Communication Journal? (Notebook)

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Originally Posted by daycare woman

in an interview I say the books are daily for 2-3 months then its weekly after that

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I love the idea of phasing it out and letting the parents know right up front. Most kids I start are a year old so eating, sleeping, BM are important to the parent because it reflects the night before and what the night coming up might be like. It also gives us a chance to see patterns and make adjustments. Once the child is eating mostly table foods as in what everyone else is eating, given up the morning nap and beginning to participate in our activities then I usuall stop the books. It pretty much coincides with the parent not bringing a bag every day with infant foods and bottles - as in a place for me to put the book. At that point I fill it out and put it in their bin and it is up to the parent to take it home and bring it back. If they don't bring it back then I don't write out a piece of paper just skip the day so it becomes hit and miss after awhile anyways. Usually the parent then phases it out themselves. I do talk to each parent at the door and note what is imiportant to them such as the 3 year old I still need to report on BM and consistency for but it is verbal not written. My journal was a spiral notebook from the dollar store. For this coming year I am considering doing a weekly report which would outline what we did each day as in what toy I introduced, maybe words to a song we did or poem etc. But doing it after the fact so they have the info for the weekend and then a section at the bottom where I can note a child's reaction to the day - so more of a developmental page such as child recognized 5 of 8 colours today. The menu will be posted at the door as in I fill it in as we eat it so when they pick up they can note what was offered from each food group and behaviour, demeanor and diaper/feeding issues are all done verbally. I don't like putting behaviour in writing because it is bad enough for a parent to hear it at the door they really dont' want to have to read it at night and no matter how we try not to our frustration is bound to creep into how we word things, our type of handwriting etc.

I do a journal for children under two. Once they turn two no longer need it. I find it is helpful for the parents to know what they did and ate throughout the day. I find the meal description important bc if a rash or something appears than it may be a food allergy, especially at young ages. At these young ages the kids cant explain to parents what they did or ate. Once they are talking and being more independent i get rid of the journal. Its also easier to recall things when the parents start asking questions lol. Sometimes the days are soo hectic that you cant remember it all.

I too use this. Simple dollar store notebooks (the ones with the pockets in them...handy on payday, and to put crafts in). They each bring little backpacks each day and the books travel back and forth in that. I e-mail (saves me $ by e-mailing it) a monthly calendar to them (activities/meals/holidays all on it). I don't write in the logs everyday but most days (anything out of the ordinary, trying new foods, sleep patterns, milestone etc.). It's a wonderful tool, parents tell me as well out of the ordinary things (child was up early etc.). Sometimes Dad or Aunt drops off, different parent picks up...a great way to keep everyone on the same page. Yes, a lot of the same is communicated at pick up orally, but it can get crazy when everyone comes at once...at least I have peace of mind in case I forget anything that it's written as well and I don't have to wonder if I remembered to ask for diapers or wipes, for example. Hope that helps.

I use communication journal - parents use it daily! It works great!