If you’re wondering if you’re “reading into daycare too much” let us help you out by first saying you’re not at all! Picking out the perfect preschool or daycare program is comparable to picking out the best college, except with about 15 years difference in between! You should (and have every right to) be extra picky when it comes to picking out your child’s first school. However often we find that many parents become overwhelmed in the whole process and forget to ask vital questions to the prospective schools. Many parents, brand new and not, have suddenly walked into the classroom and forgot all the questions that had been keeping them up at night.
You are not alone!
Here’s just a few,
What to ask your child’s potential daycare:

1.  “What does your curriculum look like?”

This is SO important especially if you’re someone who wants their children to attend a preschool or early education facility more than just a daycare. It’s also important to set eyes on what the curriculum looks like. A curriculum that is out and always available to parents shows there is an academic plan rather than letting chaos break lose every day. Some basics in curriculum are: math & manipulatives, science & sensory, literacy, social studies.
Of course, the end goal for almost every parent who places their child into a preschool program is for their kid to be more than ready for Kindergarten. Ask questions like, “How do you guys help with that?” and “How do you incorporate that standards they need to know into the kids’ every day?” Whether your looking for Infant care or beyond, Kindergarten is going to come FAST so be sure to think about it now!

2. “How do you take care of your teachers?”

Might seem silly but this is such an important question! Anyone in any level of education knows that kids are downright hard. It takes some amazing individuals to teach day in and day out.
By simply asking how a program takes care of their teachers can give you a lot of insight into what goes on behind the scenes. If you get stammered answers or a deer in the headlights look, it can be surmised that the teacher’s mental health and well-being isn’t at the top of anyone’s to-do list. This truly is something that should be considered as the happier the teacher, the better (we all assume) the care of the kids will be.

3. “Do you have a camera system?”

It’s crazy to think that in 2018 not every program has a camera system! Our society is way too far advanced for this to be the case. So, with that being said you want to ask and see! Beyond that, ask if that camera system records, if parents can login and look throughout the day, and the security that goes behind the logins.
On the days when your child has rough drop-offs it’s always a great thing to be able to login and see that the 10 minutes of tears has passed, and your child has now moved on and is actively playing with the other children!

4. Ask about the teachers, administration and owners!

Who are the people that you are going to partner with to help teach your child! Parenting is a partnership even beyond your child’s first 18 years. Don’t be afraid to create conversation with your child’s teacher about what’s going on in the home, or if you have questions about certain behaviors your child is exhibiting. Ultimately you want a program that is going to teach like you parent! Whether your family is all about self-problem solving or if you guys tackle problems as a team, it’s good to know what your teacher’s style is like!

We also feel as though it’s important to ask if the program you’re looking into is corporate or family-run. While both have great benefits, sometimes families prefer one over the other! If you like the corporate programs, investigate the core values of the “big guys” and see if you can see that in the program. If you like family-run, see if you have a chance to meet the family running it, that’s huge!

Other things to look at are:

• The playground areas, do they look gated and safe?
• How do the classrooms look, are they organized or more than what you’d expect to be messy?
• Does it smell like bodily fluids as soon as you walk through the front door? No one wants that…
• Do the teachers acknowledge and greet you when you walk into their classroom?
• Is there a pin or security entry as you walk into the door?

Some helpful tips, right? Everything about picking out a preschool or daycare is important so don’t feel as though you’re being pushy or asking “too many” questions. Your child IS the most important thing in the world, remember that above all else!

It’s time for your little one to attend to preschool and you have no idea how to prepare for it. You may have heard from other parents that the transition for the first few weeks will be hard and stressful for both you and your child. Separation anxiety in children is a common thing and it’s nothing to be afraid of. There are ways to help children adjust to preschool and to make the transition easier for both of you.

Starting school is a big milestone for both kids and parents. Preschool offers a lot of benefits but it can be a bit difficult for children to leave the familiar safety of home. Some parents may also worry about whether their children are ready for school or not. Here are 8 tips to help you and your child adjust to preschool.

Have a Positive Attitude

Going to school for the first time is a big change in a family’s life. Remember to always stay positive. Children can pick up on your feelings, whether it’s positive or negative. So if you are having a hard time, your child will feel that way, too. Try to have the  mindset to be perky and excited. Pay attention to the way you talk about them going to school. If you sound nervous, your child will tune in to your feelings and not the words you’ve spoken. Portray a sense of calmness and confidence. Preschool is a wonderful thing to happen to kids. Let them grow, learn, and develop new memories with teachers and schoolmates.

