child care

It's Time to Start Thinking About Summer Camp!

smccue — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 15:27:15 +0000

It's Time to Start Thinking About Summer Camp!

smccue Fri, 03/22/2024 - 11:27

The weather is warming up and the days are getting sunnier and longer! Are you starting to think ahead to the long lazy days of summer? Enrolling your child in a summer camp program is a great way to give them a summer of fun and learning!

Our summer camp program offers a great way for families to ensure their children have an exciting summer vacation from school while also having their child care needs met. Whether you’re interested in enrolling your child for one day, a week, or all summer long, you can count on us to provide them with plenty of opportunities for play, learning, and adventure through our summer camp program.

Look Forward to Summertime Fun at Lightbridge Academy!

We are proud to offer the ideal first summer camp experience for young learners. Your child can look forward to all kinds of activities and adventures when they spend the summer with us, while also knowing they are in safe and nurturing hands.

Here are some of the many ways we make our summer camp a memorable experience:

Explore, run and play. For many of us, summer equals freedom. We make sure children have the time to simply enjoy being young and having fun at camp.
Water play activities. Nothing says summer like spending time in the sun and cooling down by splashing around! Our campers can count on engaging in water play activities that make the most of the summer weather.
Outdoor yoga. We also encourage movement and physical activity in the great outdoors through guided outdoor yoga sessions that help children strengthen their mind-body connection.
Arts & crafts. Your child will have the chance to get creative and bring their imagination into reality with our inspiring arts and crafts projects.
Guest entertainers. We keep the excitement going with visits from fun guests who are ready to entertain and educate. You may be wondering why our summer camp is the right choice for your child.

In addition to fun-filled, sun-soaked days, we also offer:

Engaging lesson plans. While learning through play is a highlight of our summer camp, we also structure campers’ days around lesson plans that expand their academic knowledge and help prepare them for the school year ahead.
Social and emotional growth. Camp is a great context in which your child can start building early bonds and navigate the world of friendship while learning to cooperate and collaborate in group activities.
Enhanced health & safety standards. From our state-of-the-art air purification and filtration system to our choice of nutritious snacks and meals, we have all the protocols in place to give you peace of mind about your children’s health and safety.
Constant connection. Curious to know how your little one will get along at summer camp? Thanks to our ParentView® cameras, all you need is an internet connection to keep tabs on your child while they enjoy their summer.
Flexible schedules. As fun as summer is, it can also be stressful for working families. Our flexible schedules and registration options make it easier to balance work and family life, whether you need a few days or several weeks of child care this summer.

We would love to give you more information about what you can expect from our summer camp! Contact a Lightbridge Academy center near you today for details about registration.

Tags

summer camp

child care

Empowering Working Parents: Making Work-Life Balance Possible

Alex Herschman — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 19:40:00 +0000

Empowering Working Parents: Making Work-Life Balance Possible

Alex Herschman Tue, 08/29/2023 - 15:40

With Working Parents Day quickly approaching, we want to recognize all of the incredible moms and dads who master the art of balancing work and parenthood! At Lightbridge Academy, we understand that finding the right balance can be a challenge. That’s why we’re here to celebrate you and share how our child care center plays a vital role in supporting your journey as working parents. Discover how we are the solution that makes work-life balance not just achievable, but enjoyable!

A Holistic Approach to Balance: Being a working parent is a delicate balancing act, and we recognize the importance of creating an environment that supports both your professional and parental roles. At Lightbridge Academy, we offer a comprehensive solution that meets your child’s developmental needs while allowing you to focus on your career with peace of mind.

1. Trusted Child Care Expertise: Our child care center is a haven for your child to learn, grow and thrive under the guidance of skilled and caring educators. We provide a structured, nurturing environment that encourages exploration, creativity, and social development. With age-appropriate activities and a curriculum designed to illuminate young minds, your child’s time with us is a productive and enriching experience.

2. Flexible Scheduling Options: We understand that work schedules can be both demanding and unpredictable. That’s why we offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate your needs. Whether it’s full-time care, part-time care, or drop-in services, we’re here to provide a solution that aligns with your work commitments. Our goal is to ease your worries about childcare logistics, allowing you to focus on your professional endeavors.

