This observation assignment will involve observing in a childcare classroom to complete a NAEYC Classroom Checklist.The NAEYC Observable Criteria Tools is located in Course Documents in Blackboard. Students will review the instructions and the criteria and schedule a time to observe 1 classroom. If students do not work at a childcare center, it is recommended they contact a local childcare center and inform the director that they need to observe a classroom to complete an assignment regarding classroom environment, interactions, health and safety, and programming.Students will complete the packet for the observation using the lines provided to the right of each criteria to make notes. Students will submit the following:

• Completed NAEYC Observable Criteria Tools
• A written report that includes:
• Identifying information such as:
• Date of observation
• Type of childcare program (i.e., center-based, private, for-profit, non-profit, licensed, licensed-exempt, license plus, etc.)
• Ages of children observed
• Number of children and teachers present during observation
• Number of children enrolled and number of teacher assigned in the classroom
• A reflection of the four standards observed
• NAEYC Observation Assignment
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• AL Saleh, Hala
• Administration Child Development
• Dr. Sarah McDowell
• July 18th, 2012
• Observation
• Overview
• The morning of July 12th was the first time for me to observe a child center, and observing Creative Years Child Development & Learning Center was a great choice. I got my first impression about the center by having a look to the Creative Years’ website before my visiting. The website provides a clear description about the center. Alongside with that is my visit, which strengthened the good impression. It is a private child center, located in Nashua, New Hampshire. Once I arrived, there were children playing outside with observation from their teachers, which means the canter puts a lot of attention to children every time.
• Generally, the sense of satisfaction was pretty obvious, most of staff, children and parents were smiling all the time. This feeling affects me positively; it makes the observation more exiting. While I was waiting outside for Noha and Reema, I got a close view to the building from outside. The size of the building is approximately 15,000 square feet according to the center’s website. It’s divided between the building, swimming pool and playing yard.  Once I entered, it was really phenomenal to be welcomed at a place that you have never been before. Mrs. Kathy welcomed us very well, and showed us the building with describing each place. Then, I went to the observed class; it was for age 3 years, with two teachers for twelve students.
•  The significant objective of any educational institution is to qualify a person for public life and to be an effective member of society, as well as the observation. The observation focused on four standards observed, classroom environment, interactions, health and safety, and programming. All those standards will be sequentially clear throughout this paper.
• Classroom Environment
• Providing a great classroom climate helps to gain good learning outcomes. The climate that is dominated by warmth is more likely to achieve most teachers’ objectives. It was found that there is a strong correlation between the climate during the teaching process and the learning outcomes. Obviously, it is a positive correlation; as much as the climate provided was suitable, the learning outcomes were better. That is what I found it at the class. At 9:30 a.m, children were sitting around a table, six kids for each table companying with one teacher. They made jungle picture by using grass and natural materials. That’s embed the relationship standard of the NAEYC Observable Criteria Tools, which is “Teaching staff function as secure bases for children. They respond promptly in developmentally appropriate ways to children’s” (NAEYC, 2012).
• I like how the classroom is set up with learning centers to encourage children, in order to engage children in independent exploration and to use their imaginations. It’s obvious that the classroom well organized; there are places for dramatic play, dinosaur games and synthetic games, also, a place for telling stories and dancing.
• Interactions
• In the concept of emotional intelligence, a person who’s able to understand his emotions has the ability to understand and to control others’ emotions. Pursuing this further, the teacher affects the learner both emotional and behavioral ways. The standard 3.B. Creating Caring Communities for Learning, was applied at the classroom. So the teaching staff create and maintain a setting in which children of differing abilities can progress, with guidance, toward increasing levels of: autonomy, responsibility, and empathy (NAEYC, 2012).
•  I realized that both teachers were highly aware of the children’s mood. One of children, who is Chinese, refused to leave his father and to join to the class. So the teacher tried nicely to encourage him to involve to the class’ activity, but he started crying, and then his father left the class. The teacher hugged him and talked to him softly, as if the child is her son, after a while the child became a part of the class’ activity.
• Moreover, the 1.C.02 standard which is “Teaching staff support children’s development of friendships and provide opportunities for children to play with and learn from each other” (NAEYC, 2012), was obvious at the class, when one of teachers encourages children to play together and share toys.
• The 1.C.04 standard, assist children in resolving conflicts by helping them describe problems and try alternative solutions (NAEYC, 2012), was a clear concept at the class, which I really liked. Two children were playing by dinosaurs; one of them refused sharing with other, which creates a conflict between both children. However, the teacher solves the problem by explaining the concept of sharing things and by asking permission.  
•  Health and Safety
•             The health and safety aspect is unforgettable one in any child center. The standard 5.A.06  of health, which is “When outdoor opportunities for large-motor activities are not possible because of conditions, the program provides similar activities inside”(NAEYC, 2012), was applied. During our tour around the building, Mrs. Kathy showed us a huge room inside the building. It was the GYM, so, when it’s raining or snowing children will have a chance to play. I truly liked how the care about simplest things; moreover, Creative Year Center was the first child center that had this room.
•             Furthermore, both teachers were highly concerned about washing hands for each children before and after and activity, which complete the 5.A.09 (b,c,d) standard.  In reception hall, there were children having their meals. Before they got their meals, the teacher makes sure that they have already washed their hands.(NAEYC, 2012).
•             The safety was provided in each place at the center. I found that in the equipment and furnishings, both were available to allow for children to play safely. For instance, a chair with a back and a seating height that allows the child to sit with his or her feet on the floor or ground. Also, tables are at a height that allows a child to sit comfortably with the table between underarm and waist (NAEYC, 2012).
•             Consequently, when children were swimming; they were five teachers: two class’ teachers, three trainers and Mrs. Kathy. All of them were there to help, teach and observe children during their activity. Also, children took turn to swim with a trainer, so no children swim by themselves, in order to preserve their safety.
•  Programming
• Curriculum is not less important than other standards. It’s defined as all educational experiences that are offered by teachers either in the classroom or outside the classroom. However, there are different programs, summer camp and regular preschool program. The summer camp focuses on offering special field trips for older children and activities. Also, during my observation, children went to swimming pool for half hour.
• The regular preschool program helps children to learn through dramatic play, music, art, science, stories and much more. During the observation, I interviewed one of the teachers; she told me that they highly focus on developmentally appropriate themes, which help children to develop properly.
• Luckily, I met an Iraqi mother, who has both her children in the center. She talked about Furat, her younger son’s experience at the center, which I really liked. According to her, Furat at the beginning was so shy, and he refused to talk to anyone because he does not speak English. However, his teacher helps him to learn and speak, and she tries her best to communicate with him. After a while, Furat starts to speak, understand and communicate. His mother told me that he speaks English more than Arabic. I believe that all those improvements are a result of good program.
• Conclusion
•           Observing Creative Years Child Development & Learning Center was great experience and choice for me. It is really great and safe environment for children to develop adequately. After going through all four standards, I got some beneficial points. This observation enhances my skills and gives me a close view to my perspective career life. Moreover, it encourages me to deal with children and try to understand their needs. Honestly, I believe that there are no benefits of studying without observing or training.
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• Reference
• Creative Years Child Development & Learning Center. (1983-2011). Retrieved from http://www.creative-years.com/about-nashua-child-care/
•             NAEYC. (April, 2012). Observable Criteria Tool: Preschool. National Association for the   Education of Young Children. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/files/academy/file/OTool_SA.pdf