Talk to your child about school

Introduce the idea of school to your child long before they’re ready for school. Introduce them other children who go to school. Show them the school bus and tell them stories about how much fun it is to ride in one. Tell them what they can do in school and how they can make lots of new friends and playmates there. Describe the playground and the new toys they can play with and so on. Talk about school as a positive place for them to go to. Don’t create a negative impression about school, otherwise, your child may not look at school in a positive manner.

A consistent routine is key

Having a consistent routine can create a sense of normalcy for every child. Make a consistent morning ritual and make sure that they have enough sleep the night before. Have breakfast together, pack lunch, help them prep for school, and leave home happily. At school, you can say hello to their teacher together before saying goodbye to each other.

Slowly and gradually phase out separation anxiety

Separation anxiety in children is common especially between the ages 1 to 3. Children tend to cling to their parents and cry out whenever they don’t see them near. When your child is already going to preschool, try to phase out separation. Most preschools allow the parents to stay with their children for the first few hours. Encourage your child to enjoy the new environment they are in. Children can become comfortable in 2-3 days time. Every child reacts differently, so depending on how they respond, you can gradually decrease the time you spend with your child. Leave them for half an hour, then an hour and so on. Make sure to pick your child up on time. This instills confidence in them that you are there whenever they may need you. If you can already see that your child is enjoying school without your company, try not to linger too long and go on to your other tasks.

Help ease your child’s fears

At a young age, children are still not capable of expressing their feelings in words. Try to be gentle and understanding. If going to school scares your child and they refuse to go, talk to them and make them understand how important school is. Talk instead of trying to force them.

Recall the second tip. Spend time having conversations with your child about school. Gradually introduce your child to the possible activities they will get to do in school. You can also let them play early with crayons and paper, this will make them comfortable when they see these things at school. To ease your child’s fear of unknown territory, visit the preschool classroom a few times before school starts. Meet with the teachers and  ask about common school activities and routines to prepare your child for what is ahead.

Let your child explore the new classroom and let them interact with other children. This will help them become familiar with this new environment. The more composed and calm you are with sending your child to preschool, the more confident your child will be going to school.

Saying goodbye helps

When leaving your child at school, do not sneak out. Don’t leave without saying a proper goodbye. You don’t want your child to feel abandoned when you sneak out, right? Avoiding a tearful farewell by not saying goodbye may be an idea you’d entertain but it will just impose a negative feeling to your child. Always include a loving goodbye and make it quick. If you are going to make a promise to return, be sure to be on time.

Stay connected

Always make time to bond with your child. Every day after school, have a special time to ask them about their day. Listen to what they have to say and interact.

Involve the teacher

Children need to feel connected to adults that they think will keep them safe. When they are in school, the immediate adult they have in their environment is the teacher. Help your child bond with the teacher. Experienced teachers can help children ease the transition from home to school. They can assign a special job to the child so that they can feel more connected, like they have a role to play each day. Teachers have a lot of effective strategies in their arsenal for helping young kids adjust in school. Your child will learn to trust their teacher when you show that you trust them, too.

When it’s time for your child to go to school, make sure to prepare early. Let them get a good night’s sleep so that they will have the energy to do fun activities in school. Preparing early  will help your child adjust to preschool quickly. Follow the tips mentioned above for an easy transition of this big change. If you are looking for a good preschool for your child, check out this daycare in Colorado Springs.

It’s August, summer is finally coming to an end and the new school year is right around the corner. Time for  parents and students all over the country to start their back to school preparations. Whether your children look forward to this event or they dread the regimented school days ahead, one thing is for sure – back to school entails another big transition. Help your kids cope with the biggest adjustments and make those first weeks of school easier for them with the following tips:

Start talking about the upcoming school year

Before summer break ends, find opportunities to talk to your child about the upcoming school year. Instead of allowing them to dwell on the post-holiday blues, get them excited about going back to school. Think of the things your child will love about school. It could be spending time  with friends, having time to play with other kids, or about a subject they are interested in? Highlight these topics during your conversation so that they’ll have something to look forward to.

[Read more…]