Category: Staff News

🍁 September at The Little Red Barn 🍁

“Just as every leaf has its season to change, every child has their own season to grow. Our job is to give them the patience, encouragement, and love they need along the way.” 💛

>> 🥪NEW RULE: Staff Fridge and Pantry

To help keep our staff kitchen clean, organized, and free of forgotten food, all personal food, drinks, packages, and containers left in the staff fridge or pantry must be labeled with your first and last name.

🧹 Every Friday, Admin will clean out the fridge and pantry. Any items that are unlabeled may be thrown away during the weekly clean-out.

Please make it a habit to label it before you leave it! This will help us keep our shared space tidy and prevent mystery leftovers from piling up. 😄 Thank you! 💛

>> 🤧 Cold & Flu Season — Stay Ahead of the Germs

Fall means more sniffles! Just a reminder to reinforce frequent hand washing, sanitizing high-touch surfaces and toys, proper diapering procedures, and staying on top of classroom cleaning throughout the day. This will ensure that staff and kiddos remain healthy!

>> 🧼 Hand washing
Make sure parents are washing their childs hands at drop off! Teachers should be actively helping children build handwashing into their everyday routines.

>> 💬 Parent Communication Matters!

Please take a moment at pick-up to share something meaningful about each child’s day—not just meals, diapers, and naps. A new word, funny moment, activity they loved, or milestone gives families a connection to their child’s day.

Daily 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.
• Don’t forget to clean under shelves, cribs, tables, and other hard-to-reach areas as part of your weekly deep cleaning.
• All staff need to have closed-toed slippers to wear inside classrooms by Friday, September 18th! Bring them to the front desk and get them approved by Admin. Thank you 💕
• 👟 Shoes On Outside!
  • Please make sure you are wearing shoes anytime you are outside on the playground. Staff should not be going outside in socks and then returning to the classroom in those same socks. Our playground surfaces can carry dirt, germs, and other debris back into our classrooms. Please take the extra moment to put your outside shoes on before heading outside—even for a quick trip!

>> 📸 Quality Over Quantity in Playground
Photos should show children actively learning, playing, creating, and engaging. Curriculum photos should help families see the purpose behind what we’re doing—not simply document that an activity happened. Make sure photos aren’t blurry!

>> 👀 Intentional Play

We’ve noticed a little too much downtime in the classrooms, so this month we want to refocus on intentional play and engagement. Our kiddos learn best through play, interaction, and connection with their teachers!

Get down on their level, join their play, narrate what they’re doing, sing songs, read books, introduce new materials, or create a simple activity. Not every moment needs to be structured, but teachers should be actively present and engaged throughout the day.

>> ⏰ Making the Most of Downtime

When the kiddos are sleeping or there is appropriate downtime in your classroom, please use that time intentionally and productively. There is always something we can be working toward to help our classrooms run smoothly whether it’s preparing upcoming lesson plans, completing trainings, organize classroom materials, restock supplies, or tackle cleaning and deep-cleaning tasks!✨

>> 🍎 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!

🐞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