3. Seamless Communication: Transparency and communication are key to maintaining a sense of connection with your child even while you’re at work. As part of the Lightbridge Promise, we go above and beyond to keep you connected and feeling secure. Our ParentView® Internet Monitoring system and user-friendly Lightbridge Journey App allow for seamless communication between parents and caregivers. You can receive real-time updates on your child’s activities, meals, and milestones, ensuring that you never miss a moment.

As we celebrate Working Parents Day, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all of the amazing parents who manage to excel in both their professional and parental roles. At Lightbridge Academy, we’re proud to be your partner in creating a balanced, fulfilling life for you and your child. Our center is more than just a childcare; it’s a solution that empowers working parents. Here’s to a day of celebration, and to the ongoing journey of finding harmony between work and family.

Tags

child care

early childhood education

early childhood education center

working parents day

Discovering Labor Day Together - Honoring Hard Work and Fun!

smccue — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 14:15:24 +0000

Discovering Labor Day Together - Honoring Hard Work and Fun!

smccue Mon, 07/31/2023 - 10:15

As Labor Day approaches, it's the perfect time to teach our little ones about the significance of this special day. Labor Day isn't just about an extra day off, a BBQ with friends and family, or the end of summer; it's an opportunity to celebrate the hard work and contributions of workers across our great nation. So, let's embark on a fun and educational journey with our children to explore the true meaning of Labor Day and how to teach them the importance of the day in a way they will understand.

The History Behind Labor Day: First things first, let's delve into the history of Labor Day. This holiday originated in the late 19th century to honor the labor movement and the contributions of workers to our society, later becoming an official federal holiday in 1894. Now, we celebrate it on the first Monday of September each year. By sharing this historical context with our little ones, we help them understand the reasons behind the day's existence and the importance of recognizing the hard work of others.
The Celebration of Workers: Labor Day is a big 'thank-you' to all the people who work tirelessly to make our lives better. Just like superheroes, workers include military, teachers, doctors, police officers, farmers, firefighters, construction workers, and so many others. It's the perfect time to talk to your little one about the different jobs people have and how each one plays a crucial role in building a thriving and caring community. You can even encourage your child to think about the jobs they might like to do when they grow up!
Fun Ways to Celebrate Labor Day: Teaching kids about the significance of Labor Day doesn't have to be all serious. We can infuse the day with fun-filled activities to make it even more memorable! How about organizing a "Career Dress-Up Party"? Let your little ones dress up as their dream job for the day, be it an astronaut, chef, or artist. We can also engage in pretend play activities where we mimic different professions, sparking their imagination and curiosity.
Acts of Kindness: Labor Day is not just about celebrating the efforts of workers; it's also an opportunity to teach our children about gratitude and kindness. We can engage in small acts of kindness, like preparing a thoughtful thank-you card for the people who work hard to make our lives better. Whether it's a note for their doctor or a kind message to the local librarian, these gestures will teach our kids the value of appreciating others' efforts.
Make a Labor Day Craft: Arts and crafts are an excellent way to engage children and reinforce the meaning of Labor Day. You can create a "Gratitude Tree" together, using construction paper leaves with the names of different jobs written on them. Stick these leaves to a branch, and each day leading up to Labor Day, discuss one profession and what they do to help the community.

As parents and caregivers, we play a vital role in teaching our children about the significance of Labor Day. By exploring the history, celebrating workers, engaging in fun activities, and practicing acts of kindness, we instill valuable lessons about hard work, gratitude, and the importance of supporting one another. So, let's make this Labor Day an unforgettable one as we nurture our children's understanding of the world around them, one kind lesson at a time!

Tags

Helping Your Child Make New Friends!

smccue — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 14:44:03 +0000

Helping Your Child Make New Friends!

smccue Thu, 07/20/2023 - 10:44

Are you concerned about your child's social skills and want to help them make new friends? Well, fret not! As adults, we understand the value of strong, meaningful friendships, and it's only natural that we want our little ones to experience the joy of genuine connections too. Here are some tips on how to teach your child to make new friends at home and in school!

