Training a Director Really Needs

Today I was visiting an early childhood training organization's website to discover what workshops were available in the Rochester area and to register for any new ones.  As a director I am always looking for excellent training that would improve my teaching and my administrative skills.  Like many directors, I was multitasking; in this case I was mending a red teddy bear while I was reading.  The bear, which is the much loved possession of one of the three year old boys, often comes into the office to have his seams closed or his limbs reattached.

The workshop list contained trainings on many of the skills that child care directors need:  staff orientation, marketing, supervisory skills, fiscal skills, and child assessment.  The combination of trainings and red bear made me think about other imprtant trainings that child care directors could use.  The training catalog should include:

1.  Basic sewing - This course would give the director expertise in mending stuffed animals, dolls, and blankets.  A segment will cover clothing, since once staff members discover that the director can sew, they will bring in garments that need to be hemmed or to have buttons reattached.  (I have even had children bring me their clothes that needed to be mended.)

2.  Plumbing for Dummies - Learn how to replace a faucet, repair a leaking pipe, replace a trap which has developed a hole, and how to unclog a toilet that is full of tp, Legos, shoes, etc.  Plungers, snakes, and wrenches will be provided, but they will not necessarily be the correct size/strength.

3.  Beginning Carpentry - This course would give you the skills to replace hooks in cubbies, replace the backs on mailbox units, and wood glue the arms back on the rocking chair.  Included at no extra charge is information on assembling wood kitchen sets that come with one part missing and directions that were written by someone who has never seen the kitchen set plans or parts.

4.  Midwifery -  Provides the necessary skills to deal with birthing mothers, including hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and (in one memorable incident) staff members. This course may be taken in combination with:

5.  Ceremonies - This course will help the director to recognize and handle all of the details that need to be considered when planning a pet's funeral.  Topics covered include picking out the correct size shoe box, stealing a receiving blanket from the baby room without being caught, the funeral procession to the playground (single file vs. double file),  and musical arrangements (how many songs should the children pick out?).  As a special bonus, there will be information on funerals that involve flushing fish.

6.  Treasure Hunting - Learn valuable information about removing stones, beads, Legos, etc. from noses and ears.

7.  Physics - Discover how to remove blocks, balls, and matchbox cars from objects that they could not possibly fit into.

More courses will be available on request.