Privacy & The FCCERS

I have been pouring over every piece of information I can get my hands on about the Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scales (FCCERS). I am excited to provide my families with the quality of care they and their children deserve... and be among those providers that have worked hard to achieve that accomplishment. That being said, there are so many things to remember, get in the habit of doing on a daily basis, and preparing the environment for successful child-centered learning opportunities. With the help of the WONDERFUL Family Child Care Providers in Arkansas, our local Quality Resource Person, and those Providers that have gone before me, I know I can get this done, and done well!!

I have been thinking a lot about the Privacy part of the scales. Specifically #6 in the FCCERS book. I have some great ideas on how I can incorporate some little areas of calm and privacy in our space... but today I was walking around the yard watching my little friends play. I saw some playing together in groups, some individually, and some with just 2 kids playing together. There were no closed off spaces. There were no walls or barriers to keep friends OUT. Just an unspoken calm of, "I, or We, want to be alone right now" that the other kids respected.

No one asked to be left alone to play. No one walked up to a friend to intrude or wrangle with... they respected each others space and what they were doing at the moment. I don't think I ever specifically or consciously taught them the "Give your friends space" rule. I recall helping them to use their words to express their need for space, but other than that, it seems to come naturally (ok, most of the time :)... We're not perfect)

Being outside, it seems like it would be hard to find that alone spot, but they do it. Inside, I will find one at the Sand Studio, or writing alone at the writing table, engrossed in their own reality... present in the moment only. To me, privacy doesn't always have to be about books, pillows or secluded from the group... it has more to do with the calm each child finds in their own way. It CAN be at the easel engrossed in the way paint mixes together, at the nature table inspecting insects or seaweed, at the manipulative's table working with a friend to make a Lincoln Log town, or it can be at the Cozy Corner with a great picture book. Each child's needs are different, and they each have a different way to recharge. Heck, sometimes they need a different quiet experience every hour :) I think I finally have them figured out... and they go and change the whole dynamic on me.

So, I will make sure I have what my FCCERS book says I should have to provide for this "privacy" aspect of my program, but I will continue to marvel at the many different ways each child finds to meet that need of quiet on their own. I will also keep you posted on my quest for my Stars!!! I am sure this won't be my last rant about something I have read in the FCCERS book :)