1. Lead by Example

Remember that old saying, "Children learn what they live"? Well, it couldn't be more true! As parents, we are our children's role models, and our actions speak louder than words. Demonstrate the value of friendship by maintaining positive relationships with your own friends. Show them kindness, empathy, and respect in your interactions with others, so they can see firsthand what it means to be a good friend.

2. Encourage Open Communication

Create a safe space for your child to express their feelings and emotions. Encourage open communication and active listening at home. When they feel heard and understood, they'll find it easier to connect with others outside the family circle. Remember, you're their confidante, and your support will boost their self-confidence and social skills.

3. Playdates and Social Activities

Engage your child in playdates or group activities where they can interact with other children their age. This can be at school, the local trampoline park, or even through extracurricular activities. By participating in shared interests, they'll naturally find common ground with others, making the process of forming friendships smoother.

4. Teach Empathy and Kindness

Help your child understand the importance of empathy and kindness in building strong friendships. Talk to them about considering others' feelings, showing compassion, and being helpful. A little act of kindness can go a long way in forming lasting bonds.

5. Role-Playing Friendships with Older Children

Engage in role-playing exercises with your child to practice social situations they might encounter. Pretend to be their friend and help them navigate different scenarios, such as introducing themselves, sharing toys, or resolving conflicts. This playful approach can boost their social skills and build their confidence.

6. Emphasize Quality Over Quantity

Remind your child that it's not about the number of friends they have, but the quality of those friendships that truly matters. Encourage them to focus on connecting with like-minded individuals who share their interests and values, rather than trying to impress everyone they meet.

7. Celebrate Differences

Teach your child to embrace diversity and appreciate differences in others. Encourage them to interact with kids from various cultural backgrounds, as this will help broaden their horizons and promote a sense of inclusivity.

8. Be Patient

Making friends is a gradual process, and every child is unique. Be patient and avoid putting pressure on them. Allow friendships to develop naturally and at their own pace. Sometimes, all it takes is one meaningful connection to spark a beautiful friendship!

Helping your child make new friends is a journey that requires a little patience, some empathy, and a lot of love. Be their friend, guide, and supporter throughout this process. Remember, friendship is one of life's most precious gifts, and equipping our children with the skills to foster these connections will set them on a path of happiness and fulfillment.

So, let's go forth with kindness, understanding, and a friendly smile, knowing that we're empowering our children to build beautiful friendships that will last a lifetime. Happy friend-making, everyone!

Tags

The Pandemic Had a Major Impact on Children's Socialization Skills. Here's How the Early Childhood Education Industry Is Helping Them Bounce Back!

lba-admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 12:22:07 +0000

The Pandemic Had a Major Impact on Children's Socialization Skills. Here's How the Early Childhood Education Industry Is Helping Them Bounce Back!

lba-admin Wed, 07/14/2021 - 08:22

Without the ability to interact with other children, children do not develop some of the essential life skills, such as taking turns, sharing, following a schedule and communicating with others, which are foundational for healthy social development and school readiness.

While children are lower at risk for contracting the COVID-19 virus, the psychological effects of the global pandemic have hit society’s youngest members especially hard. In particular, young children in the formative early years, have been most vulnerable as they are at a critical time of social and intellectual development, according to a 2020 study released by the Canadian Journal of Public Health. As schools closed across the country, many children lost an entire year's worth of social stimulation they would have normally experienced outside their home. Now, parents remain rightfully concerned about how the pandemic may have impacted their children’s long-term social and academic development.

Play and socialization are key components to a child’s early education. Children are naturally social creatures and in many ways, “play” is how they learn essential life skills such as taking turns and regulating emotions. They also stimulate synaptic connections in the early stages of development through the development of conversational skills and emotional expression. Due to the isolation and lack of social interaction over the past year, children have not only fallen behind in this regard, but they may also be hesitant or anxious to return to the in-person classroom as schools and child care centers start to reopen. While parents should work with their pediatrician on any developmental concerns, there are a few tips on how to support your child in their development of social skills.

