is located on the third floor and the WIC office, staff area and offices are all located on the bottom floor. All floors are accessible by elevator or stairs.

Indoor Design: (Rating 3)

           Classroom 1, a Head Start classroom, serving three four and five-year old’s, is located on the main floor tucked into the right corner of the building. There is one door located to the right of the classroom which is the only form of entrance. There are 6 large rectangular windows on the left and back walls of the classroom, which supplied an ample amount of natural lighting. (9.C.03-9.C.05) The classroom has carpeting that runs vertical throughout the room leaving half the classroom uncarpeted. The areas on the laminate floor are used for meal times, sensory play and art projects. Areas on the laminate floor such as Dramatic play and quiet area/library had large area rugs to make the space cozier.

Each child had their own individual cubby, labeled with their name and supplied with a plastic reusable shopping bag for all their belongings. (9.A.02) There are two sets of cubbies for the children, however they are located on opposite sides of the classroom. A plastic, over the door shoe holder was used as parent mailboxes and the only form of parent communication that was evident. The classroom was set up in a way to support independent center learning by using shelves to section off dramatic play from art areas and so on. While some areas had center signs and signs with the number of children able to play in that area, not all the centers did, making it hard to tell exactly what area was where and the number of children that the area could support.

The classroom had a variety of materials for children to explore and learn with. Each center had four or more options to choose from and each option had a sufficient number of items so that play would not be hindered by lack of materials.  All materials were in good condition and promoted cultural diversity and disabilities through food in the dramatic play area, people in wheel chairs, on crutches and older generations in the block area and puzzles where community helpers are gender neutral. They also had materials for varying difficulties, such as larger markers, right and left handed scissors, puzzles with knobs and assorted manipulatives in different sizes.(9.A.09) Evidence of living things were supported by plants the children are growing and plants throughout the room. They had a large gold fish as a class pet however it was high on a shelf where it was difficult to see.

They also had a bathroom located within the classroom. (9.C.05) Set on the right side of the room is a wall with two large windows and a door cut out to provide supervision of the children but also to create a sense of privacy. The door to the bathroom had a curtain hanging down that hung about a foot off the floor. There are two toilets as well as a vanity for hand washing and extra supplies, as well as shelving attached to the wall to hold extra clothes and towels. Next to the bathroom is an adult sized counter and cabinets used for food service supplies cleaning supplies and first aid supplies. (9.A.01)

During my observation only two areas were occupied, blocks and dramatic play. One child had an accident on the dramatic play area rug and the teachers proceeded to close the area. Then the children scattered to sand table, water table, Playdough and the children from blocks moved into science to play a magnetic game that the teacher took out. There was also a large plastic children’s computer which no longer worked and served as a magnetic board. However, children were dumping the bucket of letters into the storage bench then sticking them to the magnetic board. Teachers occasionally walked over and redirected the children by saying “I don’t think those belong in their can you show me another way to use them?” The child would then clean up the magnets by putting them back into their bucket then walking away from the area.

In conclusion I feel that the lack of organization for parents and children in the classroom made this an un-welcoming environment that was visually over stimulating. Evidence of appreciation of the children’s work was not evident as there were no pictures, or art work hung up. While children moved freely, lack of labeled shelves and buckets made it harder to clean up and promote independence. This would not support standards 9A of the NAEYC standards. The center did support the NAEYC standards for having a variety of materials that support differences in abilities, culture and gender. There are enough materials for all the children and while it was disorganized and cluttered required health and safety posting are hung up and practiced. Having labeled materials, specific area’s for the parents, where they can read postings, policies, and curriculum information as well as posting the children’s work would increase the classrooms score to the next level.

Outdoor Environment: Rating 1

The outdoor play area is surrounded by 10-foot-tall chain link fence and is accessible by emergency doors in the infant toddler rooms as well as by the stair well across the hall from the preschool classroom. (9.B.02) Once outside the building the path to the playground is fenced in to maintain the safety of the children because the walk way borders the parking lot of the postal office next door. Aside from the fence there is a small strip of grass that provides a barrier from one property line to the next. The gate to enter the playground is the same height as the fence with its latch five feet high so the children are unable to reach it.

The playground layout provided constant supervision by sight and sound. (9.B.03) Half of the playground area is covered by a large blue canopy to provide shade and shelter. The ground surface is made up of a rubber surface which covers the entire area.  The playground is surrounded by parking lots on both sides, one being the center’s parking lot and the other being the post office parking lot. Behind the playground was a community playground filled with debris and graffiti. There were no barriers between the community playground and center playground and there is also a car sized gap in between the 3 feet shrubs bordering the center’s parking lot. In this gap there was a large dent in the fence insinuating that a person at one time may have driven up and hit the fence. (9.B.06)

The play area held very little materials for the children. There was an 8ft by 8ft sand box which had extremely low amount of sand. A dozen of tricycles in varying sizes but mostly toddler sizes, helmets which were not being used because they were too wet from the rain earlier in the week, assorted construction trucks, 1 basketball and a basketball hoop. They also had four large cylinders built in to the ground and a xylophone for children to make music. There were three plastic and mesh storage containers which held helmets, large foam blocks which were covered up and an empty storage container covered up that the teachers used to put their materials on. There was also a small area with extra rubber material pieces which held sand, chalk drawings and trucks. An interlocking plastic structure was leaning against the fence which after 30 minutes the children pulled out to build a house. However, lack of stools and time to play created a fight between multiple children. Children were observed yelling “hey that’s my chair give it back” children crying and other children taking the other children’s chair when they weren’t looking. Teacher’s just reminded the children to share. Once the infants come out side teachers said “it’s the babies turn outside we need to clean this up right away.” This direction resulted in tantrums, tears and children refusing to leave the playground because “I wasn’t done” and “I didn’t get a turn.”

