Author: Dom Harris

🐞August at The Little Red Barn 🐞

August is a month of fresh starts, classroom growth, and new relationships. While change can bring new challenges, it also gives us the chance to grow both personally and professionally. Thank you for the flexibility, teamwork, and dedication you through these transitions!✨

>> 📦Classroom Refresh

As a new school year approaches, now is the perfect time to refresh and reorganize your classroom in preparation for welcoming new little learners! During breaks throughout the day, take a few moments to:

• Organize shelves, bins, and learning materials.
• Rotate or replace toys to keep centers engaging.
• Check that classroom items and children’s belongings are labeled.
• Classroom revamp (Supplies, curriculum ideas, birthday boards, wall art)

A little bit each day goes a long way! Taking time now to refresh your classroom helps ensure a smooth transition and creates a welcoming space where every child can learn, explore, and thrive. 💛

>> 🐜 Mealtime Clean-Up Reminder

We’ve noticed an increase in ants around the building, so it’s especially important that we stay on top of mealtime clean-up.

After EVERY meal or snack, please make sure to:

• Wipe and sanitize tables, chairs, and high chairs.
• Sweep & Mop under tables and around eating areas.
• Clean up any food spills right away.
• Throw away food scraps promptly and ensure trash cans are closed.

A few extra minutes of clean-up after meals helps keep our classrooms clean, ant-free, and comfortable for everyone, especially the kiddos!

A few reminders:

• Please complete and check off all daily and weekly cleaning checklists to ensure nothing is overlooked.
• We need to be using the Wash | Rinse | Sanitize process for EVERYTHING touched by kids. Make sure to sanitize tables, chairs, high chairs, and frequently touched surfaces after EVERY use.
  • Disinfectant = Bodily fluids ONLY! | Sanitizer = Tables, Chairs, Cribs, Toy
• Please make sure we are wiping the diaper changing mats between each use!
• Don’t forget to clean under shelves, cribs, tables, and other hard-to-reach areas as part of your weekly deep cleaning.

>> 📵 Phone Usage
We have observed an increase in personal cell phone usage within the classrooms recently. Our focus should always remain on active supervision, engagement, and interaction with the kiddos throughout the day. Personal phones should only be used for Playground documentation or emergencies ONLY.

>> 🔌 Outlet Covers

Please take a moment to ensure that all lower-level electrical outlets have outlet covers securely in place. We’ve noticed a few have gone missing, especially after vacuuming during closing.

As you finish cleaning each day, do a quick walk-through of your classroom to make sure any outlet covers that may have been knocked loose are put back.

>> 🪑Classroom Furniture | Wear and Tear

We’ve noticed an increase in staff sitting on classroom furniture. Please refrain from sitting on the shelves and tables. This will help us keep our furniture in the best condition for longer!

>> 🍎 Daily Classroom Expectations

• 📱Playground Photos and Captions: Aim for 2-3 photos per child daily! One of these pictures needs to be curriculum! Add a short learning caption (doesn’t need to be long, just meaningful!)
• 📚 Don’t fall behind on Portfolios: Remember to start completing anecdotal observations and developmental checklists for Conferences!
• 🎨ART: Make sure you are doing an art project once a day! You should be saving art for portfolios and hanging some in your classrooms – this looks great for incoming parents! Product art is ok, process art is HIGHLY encouraged!!!

>> Outdoor Play🌻 : Please prioritize taking kiddos outside!

• Make sure infants are dressed appropriately for weather!
• Piglets | REQUIRED that you go outside AT LEAST once a day, weather permitting
• Cuddly Calves | REQUIRED that you go outside 2-3 times a week | daily if possible – weather permitting

Parents Night Out Incentives Reminder!

Don’t forget—staff are always welcome to volunteer to work Parent’s Night Out for some extra cash! It’s a fun, relaxed way to spend time with the kiddos outside of the normal routine. All staff who participate will leave with $80 for the evening—a great way to earn a little extra while supporting our families! 😊

Here is a list of the incentives for staff who sign up to work multiple PNO’s!

• After 2 PNOs – Lunch on us!
• After 4 PNOs – $100 funny money for your classroom!
• After 7 PNOs – An extra PTO day for the year!

🍉 July at The Little Red Barn 🍉
“Every interaction matters. Every moment is an opportunity to make a difference.”

>> 🌟 Classroom First Impressions Matter!

Our classrooms are often the first impression families have each day. Before children arrive and before families begin pick-up, take a quick look around your classroom. Ask yourself:

• Are toys organized?
• Are cubbies clean?
• Are tables and chairs clean?
• Is the environment warm, inviting, and ready for learning?
• Am I prepared for the day?

These small details make a big impact and reflect the pride we take in our program!💕

>> 🧼 Cleaning Refresh: Clean as You Go!

Cleaning should happen throughout the day, not just during closing. Take advantage of downtime, especially during nap time, to complete daily and weekly cleaning tasks. Staying on top of cleaning throughout the day makes end-of-day responsibilities more manageable and helps maintain a healthy environment for our children.

A few reminders:

• Please complete and check off all daily and weekly cleaning checklists to ensure nothing is overlooked.
• We need to be using the Wash | Rinse | Sanitize process for EVERYTHING touched by kids. Make sure to sanitize tables, chairs, high chairs, and frequently touched surfaces after EVERY use.
  • REMINDER!!! Disinfectant = Bodily fluids ONLY! | Sanitizer = Tables, Chairs, Cribs, Toy
• Please make sure we are wiping the diaper changing mats between each use!
• Please sweep & mop after EVERY meal time, sensory activities, and art projects to keep floors clean and safe.
• Don’t forget to clean under shelves, cribs, tables, and other hard-to-reach areas as part of your weekly deep cleaning.