For example, creating a diligent schedule can go a long way in helping children adjust to new environments. As parents tried to juggle working from home and virtual schooling over the past year, some days children never got out of their pajamas. This lack of structure can have an overall negative impact on a child’s emotional well-being — a proper schedule is proven to eliminate stress, which allows children to better develop healthy social and academic habits.

A great way to ease children back into a social environment is with a hybrid approach where children can attend a program in a small group environment such as a child care on a part-time basis and balance the remaining days at home. Children are resilient and parents are often surprised at how quickly their child adjusts and thrives in a new environment. Through play and with nurturing and positive reinforcement, they will learn to make new friends and seek interactive learning experiences. As children adjust, so can their schedule.

Enrolling in a child care is a great way for children to regain the structure they need to feel secure and the support needed to progress. Choose a center that offers a quality curriculum and the technology to provide peace of mind with online cameras and other communication tools to help ease the transition.

Luckily, the future of a child’s socialization isn’t completely reliant on the parents. Across the board, school districts and supplemental education centers have also been prioritizing the social and emotional health of their students. Some child care centers even incorporate yoga and mindfulness programs into the daily curriculum, for example. During the back to school adjustment period, children may become anxious and early childhood education providers will likely pay more attention to these self-soothing practices moving forward.

In addition to incorporating mindfulness and other calming activities into the curriculum, educators will likely be more focused on encouraging play and interaction through STREAM classes. When children can collaborate with peers in a classroom, it encourages the development of essential life skills, such as taking turns, sharing, and communicating with others.

Looking ahead, elementary schools, supplemental education centers and parents should all understand that most children are going to need more support and may even struggle to meet previously set benchmarks.. The good news is that children are resilient and likely to bounce-back quickly. Hopefully, the COVID-19 crisis has helped educate the general population to recognize that children’s social development is just as important as academics, and that the two are inherently linked. By keeping social and emotional development at the forefront of everyone’s mind, we can help children return to a healthy school routine, reduce anxiety and ensure academic success.

Jennifer Romanoff, MA ECE, is a trainer of early childhood teachers, center administrative teams and owners. A published author of three books on responding to toddler behavior, Jennifer has been teaching and training in the early childhood education field for over 29 years. She has presented nationally both through live sessions and webinars. As VP of Education and Training for Lightbridge Academy, Jennifer also creates trainings to support best practices, excellence in education and the accreditation process. A supervisor series of trainings, developed specifically for center administrative teams and child care owners, as well as a distance learning training module are Jennifer’s current focus, utilizing a production studio, an online learning platform, and virtual classroom capabilities. Jennifer is the proud mom of a 19-year-old daughter Madelin, and two fur babies, Scarlett and Buttercup.

Tags

Education

child care

Socialization

Tips for Transitioning Back to Child Care

lba-admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 15:02:03 +0000

Tips for Transitioning Back to Child Care

lba-admin Mon, 06/15/2020 - 11:02

Lightbridge Academy President and COO Gigi Schweikert provides tips for parents as they support children transitioning from home back to school.

Parents and children across the country are understandably experiencing quarantine fatigue. They’ve been cooped up at home for months and isolated from friends and even extended family members. Many parents who are balancing the professional responsibilities of working from home with the round-the-clock coordination of their children’s education, meals and recreation are eager for camps and child care centers to reopen.

While many parents and children are eager to get back to normal as soon as possible, the truth is that “normal” is going to look different as schools, child care centers and offices reopen. Administrators will need to follow enhanced health and safety protocols, practices and recommended guidelines from the Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This will greatly impact your child’s experience.

Fortunately, there are several ways to help ensure a smooth back-to-school transition for both children and parents. Here are a few tips to navigate this new chapter.

Review the changes being made

Lightbridge Academy has created a video directed to children returning to the center and other materials for parents to review on the changes they can expect to experience moving forward. For one, students will be dropped off at the entrance and go back to their classroom with their teachers instead of their parents. It is comforting for a parent to explain this in advance so the child is not caught off-guard and they know what to expect in advance. Reassure them that it’s a positive change. Use phrases along the lines of “You get to go in like a big boy!”

Children will also get a temperature check upon arrival to ensure they do not have a fever. Reassure them with phrases like “All our friends are practicing healthy habits just like you!” Also, if your child often brings a special soft toy, find a place in the car for it to “wait” for them as they will not be able to bring it to school with them, in order to inhibit the spread of germs.

