ECD Practitioner’s Newsletter – February 2025
BRIGHT SMILES, BRIGHT FUTURES!
Taking care of children’s teeth is so important for their overall health, but it is often forgotten. A recent study revealed that more than half of the children screened at the Provincial Hospital needed dental treatment! This shows that many children have poor oral hygiene, causing pain and discomfort. Dental problems hurt children’s health, confidence, and ability to learn. By teaching them good dental habits, we can help them get ready for school and have a better future.
As ECD Practitioners, you can teach children the importance of taking care of their teeth. You can also help parents understand how crucial this is. Some parents may think that baby teeth (milk teeth) are not important, but this is not true! Healthy baby teeth help children eat, speak, and grow properly. They also help adult teeth come in correctly, so that they look straight later in life.
In collaboration with the Western Cape Health Department and the Rotary Club of Knysna, we have introduced an Oral Hygiene Initiative. As a KET partnered preschool, you will receive the supplies needed to help children brush their teeth. You will also learn about foods that promote oral health, and how to encourage parents to enforce teeth brushing at home. Participating in this initiative will allow you to help the children in your care avoid tooth problems, improving their health and quality of life.
Here are some tips on how to properly brush teeth:
Step 1: Start with the outside are (outer surfaces) of your teeth. Take your time! Gently brush top and then bottom teeth. Going tooth by tooth can help you slow down and not miss any spots.
Step 2: Brush against the gumline to get rid of any trapped germs (plaque) or food parts (debris). Generally move the brush back and forth using short movements.
Step 3: Brush the inside (inner) surface of your teeth. Because the insides of your teeth are not easy to see, skipping them is tempting – but these inside surfaces are just as vulnerable to germs. Brush back and forth to clean the inside surfaces of the teeth.
Step 4: Clean the eating areas (chewing surfaces) of your teeth. Use short back and forth movements to brush the tops of your back teeth, where food can easily get stuck.
Step 5: Brush the tongue. For fresher breath, brush your tongue to remove bad smelling germs (bacteria).
KEEPING YOUR PRESCHOOL PROFESSIONAL WITH PERFORMANCE REVIEWS
Performance reviews for preschool teachers are essential for maintaining high-quality education and helping teachers grow in their careers. These reviews are not just a formality—they’re an important tool to improve teaching, support teacher development, and make sure children are well cared for. Over the next few weeks, KET’s Preschool Area Leads will be helping principals to implement a self-assessment tool with their staff.
Once the assessment is completed, principals will conduct one-on-one feedback sessions with each teacher. These sessions aim to open up constructive conversations, improve workplace relationships, and foster a culture of continuous growth. By investing time in meaningful feedback and communication, preschools are not only improving the quality of education but also creating more positive and motivated working environments. Here are some benefits that come with conducting performance reviews at your preschool:
- Promoting Professional Development
Performance reviews give teachers a chance to get feedback that helps them grow in their role. Teachers can reflect on what they’re doing well and where they can improve. This process encourages them to set personal goals, which leads to better teaching strategies, improved classroom management, and a more positive learning environment. Reviews can also point out areas where additional training might be helpful, giving teachers the tools they need to do their job even better!
- Ensuring Quality Education
Performance reviews help ensure that teachers provide high-quality education to the children in their care. Quality teaching helps children grow emotionally, socially, and mentally. The experience they have in preschool can shape their entire school career. Having caring, attentive teachers makes children excited to come to preschool and helps them connect learning with fun and joy.
- Maintaining Accountability
Preschools are businesses, and like any business, employees have responsibilities. Performance reviews allow principals to clearly outline what’s expected of teachers and how their roles should be fulfilled. This gives teachers a chance to know exactly what’s required of them and where they might need to focus more attention. If any issues come up, performance reviews give teachers and principals the opportunity to address them before they become bigger problems.
- Enhancing Teacher Morale and Job Satisfaction
When there is open and honest communication, it creates a positive work environment. Performance reviews let teachers feel heard and appreciated. When teachers know what they’re doing well and what they need to work on, they’re more likely to feel happy in their jobs. Framing performance reviews as a chance for growth rather than criticism makes teachers feel empowered. Providing support and resources after reviews shows that a teacher’s professional development matters!
