The Ecential
Posts
Fish Milk & Trench Coats

Fish Milk & Trench Coats

December 10, 2024

There was an old woman, who lived in a shoe…But we’re not going to finish the lyrics to this 18th century nursery rhyme. Instead, we’re covering the mystery of the “Sole Survivors: The Missing Shoes Caper” in a Japanese kindergarten. As a tradition, shoes are taken off in the entrance of a home or classroom. But in one classroom, white canvas shoes started to disappear. The town was perplexed. Who could do this to children? Were those Nikes? What’s wrong with the pink shoes? Well, it turns out it was a stylish little weasel. And we’re not referring to sneaky deceptive people in trench coats peaking around the corner of shadowy alleys. No sir! It turns out, it was an actual weasel. It just so happened to have a certain style of kicks it liked! Thank goodness for the security cameras to solve this incredibly stressful crime.

ECE Profiles: The American ECE Teacher

They are the backbone of America’s early childhood education system. They have their own style and swagger. They can herd cats and call order to the rowdiest of groups. It’s who parents turn to first. But who are they? Sure, you may know your own team. Yes, 98% of teachers are female. But what else? What do the numbers look like across the good ‘ol US of A? It’s pretty clear it’s not a “one size fits all.” Here is a breakdown of some stats we’d like to share with you:

Age: Did you know the majority of early childhood educators actually fall within the 30-49 age range, comprising about 40% of the workforce? This stat exhibits their dedication to the profession as a career. Younger educators (under 30) and those older than 50 make up smaller proportions. 2024 survey results can be found here!
Education: Just as much as the age ranges vary, so the do the education levels. Here is a snapshot of the what that looks like across the industry.
- High School Diploma/GED: 25–35%
- Some College or Associate’s Degree: 30–40%
  - Many teachers in this group hold an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field, or have completed some college coursework.
- Bachelor’s Degree: 20–30%
  - Most common degrees are Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Child Development
- Master’s Degree or Higher: 5–10%
  - These degrees are more likely found in leadership roles, specialized teaching positions, or in programs that emphasize advanced credentials, such as public Pre-K or certain Head Start programs.

One thing is also certain. Most teachers are continuously pursuing additional accreditations and education credits. They care about the kids and making sure their education and experience helps them do the best they can. How does this compare with your team? How can this data help with teacher training and staffing needs? We’d love to hear your thoughts so we can share with our readers!

DID YOU KNOW?

There may be a new type of “milk” being added to the menu? We already see the plethora of other milks. Soy, oat, flax, goat, cashew, almond and the list goes on and on and on. But a company in Indonesia is creating a new type of milk. Fish milk. Yep, you read that correctly. We’re not arguing that it might not be nutritious. But we don’t think that will be a new option being added to your classroom daily sheet app any time soon. Gross….

Do you love Slurpee’s? It seems a WHOLE lot of people do. 7-Eleven, the famous purveyor of this slushy, bright colored concoction sold a whole bunch of them. In fact, 153 million are reported to have been in sold in 2023. At $1-$2 a pop, that’s a lot of money.

ECE Vendor Profile: WatchMeGrow

Occasionally, The ECEntial will profile a vendor that provides ecential, unique, or just fun products or services based on market or reader feedback. Thanks to our readers, we wanted to spotlight WatchMeGrow, which has been providing streaming camera services to ECE centers for over two decades!

With an active AI lab, they are adding new cutting edge features to their platform keeping them at the forefront of safety and family engagement. Here is a quick and short list of new features that is setting them apart!

Parents can now react to live video streams. You know you want those heart emojis flowing!
Controls, controls and more controls. Pick and choose days and times parents have access.
Integrate Google (and other) review platforms into the video stream. Go get those 5-star reviews with just a tap!
Catch pesky animals stealing white canvas shoes with greater ease! (Just Kidding!)

Check out their website here!

Only 15 days left until Christmas! What’s your favorite Christmas movie? Take the poll below!

What is your favorite Christmas movie?

YOUR VOICE COUNTS

Is there a topic you want more info on or want to share a funny story? Then let us know! Shoot us a quick email at [email protected]. This newsletter is for you, and well, you should have a say, don't’ you think?