Of course, there will be masks, which might be strange to children who haven’t really ventured outside over the past few months. Teachers and administrators will be wearing masks and parents will be required to wear masks during pick-up/drop-off. Your child may want to wear a mask and if they are over the age of 2, you could find a cute design that they would enjoy.

Explain to your children that these masks are to help keep everybody safe and why it is important not to play with it. Make sure they see you with the mask on prior to drop off if they haven’t already to help them feel comfortable and adjust.

Prepare for separation anxiety

It may seem like everyone is eager to escape their houses and get some respite from an abundance of togetherness, but children may still experience separation anxiety when their schedules are changing and they feel uncertain about what to expect. Infants and toddlers may not remember some of their caregivers and might be nervous as they get reacquainted. Three-year-olds and four-year-olds are more likely to remember their teachers and classmates, but the amount of time that has transpired since they last saw them is still significant. Either way, talk to your child about going back to child care. Show them pictures or videos from their class, and talk about seeing their friends. Ask them how they feel about it, and even encourage them to draw you pictures that portray their feelings. This will help them process their feelings and prevent being surprised.

Be confident and reassuring

As parents, we don’t always realize that our children might be absorbing any anxiety we ourselves might be feeling. Just watching the news can make us anxious, and our children can easily feed off of this emotion. Plus, little ones often take things quite literally. They might hear a parent say “I lost my job” and reply with “I’ll help you find it!” It’s our responsibility as parents to reassure our children as best as we can about what’s going on around them and what they should say and do - and maybe shouldn’t say or do - in certain situations.

Confirm that you’ll miss them

Let’s just admit it: This has been a stressful time. Many parents have lost their jobs. Those with jobs have had to to juggle their work responsibilities along with caring for their child and educational activities. The days have been long and the babysitters nonexistent.

That being said, there have been bright spots over the past few months. No commuting time and major quality time with your kids that you otherwise would not have enjoyed. True, there may have been tears and fights and fatigue over educational activities and diaper changes, but there were also lots of cuddles, movie nights and games. Your kids have literally been growing up in front of your eyes.

To this end, talk to your kids about how much you’ve loved spending so much time together. Let them know how much you’ll miss them. Give them a family photo they can keep in their cubby. Show them all the photos you have of them on your phone and assure them you’ll look at the photos throughout the day. Above all, remind your child that you’ll see them very soon and will pick them up at the end of the day.

Get excited!

Don’t forget to focus on the positives: It’s back-to-school time! Yes, everyone might need to get their temperatures checked and may have to follow new procedures, but it’s still an exciting start to a new school year. Parents can receive the support they need and children can get back to a routine. Learning and beginning a new educational journey. Having fun with their friends and even make some new ones. They can play and run and shout in a safe and fun environment that’s designed especially for them. Above all, everyone will have a chance to miss each other again.

Transitioning back to work and child care is going to be exactly that, a transition, but by respecting the new protocols that need to be followed, talking through feelings and, above all, showing excitement for the return to friends and teachers, parents can help ensure that children have a great back-to-school experience.

Tags

child care

Transition

COVID-19

Making Friends in Child Care

lba-admin — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 19:09:53 +0000

Making Friends in Child Care

lba-admin Wed, 06/19/2019 - 15:09

Children learn a number of important lessons in school, and they aren't all academic in nature. Learning how to make friends, for instance, is one essential lesson that children will experience during their time in child care. They are building confidence and self-esteem by choosing playtime partners, forming close bonds, and taking care of personal needs all by themselves. Check out these tips to help your child make friends at school:

Schedule play dates with other on the weekends. Invite one or two other children over to play with your child for a couple of hours. This will help them learn about sharing and cooperating, as well as how fun it can be to spend time with friends!

Teach your child how to be a good friend and what it means to be a good friend. When your child is playing with their peers, point out positive behaviors that can help them understand how to be a good friend. Reinforce these behaviors to exemplify the importance of compassion, kindness, and other qualities of a good friend and person.

