We hope you all have had such a great time this holiday season!

One thing we try and foster with the kids in community and the importance of giving. For the 5th year in a row we were able to support the Colorado Springs Christmas Tree project! The CSCTP donates Christmas trees to families not just in Colorado Springs but all over the state to families who are in hardship, just went through crisis or simply just need some help.

We wrangled up a couple different recipes and the kids put on their aprons and went to work! We are more than a little proud to say that our kids collectively made OVER 700 handmade ornaments for these families! To learn more about this for next year visit: The Christmas Tree Project

Merry Christmas from the Young Scholars Academy kids, parents and team!

Winter is coming, and that means that the holidays are on their way. It’s the perfect time to feel the holiday spirit and try to help your fellow man. There are a lot of different ways to do that, so it’s easy to find something that can make a difference for a small part of the world that anyone can handle.

Donate Blood

The Red Cross always needs blood donations, but the need increases during times when people are more likely to be injured. People travel a lot around the holidays, which means there are more accidents and thus more injuries, so blood banks can run into trouble during the holidays. Blood also spoils quickly, so you can be sure that your donation is needed, especially if you have a rare blood type. Donating blood is quick, easy, and free, so it’s a great option for people who are interested in giving back to others without going to too much trouble.

The best way to donate blood is to schedule a visit to a local blood drive. Most blood drives will advertise for several days before the event, so it’s relatively easy to find one. The Red Cross can also help you to find the nearest blood drive if there aren’t any local advertisements. If there aren’t any blood drives to attend, consider organizing one of your own. It takes more work, but blood can save lives, so it’s certainly worth the effort.

Volunteering as a Tutor

Education is one of the keys to building a better life, but sometimes getting an education is easier said than done. Volunteering your time as a tutor can give the gift of knowledge to someone in need, and that gift can pay dividends for years to come. There are several ways to do this, so most people can find some way to help.

Literacy is one of the most important skills because it enables people to learn other things, but some people have trouble with it. Children need to practice reading if they’re going to get good at it, but they don’t always get that chance at home. Providing it is a great way to give back to the community. Simply handing out simple books and giving children the chance to read to you as you fix their mistakes can be a big help. Reading to them is also useful, and almost any adult can do it.

Older students often need help with specific subjects. Helping them requires more specialized knowledge, but you can still do it if you understand the subject. Adults with specialized skills, like woodworking, can also take the chance to pass those on. They aren’t always taught in school, but they’re still useful.

The best way to get involved through tutoring is to contact a local school and ask if they need help with any of their clubs or programs. Libraries are also a good choice, especially for people who want to help with literacy issues. Even if they don’t need volunteers themselves, they can usually point you towards a program that does.

Cook a Feast

Most holidays involve big meals with big groups of people. If you’re filled with the holiday spirit and want to give back in a way that fits the season, you can’t go wrong by contributing to a meal for the community.

These community meals help to solve several different problems at the same time. At a basic level, they can help to fight hunger in the community. They can also spread some holiday joy to people who aren’t able to afford the traditional meal on their own. One meal may not seem like much, but it can make a big difference to people who are on the verge of poverty.

Community feasts also offer a hidden benefit. It isn’t much fun to be alone for the holidays, but it happens to a surprising number of people. These events give those individuals a chance to come together with other people for the holidays that would otherwise be denied to them. That’s a powerful gesture, and it can make the holidays much brighter.

Remember the Essentials

In the end, the holidays are a time to give back to the community. Even a small effort can make a big difference, so there’s no reason not to do something to help others. As long as you remember the golden rule when you volunteer, it’s hard to go wrong.

image credits: http://kut.org/term/thanksgiving, https://dougmatlock.wordpress.com/2013/11/13/i-hate-giving-blood-but/, http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/haveamagnificentday/2011/12/holiday-spirit-the-spirit-of-giving.html

After having a child, many parents are faced with the decision of child care for when they are at work. There are two different options that parents can choose from – preschool and daycare. Many parents have to consider the differences between the two forms of child care. Let’s take a look at what the main differences between preschool and daycare are and how you can decide which is best for your family.

Pre-School

Typically, preschool (pre-k) centers are focused on preparing a child to begin school and provide for an early learning program. However, most pre-k programs are usually limited on the age ranges they can accept. Many preschools typically are only able to accept children beginning around the age of three who are fully potty trained up to the age of five. A pre-k program generally provides care for shorter hours to essentially mimic a school day and do not provide care for children during school breaks, holidays, and summer vacations. Some pre-k’s may offer extended care programs, which may keep them open during school breaks and summer vacations. An immense benefit to a pre-k institution is that your child will be in a program that allows them to interact with children their own age. This level of interaction allows your child to create and sustain relationships with his or her peers based on any similarities that they may have.

PreK Pro’s include:

– a school like schedule
– age based programs
– grow strong relationships with peers

Day Care

Child care providers, or daycare centers, are typically more flexible in their hours and encompass a care plan for a wider range of age groups. Many working parents feel that child care is more convenient for them because the hours are typically longer than a preschool center and they do not have to have a larger back up plan for any school breaks. Going with a daycare route does not limit your child to interacting with child who are only in their specific age group and can provide additional benefits in their development. As a daycare provider is able to have children of multiple age groups coexist in one central location, many children are provided with the benefit of learning things about their peers who are in different age groups and can ascertain a level of compassion earlier on in their personal development that they may not have a chance to cultivate in a pre-k program. In many instances, parents may not see a difference between a daycare or a pre-k program.

Day Care Pros include:

– more freedom for a work schedule
– develop a sense of compassion due to the expansion of age groups involved     in care
– lower cost

Pricing

Typically, pricing between a daycare center and a preschool are relatively similar. Each institution also requires similar, if not the same certifications. However, many times a parent may pick an in home daycare ran by a private provider that does not have as strict of a certification plan to follow in order to cut daycare costs. This is not a bad idea, if the family is comfortable with the provider they have selected.
Care Provider Introductions
It is always best practice to have your child visit with the person/people whose care he or she may be in for the day. Setting up a visitation allows for everyone to meet and for parents to see how their child will react with the care provider.

Emphasis on Education

Many times, parents are also concerned with the chance of any educational differences between a typical generic daycare program and a pre-k setting. However, generic daycare can provide as much of an educational day for your child as a pre-k program. The best day care programs are focused on providing your child with a day that will encourage cognitive, social, and physical development. It is important for families to keep in mind that preparing your child for elementary school does not always mean that you have to put your child into an exceptionally scrupulous academically based program. If your child’s daycare provider thoroughly cares for the development of your son or daughter, they will ensure that the daily routine for your child encompasses a strong emphasis on educational marks that are developmentally appropriate for your child.

As new parents, it is imperative that you and your significant other look at each type of program that is available in your area and weigh out your personal pro’s and con’s to each available program. However, when families are making their decisions, they must also include the location of each program in their pro/con list. Many times, you may feel rushed in the mornings as you get into a new routine with your child and you want to ensure that your mornings go as smoothly as possible which is why location is key. Each family may have a different opinion regarding the best child care and best preschool choices that will work better in the benefit for the schedule of the parents and the development of their child.

Preschool and Daycare at Young Scholars Academy in Colorado Springs.

At Young Scholars Academy in Colorado Springs, we want you to make the best childcare decision for your child and your family. But we also want you to check out our great preschool programs and stop by our childcare center. We will be happy to answer all your questions during your search! Contact us today!