Barnyard Bulletin | August 2026

🐞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!