- Building Parental Confidence
Performance reviews also help build trust with parents. When parents know that teachers are being regularly evaluated and held accountable, they feel more confident about the care and education their children are getting. This trust is key in building strong relationships between families and the preschool, helping create a positive community.
In conclusion, implementing performance reviews is a process that aligns with KET’s vision of competent, confident teachers who feel supported in their roles. Ultimately, the impact reaches far beyond the classroom — laying the foundation for happier teachers, stronger preschools, and children who are better prepared for their educational journey.
PRACTITIONER TIP OF THE MONTH
Let’s Talk About Friends!
Friendship is one of the most important lessons a child can learn in preschool – and the perfect way to help them practice communication in a kind and gentle way.
This month, let’s encourage little learners to be good friends by teaching them how to talk, listen, and care for one another.
✅ Talk It Out: Teach children simple phrases like “Can I play with you?” or “Please can I have a turn?” When children learn to ask nicely, they build friendships based on kindness and respect.
✅ Listening Ears: Being a good friend means not only talking but also listening. Use games like “Pass the Whisper” or storytelling circles where each child gets a chance to share. Remind them: Every voice matters!
✅ Kind Words, Kind Hearts: Help children understand how their words can make others feel. Use phrases like “That was kind” or “Thank you for sharing.” When we speak with kindness, we create a happy classroom where everyone feels safe and loved.
✅ Fixing Friendship Wobbles: Friendships aren’t always perfect – and that’s okay! Teach little ones to say “I’m sorry” and “Let’s try again.” These simple words can build strong friendships that last.
✅ Be a Friendship Role Model: Children watch everything we do! Show them how to greet each other with a smile, listen with care, and use kind words – they’ll follow your lead!
When children learn how to communicate with friends, they’re learning skills that will help them not only in the classroom but in life.
A little kindness, a little patience – and a whole lot of friendship magic! Let’s make this month a celebration of big hearts and little voices growing stronger together!
PRACTITIONER’S WELLNESS
The Power of Communication 💬✨
If there’s one thing that can change a classroom, a workplace, and even a home – it’s communication.
Communication is more than just talking – it’s about connecting. It’s the way we show children that their voices matter, how we build trust with parents, and how we support one another as colleagues. When we communicate with kindness, patience, and understanding, we create an environment where everyone feels heard and valued.
✅ With Children: Get down to their level, listen to their little voices, and give them words to express how they feel. “I hear you” and “I understand” can be just as powerful as any lesson you teach.
✅ With Parents: A simple message about a child’s small achievement or even a smile at pick-up time can build a bridge of trust. When parents feel included, they become part of the learning journey.
✅ With Colleagues: Take a moment to ask, “How are you?” or “How can I help?” Small acts of kindness and understanding create a team where everyone feels supported.
The best part is – good communication doesn’t cost anything, but its impact can change everything.
Let’s promise to listen more, speak kindly, and always leave space for others to share their story – because a little communication can make our classrooms, our schools, and our hearts stronger. Together, let’s lift each other up – one word at a time!
GET TO KNOW THE TEAM
“Young children have the their whole future ahead of them and I get to make a difference in how that picture might look.” – Marilyn River, Preschool Area Lead
Marilyn began her work in ECD in 1997, as a Grade R teacher and principal. She then worked as an ECD facilitator for 12 years, before becoming a Literacy Educator and Library Assistant.
Marilyn joined KET in 2023, and is passionate and energetic about her role in assisting ECD practitioners to run thriving preschools.
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES IN MARCH
3 March Teacher development workshop:
- Developmental milestones
- ECD curriculum
- School readiness
- Emotional maturity
- Lesson plan discussion, presentation and implementation
6 March Grade R Teacher’s Meeting
10 March Programme training: Baby & Toddler Knysna
11 March Programme training: Baby & Toddler Knysna
12 March Programme training: Baby & Toddler Sedgefield
13 March Programme training: Baby & Toddler Sedgefield
19 March Principals health & safety workshop Knysna
20 March Meet and greet picnic for Grade R caregivers Knysna & Sedgefield
25 March Teacher development workshop
- Bullies
- Lesson plan discussion, presentation and implementation
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES IN APRIL
2 April Grade R workshop
16 April Teacher development workshop
- Lesson plan discussion, presentation and implementation of “Safety” ( week 13&14) “My family” (week 15&16)
- School readiness and Perceptual Development Skills
