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Sue Striker's Young at Art Currculum is available at her Young at Art School in Fairfield, CT and a license is available to teachers who would like to do training and teach it themselves.

The Minuteman - September 8, 2005

This past summer all of us were saddened and horrified to hear about campers in nearby Fairfield being left unsupervised while their drunk counselors partied elsewhere. Also prominent in the news was the story of a counselor with a suspended driver's license who drove her campers on a camp outing at over 100 mph head on into another car. We all know of the massacre of school children in Rusia.

I have over 40 years of experience teaching and running schools, and I still cannot get used to the casual manner in which parents entrust their children to camps and programs, including my own, without thoroughly checking into them. In public schools, teachers are fingerpritned and have a thorough criminal background check before being hired. Their credentials are validated regularly and they will be fired if they do not keep them current. In
private schools however, we rely on the school administrator to do the hiring. Often, that very same administrator has no formal certification in school administration and may not have been subjected to a background check. . With the proliferation of storefront schools teaching everything from music, dance and art to physical education, there is no way to know if the teachers have appropriate training or if even minimum standards for safety are being addressed. Nevertheless, these schools have cute names, slick brochures and web sites and parents sign their children up at them in droves.

I urge parents to check schools thoroughlyl. Ask what a teacher's qualification and experience are. Is the teacher a certified teacher or is she just someone who calls herself a teacher? There is a big difference! There is always potential for injury in any of these programs, and this risk is increased when teachers are inexperienced and untrained. Many schools invite potential clients to tour the school while classes are in session, which puts all children at risk. Doors should always be locked during school hours. Think about it; you wouldn't leave the door to your home unlocked and invite strangers in off the street while your children were there. Why should a school? Is there a well stocked First Aid kit on the premises? Are teachers trained in first aid? It is not at all unreasonable to ask about these things. In fact, it is irresponsible not to. Ask also about how transition is handled. Always try to stay for at least part of the first class, not only to help your child feel secure but to feel secure yourself. This should be as important to the school as it is to you, so if they object, ask why. While at the school, look around. Are the same safety precautions that you implemented in your own home evident in the school? Are materials stored safely? Are the toys washed and disinfected regularly? How often? Are outlets covered? Is there a plan in evidence in case of fire or other emergency? Does the staff have your emergency phone numbers handy? (Not locked in a file cabinet somewhere)

Many schools and camps have opened to meet the new demand for early education of our children. While these schools remain unregulated by the State and Federal government, it is essential for parents to remain vigilant and responsible, keep their eyes wide open and choose carefully.

Sincerely,
Susan Striker is the Founder of Young at Art
Fairfield

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