Set good examples. It is important for parents to be positive role models and set examples for their children. Do this by detaching from your computer or phone and setting aside time for one-on-one play. Show them how you can work together to build towers or spaceships, be patient by taking turns to clean up activities before moving onto the next one, and show compassion when things don’t go as planned.

Encourage your child to try new hobbies. Playing sports, games, or participating in other activities can be a great way for your child to socialize with children that share in their interests. You can help your child build these special and meaningful relationships by encouraging your child to pursue his or her interests.

These tips can help your child feel more comfortable making new friends during the upcoming school year!

Tags

The Clothes Battle

lba-admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 14:34:03 +0000

The Clothes Battle

lba-admin Mon, 04/16/2018 - 10:34

“You’re not going out of the house dressed like that.”

“No, you can’t wear your swimsuit to school.”

Whether we’re addressing our school-age children or our preschoolers, the clothes battle can begin as soon as children are able to make choices. Even children as young as toddlers start to demonstrate self-expression and independence through the clothes and accessories they choose to wear. Much to our dismay, our little ones may insist on wearing their Spiderman costume for days at a time, or even demand to wear their new shoes to bed. School-aged children often opt for trendy and cool. And cool usually translates to expensive, name-brand sneakers, jeans, shirts and more. Some teens prefer attire that we consider grungy and ill fitting. Whatever the choice, it’s not always what we would chose for them.

Why are clothes so important? Clothes and appearance are the most demonstrative ways for children to express themselves to others. Clothing becomes increasingly important to children as they get older. Our children want to fit in, be cool and feel accepted by their peers. In retrospect, many of us may have made some poor clothing choices. Just take a look back at your old middle school and high school yearbooks. Clothing choice is also a safe way for children to express normal adolescent rebellion.

Does it matter what our children wear? The old adage, “You can’t judge a book by its cover,” doesn’t ring true when it comes to clothing in our society. Children are judged by their peers and other adults based on the way they dress. And to make the clothes battle even more complicated, what our children’s peers find cool is often what parents and other adults find inappropriate. Although it doesn’t seem fair, the way our kids look and dress is often how others judge our parenting skills. Do we care what others think? Do we care how our children look when they leave the house? Most of us are just glad to get out of the house on time. But when it comes to determining what’s appropriate clothing, there are lots of factors to consider: the age of our children, their destination, our budget and our personal preference. After all, we are the parents and we have the final say.

Having our children learn to dress themselves is a life skill they just can’t live without. Here are some things to consider:

Decide if it’s worth the battle. Do we really care if our young children go to school with one white sock and one black sock because they “did it all by themselves?” Does it matter if school-age children wear all black and spike up their hair? Ultimately, most of us have to conform to societal expectations of appropriate clothing in order to be successful, but most children are merely experimenting with self-expression, exerting independence and expressing normal rebellion.

Determine what is inappropriate. Clothing that does not protect your child against the weather and clothing that is revealing would probably be considered inappropriate by most of us. What’s too revealing? Do the twist, turn and lean over test. If your child’s undergarments show when they bend over or raise their hands up, their clothes may be too revealing.

Reserve the right to veto certain clothing. Even if you feel comfortable letting your child express themselves, let them know that you reserve the right to object to them wearing certain outfits.

Establish parent choice days. From the time your children are young, you can establish occasions when your child has to wear what you choose. These maybe holidays, religious services, special ceremonies or family gatherings.

Give your child choices. For infants and toddlers, the dressing part is not so much “the what” of clothing as “the how” of dressing. Kids just don’t want to get dressed sometimes and that’s especially true when it’s the morning and we’re in a rush. For young children who are reluctant to get dressed in the morning, dress them in comfortable sweat or short outfits, depending upon the season, for bed. In the morning, change the diaper, brush the hair and go.

For preschoolers, try selecting all of their clothes for the week ahead of time to avoid morning battles, or give your child two outfits to choose from when getting dressed. For especially independent dressers, remove any clothing that you’re not willing to let them to wear from their closet or make “I dressed myself today” stickers and let your child have at it. Then everyone will know that your child’s ensemble was a kid choice and not yours.