In conclusion the playground rating of a one holds true. Materials were not supplied to promote in-depth learning in all areas. Safety was maintained during my observation but the gap in the shrubs where families drive up, is not in compliance with the standards. As well as the concern of confidentiality having open access to view the playground from a public parking lot and playground. Having only one surface type for children also is not supported by NAEYC program standards. There are no natural materials to enjoy and the lack of sand in the sand box promoted play for only one. Staff stated that outdoor play is only 30 minute sessions, as to ensure every classroom has enough time to play, during my observation we were out for forty-five minutes. Leaving the infants and toddlers having to wait by the fence for preschoolers to get ready to leave.

Children remained engaged with teachers and other children however the center would have benefited from more materials, such as bubbles, sand, a small slide or climber and a privacy screen. Policies around First aid kits, water, cups, and daily attendance sheets as well as attention to the weather conditions for asthma children were followed an evident throughout my observation.

Continuous Supervision: Rating 5

The classroom area is set up to provide continuous supervision of all the children at all times. (9.A.04) There were four staff in the classroom the entire time of my observation and 14 preschool children. Staff reported this is standard and at 2:30 staff begin leaving with the children. The design of the classroom where low shelves were used as dividers, larger shelves placed up against the walls and secured created an open floor plan where children could always be seen.(9.A.07) During my observation multiple children had tantrums. Staff remained calm and collected as they sat with the child, used visual supports and supported them in calming down.

Staff was also very engaged in all aspects of my observation. During hand washing and transitions teachers and children were communicating expectations, number of children present and helping those in need. When multiple teachers were occupied with other children and activities one teacher surveyed the children and areas by walking around or standing in place scanning all the areas. Children were excited to see their teacher return from vacation and immediately wanted to show her their new skills (riding a bike, showing off chalk drawings and asking her to build in blocks with them.) They ran up to her and gave her a hug and said “we really missed you.”

Teaching staff used positive language through-out my observation, such as “walking feet,” “I am so proud of you,” “how do you think we can fix this” and “that is a great idea.” There were feeling cards and visual supports with techniques to calm their bodies, ways to solve problems and reminders of the rules hanging on each of the walls to ensure easy access to materials while maintaining supervision at all times.

Children were divided into two circle times based on age, however during my observation a 4-year-old went to sit in on the three-year-old circle, instead of redirecting this child they engaged him in the circle and gave him a job of helping the teacher to come up with ideas for the younger kids.  This child also wanted to sit in a chair and not on the floor like his peers. This too was also accepted. The older children’s circle had the same set up where children had jobs and interacted in the story being read and songs being sung. There are two teachers placed in each circle so that if there is a behavior that needs to be addressed the teacher conducting circle time does not have to stop and correct the behavior. This supports children being able to learn in an uninterrupted environment. (9.A.12)

In Conclusion there were many ways in which continuous supervision was obtained through out my observation. Teachers engaging in transitions, having calm down techniques readily available, and communicating with children and staff made the team work really well together. No harsh judgment or punishment was evident, and children and teachers enjoyed each other’s company by laughing, talking and playing together.  The classroom set up while lacking organization, supported supervision by having low shelving units, ensuring children were not able to find a place to hide, and by having a variety of inviting materials for children to be engaged with also supported the standards. I would recommend to better their supervision scores would be to remove the curtain hanging in the bathroom door, as well as using mirrors in the corners of the room. This would make supervision easier when engaging with children on their level.

Sanitation, Nutrition, and safety practices: (Rating 5)

The program followed all health and safety practices regarding health services such as asthma, allergies, physicals, dental exams and injury and illness concerns. (5.A.01) These practices were evident through postings about children’s asthma and allergies next to the food serve and first aid areas. They were in compliance with having policies and procedures for fire and evacuation drills, medical emergencies as well as lock down and evacuation drills by having policy and procedures posted as well as visual postings such as maps of the building with clearly labeled exits and paths to exit the building. Evidence of cleaning and sanitation were evident through documentation and my observation. Staff wiped down table surfaces with a cleaning solution called “Steramine” and paper towels.  Nutritious foods were provided through a catering company in conjunction with federal nutrition guidelines and prepared and served by trained staff. Disposable materials such as gloves, diapers, wipes, plastic utensils, napkins and paper towels were used throughout the day. All hazard materials are stored out of reach from the children in clearly labeled bottles. Staff also carried fully stocked first aid bags with them to the playground and had a specific labeled place to put the bag in the classroom.  Children also had updated emergency cards that were kept in the emergency bags. (9.C.10)

In conclusion the center met NAEYC guidelines in the areas of health and safety. Postings about fire drills, evacuation drills and health and safety policies were posted around the room, however the center would have benefited from having a clear place for families to locate the information. Children with food allergies are provided an equally healthy meal that meets FDA guidelines. (5.B.05) Children washed hands regularly during transitions from indoors and outdoors, after sensory play activities and after using the bathroom or blowing their nose. (5.A.09) Staff wore gloves when cleaning up a urinary accident on the rug. She kept the area blocked off, to limit exposure to the chemical and urine while she cleaned it. After she finished cleaning she disposed of the gloves and washed her hands as well. (5.C.02) The center would benefit from teachers washing hands during transitions as well, having a clearly defined parent area and sanitizing sinks in between handwashing transitions and bath rooming.