Communication Journal? (Notebook)

[Play and Learn]

With my daily log, it's lots of circling things, and point form things. Very easy (gotta love having a husband for a teacher who can print things off for me)!

[zen39]

I've always done a communication journal. I don't write about what they ate (I have a menu posted for that); or bowel movements. Instead I use it to write down cute things they did or said that day, or a particular activity they enjoyed, something new they experienced.

My parents absolutely love these journals and some have said that they'll be placed in their childs keepsake box for the future.

These journals are a great idea not only for memento sake but also to allow a parent a glimpse into the day of their child while they are away from them.

I don't write anything lengthy, a small paragraph is needed. I've always jotted things down into a notebook about my own children...i.e. funny things they said and years later when I've forgotten them, I can now go back and read about it and remember those times.

In my opinion, these journals are a keepsake, not a waste of time.

[gcj]

I have to use it. I'm too distracted at pick-up time to be able to remember what I want to tell them!

[busybee]

Ha not a chance no time for them lol.I am lucky to have time for my weekly book work and reciepts. I communicate verbally at pu and if i or the parent thinks of anything after the fact i encourage them to phone or email or simply ask the next day . Most my parents will ask what was for lunch how did they eat and did they nap.I answer all this and let them know if there was any problems or mishaps with their darling that day

[agesandstagesdaycare]

I agree with most - well worth it. I have a parent board with weekly meals and notices as well. I have two 1 yr olds so I give the daily journal (a sheet a day) as a way for them to know how their baby is doing in regards to diaper changes, nap, food, and what they enjoyed playing with. I give it out because it's what I would expect as a mom and what I'm used to doing as a daycare director and ECE in the past.

I don't like the amount of paper it uses though so I'll get memo books and try that. Thanks.

[playfelt]

I have done journals, daily reports of various kinds from multiple choice type boxes to short answer - yes it felt like a test sometimes because over the years I had more disagreements with parents over something that was written than anything else. Parents concerned that they told me child's naptime was 9 am but I wrote down 9:15 (had been changing another child's poopy diaper which seemed more important at the time) or put them down at 8:30 cause they were whining and rubbing their eyes. I know the parents want to know how their child's day went but the first thing they need to realize that their only child is part of a group now and their morning routine is different now and they need to "trust" me to know what I am doing.

[lilac]

If the parents want one, I do one. My very first family had 2 year old twins, and I did the journal every day. I realized quickly that they never read it. I had noted and highlighted 2 days in a row that I needed more diapers, and found myself on the 3rd day having to drag the kids up to the store b/c mom and dad never read the notes and didnt bring me more diapers.... so I quit the journal with them. However, with the 1 year old I look after now, its working great, the parents always look at it and I write stuff down that I know I'll forget at pick up time.

[daycare woman]

Play and learn that sounds like a fabulous form if all you have to do is circle! Maybe I'll design one for myself. I do communication books, but in an interview I say the books are daily for 2-3 months then its weekly after that because it just becomes repetitive and then they don't actually look at it at that point it seems. But even using a circle sheet like peed in the toilet 3 times today , I would circle 3. Oh I think I like it! My fridays are my writing in my journal days at quiet time it takes 1 hr to 1 1/2 sometimes. I try and write all week so I don't have to start thinking, cause that takes a very long time, I can't remember what I did yesterday let alone monday. I just buy cute little notebooks with fun colours on the front of it from the dollar store they work great and they go back and forth in their back packs.
If I need stuff the next day I take a sticky note and put it on my door as well as writing it in the book. I love sticky's!

[Tot-Time]

I have mixed feelings as to whether the journals/logs are worth it the amount of time they take. I have 3 families who faithfully read the journal each and every day, only 1 responds to my questions, and I have 2 families who are totally out of the loop and when they miss something I will say 'it was in the journal' they will admit they never read it.

I admit handwritting is too slow and I love saving a tree when I can. So everything is electronic for me. Individual information is emailed to the appropriate family, but one main journal is put on my website for all to view.

In my journal I put what we ate (I don't give menus) how everyone ate, poorly, well, really well or ate seconds, I may note if a child ate more or less than normal. I put how everyone slept and how long. For infants it will include bottles and #of BM's if the parent asks. I include a brief description of our day, anything cute the kiddies did, sometimes what we are learning, daily pictures, proud caregiver moments, any notes that I need everyone to know, if I have updated the calendar etc. It will also include any generalized questions that i would like to ask all the families such as when families plan on taking summer holidays.

[Play and Learn]

I had one family that didn't read my daily logs (as I found them all still in the bag) and they don't have email either. Thank god that family is done on Thurs!!!!

One family absolutely loves them (also helps that mom was an ECE and is now a teacher. They brought me a duotang to put them in, and they told me they want to keep them, as his older sister didn't have them from her old daycare.