For school-age children, shop together. Let your child know your expectations before you get to the store. For example, say, “We’re not buying any belly shirts.” Give your child a clothing budget for each shopping trip and with your assistance, let them decide which clothing and shoes they want.

Usually the biggest problem with our children’s choice of clothes is our own parental embarrassment. Other adults expect us to have our children "properly" dressed, and if they aren't, they judge us as incompetent parents. But as long as a child is warm and dry, does it really matter if they’re wearing something unusual? As Barbara Coloroso said, "It's not life threatening and it's not morally threatening." Seems easy enough, but somehow a toddler in a Spiderman outfit seems much cuter when it’s not your kid.

Tags

Clothes

Toddler

child care

Studies Show the Average Working Mom Clocks in More Than 90 Hours Per Week

lba-admin — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 17:05:51 +0000

Studies Show the Average Working Mom Clocks in More Than 90 Hours Per Week

lba-admin Tue, 11/07/2017 - 12:05

For Linda Griffin, an accountant and mother of three, her workday doesn’t start when she gets to work and end when she gets home. With three kids, aged 3, 9 and 11, her workday starts when she wakes up at 6:00 a.m. and ends around 10:00 p.m., after homework is done, stories are read and the children are asleep in their beds. Every week, she’s clocking 80 hours of work a week, and that’s just from Monday until Friday.

“Our mornings start at 6 a.m. and are incredibly busy, with everyone running around trying to get ready for their days,” said Griffin. “My husband and I split the morning dropoffs and I head to New York City for work. The commute usually takes an hour and 15 minutes on a good day, on a bad day, even longer. My husband and a babysitter handle the pickups. I usually get home around 6:30 or 7 p.m., but if I have to work late, I might not get home until after 9 p.m., which just extends my work day even longer because the rest of the stuff still has to get done.”

Griffin isn’t alone. A recent study showed that working mothers average more than 90 hours of work per week, when the time doing chores around the house is factored in.

Because of the age difference between her youngest and oldest children, Griffin is regularly asked if things are harder with Connor, who came six years after his sister Emily. Griffin laughs, “Connor is the easiest. He goes to daycare!”

The “daycare” she is referring to is actually much more than a daycare. Lightbridge Academy is an early education and child care center with a comprehensive curriculum, and Connor is enrolled at the Rutherford, New Jersey location. Her children have been enrolled at that same center since her oldest, Kayleigh, now 11, was a baby, and by the time Connor graduates, the family will have been going to that center for 14 consecutive years.

“The older girls have activities, I have to keep track of who has to get picked up where, who has homework or other projects,” Griffin said. “With Connor, his Lightbridge Academy schedule is the easiest for us. We drop him off and we know he’s in good hands and learning all day at Lightbridge. Some centers close early, but Lightbridge is open until 6:30 p.m., which works great for our busy schedules.”

When she was looking into care options for Kayleigh, she was drawn to the brand not only because of its convenient hours, but because of its bright atmosphere and friendly and caring staff. Now, more than a decade later, her feelings of loyalty have only gotten stronger.

“From the minute I walked in with Kayleigh, Lightbridge felt like the perfect place for us. I knew that no matter what is going on in my day, my kids were taken care of, having fun and learning. When the girls come with me to drop off Connor, they’re excited to see their teachers. It’s like a family. We were very lucky with the directors and the parents in the class, it was a tight-knit group and we are all still connected.”

Griffin adds that all three of her children had the same teacher in the infant room, which says a lot about teacher retention.

“When we started at Lightbridge Academy, the center was less than a year old, and some of the classrooms were empty. Since then, the center has expanded because it was so well-received in the area. I feel that the staff puts in the extra effort and genuinely care about my children. It always feels very sincere. Plus, they take care of us as parents. They’re very accommodating, communicative and easy to work with and make my life as a busy working mom much easier.”

The balance between work and family life will always be tough for working mothers like Griffin, but when a child is in good hands during the workweek, it makes all the difference.