>> 📵 Phone Usage
We have observed an increase in personal cell phone usage within the classrooms recently. Our focus should always remain on active supervision, engagement, and interaction with the kiddos throughout the day. Personal phones should only be used for Playground documentation or emergencies ONLY.

>> 📲 Name-to-Face & Sunscreen REMINDER

Sunscreen:
Every application must be logged in Playground | We should be putting sunscreen on kiddos every time they go outside.

Name-to-Face:
ANY time you transition infants:

• Leaving the classroom to go to play area
• Returning from outside

You must log Name-to-Face in Playground!
This is not optional and ensures safety and accurate ratios.

>> 🍎 Daily Classroom Expectations

• 📱Playground Photos and Captions: Aim for 2-3 photos per child daily! One of these pictures needs to be curriculum! Add a short learning caption (doesn’t need to be long, just meaningful!)
• 📚 Don’t fall behind on Portfolios: Remember to start completing anecdotal observations and developmental checklists for Conferences!
• 🎨ART: Make sure you are doing an art project once a day! You should be saving art for portfolios and hanging some in your classrooms – this looks great for incoming parents! Product art is ok, process art is HIGHLY encouraged!!!

>> Outdoor Play🌻 : Please prioritize taking kiddos outside!

• Make sure infants are dressed appropriately for weather!
• Piglets | REQUIRED that you go outside AT LEAST once a day, weather permitting
• Cuddly Calves | REQUIRED that you go outside 2-3 times a week | daily if possible – weather permitting

☀️ June at The Little Red Barn ☀️
“Summer brings sunshine, growth, and new beginnings—and the work you do helps our children thrive through it all.”🌿

>> ✨Monthly Expectations Refresher:

🚻 Bathroom Cleaning Expectations
All staff members are expected to participate in the bathroom cleaning schedule that is posted in the staff room.

• One staff member is assigned to clean both bathrooms every other week.
• After completing your cleaning, please initial and check off the cleaning checklist located in the staff room.
• Stay consistent—this is a shared responsibility that keeps our center running smoothly.

🧻Wipe Usage
Please limit wipes to diaper changes only. We are going through a high volume due to wipes being used for cleaning surfaces and children’s faces.

• Use appropriate cleaning materials for surfaces (Wash, rinse, sanitize)
• Use alternative methods (paper towels, tissues etc.) for faces when possible

🧤 Glove Usage
Gloves should ALWAYS be worn when:
• Changing diapers
• Handling or serving food
• Cleaning bodily fluids
• Assisting with messy clean-ups

Please remember to change gloves between tasks and wash hands immediately after glove removal. Thank you for continuing to prioritize the health and safety of our classrooms! 💛

>> 🛒 Storage Room Expectations

DO NOT place any items on the storage room supply shelves unless they have been approved by administration first. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Toys
• Books
• Restricted play equipment
• Classroom miscellaneous items

The storage room is intended to remain organized and accessible for all classrooms, and unapproved items can quickly create clutter and confusion. If you are unsure whether something belongs in the storage room, please check with admin first!

>> 🪀 Rotating Toys vs. Removing Toys

Rotating toys and classroom materials is a great way to keep children and teachers engaged with fresh learning opportunities throughout the day. As teachers, it is encouraged to intentionally rotate toys and supplies to support classroom interest and developmentally appropriate play. 🌟

However, classroom toys and materials should not be taken away or withheld from children as a form of punishment or convenience. Our goal is to create engaging environments where children feel supported, curious, and encouraged to explore.

If a toy or material is becoming unsafe, overstimulating, or is being used inappropriately, teachers should redirect children appropriately and provide alternative options rather than simply removing access altogether. 💛

>> 📵 Phone Usage
We have observed an increase in personal cell phone usage within the classrooms recently. Our focus should always remain on active supervision, engagement, and interaction with the kiddos throughout the day. Personal phones should only be used for Playground documentation or emergencies ONLY.

>> 📲 Name-to-Face & Sunscreen REMINDER

Sunscreen:
Every application must be logged in Playground | We should be putting sunscreen on kiddos every time they go outside.

Name-to-Face:
ANY time you transition infants:

• Leaving the classroom to go to play area
• Returning from outside

You must log Name-to-Face in Playground!
This is not optional and ensures safety and accurate ratios.

>> 🍎 Daily Classroom Expectations

• 📱Playground Photos and Captions: Aim for 2-3 photos per child daily! One of these pictures needs to be curriculum! Add a short learning caption (doesn’t need to be long, just meaningful!)
• 📚 Don’t fall behind on Portfolios: Remember to start completing anecdotal observations and developmental checklists for Conferences!
• 🎨ART: Make sure you are doing an art project once a day! You should be saving art for portfolios and hanging some in your classrooms – this looks great for incoming parents! Product art is ok, process art is HIGHLY encouraged!!!

>> Outdoor Play🌻 : Please prioritize taking kiddos outside!

• Make sure infants are dressed appropriately for weather!
• Piglets | REQUIRED that you go outside AT LEAST once a day, weather permitting
• Cuddly Calves | REQUIRED that you go outside 2-3 times a week | daily if possible – weather permitting