Tags

working parent

Daycare

child care

The Common Cold and Tips to Prevent it

lba-admin — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 12:53:32 +0000

The Common Cold and Tips to Prevent it

lba-admin Thu, 11/02/2017 - 08:53

Today is the most important meeting of your career, or a least it feels like it. Associates contacted, meeting room arranged, presentation complete, and guess what? Your preschooler wakes up with the sniffles and a slight fever. So what do you do? Give her some juice, stuff some extra tissues in their pocket and take them to school hoping that dose of pain reliever/fever reducer medication doesn’t wear off before your meeting’s over. It might sound cruel, and it certainly brings on the guilt, but most of us have taken our children to school when they were a bit under the weather. And it’s no wonder! According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (March 2001), the common cold is the leading cause of doctor visits and school and work absenteeism. The common cold is also the most frequent illness among young children.

In the United States, most colds occur during the fall and winter. Beginning in late August or early September, the incidence of colds increases slowly for a few weeks and remains high until March or April, when it declines. Colds spread more in colder weather when people spend more time inside and children spend more time together in school and child care.

When we enroll our children in preschool and child care it often seems like they are getting sick more often than their stay-at-home counterparts. And they might be since colds spread more when children are clustered together inside. On average, kids in group care during the first three years of their lives get about twice as many colds as their peers during those years. But here’s the good news. Each time a child fights off a cold, they develop immunity to that virus, reports the February 2002 issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

By 6 to 11 years of age, the children who had been enrolled in large day care centers were reportedly 60% to 70% less likely to have frequent colds than their at-home peers. In other words, child care kids are spared through the elementary school years when being home sick might make a bigger difference. The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine adds, “It is hard to see our children suffer through common childhood maladies, such as the common cold, but this is an inevitable part of the development of their immune systems. Whether they acquire that immunity during preschool or elementary, it will be acquired on their way to a healthier future.”

Although there is no cure for the common cold, there are several things we can do to reduce the spread of colds. Here are 10 tips that may help prevent the spread of colds for your and your family this cold season. This list was created by the National Network for Child Care adapted from Rice and Pollard’s book, Colds, Flu, and Other Respiratory Infections, 2001.

1. Wash hands. Washing hands literally rinses germs away. Be sure to use soap and warm, running water to best wash germs off the hands. Teach children to say their ABCs while washing so they keep their hands under the faucet long enough.

2. Don't share cups. Using paper cups can be helpful to avoid spreading germs. Having a dispenser of small cups in key areas (e.g., kitchen, bathroom) can help children to make it a habit.

3. Use paper tissue. It is best to blow the nose on paper tissue and throw it away. It is important to keep the nose gently blown to rid the body of mucous; however, throwing the tissue away immediately is also important because it is a source of cold virus that can be spread by leaving it on a counter, desk, couch, chair, etc.

4. Don't touch eyes, nose, or mouth. If exposed to someone with a cold, don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, which is where germs can be passed. Try to help children to understand how germs can be spread in this way. Encourage children to wash their hands frequently.

5. Use disposable towels. In the kitchen and other areas, it is best to use paper or other disposable towels instead of cloth towels. Both bacteria and viruses can live on cloth towels for hours.

6. Keep toys clean. Toys often carry germs. Regularly wash children's toys in warm, soapy water to kill bacteria and viruses.

7. Sneeze away. That is, sneeze away from others and into a tissue that can be thrown away. If you have to cover your mouth with your hands, be sure to wash your hands afterward. Model these behaviors for children.

8. Ventilate. Open windows when the weather permits because germs may remain stagnant in air. Also, keep the air moist to avoid nose irritation. Use a humidifier.

9. Wipe up germs. Germs may rest on surfaces (up to three hours) that are touched a lot, such as door knobs, handrails, light switches, telephones, remote controls, and counter tops. Use a disinfectant as often as possible to wipe them clean.

10. Don't smoke or allow smoking. Smoking can irritate the nose and lungs and drastically increase children's susceptibility to colds. It's best to make your environment a smoke-free one.

Even though we parents of preschoolers are often frustrated by our children's frequency of colds and the lack of an effective treatment for the common cold, we should take heart in knowing that our children are developing immunity which will protect them against similar illnesses in the future. That’s sometimes little comfort when a sick child requires our attention and the demands of work are still calling.

Tags

child care

Preschool

cleanliness