Daycare

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!

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child care

Daycare

child care

Preschool

holiday

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!

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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!

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Tips for Toilet Training Success !

lba-admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 15:46:00 +0000

Tips for Toilet Training Success !

lba-admin Wed, 02/06/2019 - 10:46

The right tools - and a lot of patience - will go a long way when potty training your child.

Learning to go to the bathroom “all by yourself” is a huge milestone for any child to attain, one they each meet at their individual pace.

The American Academy of Pediatrics states that toilet training a child takes a lot of patience, time and understanding. Most children do not become fully toilet trained until they are between 2 and 4 years of age.

With the right guidance and encouragement, your child will be able to go when they are developmentally ready, however, this timing does not necessarily coincide our timetable or expectations. Every child eventually trains herself, and that is the secret to toilet training success.

Many parents can put an undo amount of stress on themselves and their child by setting a fixed age in their mind of when they want their child potty-trained. It is not necessary and often times will create the reverse effect. Focus on making toilet time a fun learning experience and a bonding opportunity. Before you know it, you’ll be telling your grown child, “I used to change your diapers!”

Stay Tuned In. Children will often give us clues letting us know when they’re ready to start toilet training especially when they're in child care or a group care setting.

Can your child follow directions easily?
Does your child tell you when her diaper is dirty?
Are they curious about or want to sit on the toilet or potty chair?
Is your child’s diaper still dry after sleeping or after a nap?
These are signs that your child might be ready to start toilet training.

Are You Prepared? Your child isn’t the only one that needs to be prepared to make this be transition away from diapers. Toilet training will also change your daily schedule. Are YOU ready?

Be prepared to wash more laundry.
Purchase extra paper towels and other cleaning products to clean-up any accident.
Starting on a weekend is the ideal schedule for working parents so clear your calendar.
Most importantly, are you ready to muster extra patience and say positive and encouraging?
If so, then you are also ready to potty train your child!

Training Tools. All jobs require the right tools. When you and your child are ready to start toilet training, here are some tools to help you succeed!

Super Fun Underwear! When you’re ready to start toilet training, make a special date with your child to go shopping for underwear. Let your child pick the type of underwear they want and make it a really fun day! Buy extra, you will want to make sure you have plenty on hand. This will enable you to keep extras in the bathroom, in the car, at grandma’s and in your purse so your child can change easily after an accident.

Special Basket. Have a special basket for your child to throw their dirty underwear. It will avoid a mess in your laundry basket and keep the whole family happier! Having your child feel in control even during accidents is a great way to build confidence.

Potty Chair. You might want to consider a potty chair that sits on the floor. Children seem to have a greater sense of security without an oversized toilet, giant steps going up and swirling, flushing water below. We give children little spoons, little beds, little cups and little books. Little potties just make sense!

Reading Materials. Keep a special basket of books for in the bathroom. Your child will have so much fun reading they might even forget where they are sitting. Reading can also relax them and help to make them go to the bathroom. If adults enjoy reading in the bathroom, children can too!

Routine. Create a toilet routine. Make toilet time part of the everyday schedule. When you find that your child’s diaper is dry after a nap, start the routine of heading to the bathroom as soon as your child wakes up. Your child will have a better chance of success when their bladder is full right after waking.

Stickers. It’s no secret that children love stickers. Try keeping a sticker chart and let your child add a sticker every time they have any success. When the stickers add up, give you child a treat - a book, a snack or special time with you.

Remember, accidents happen! Major life events, such as a new sibling or a new school, can cause anxiety in children. This anxiety can be expressed physically instead of verbally. That’s normal. Your child may not know how to tell their new teacher they need to go to the bathroom or is too embarrassed to say anything. Talk to the teacher and ask them to check-in with your child to let them know that they are there to support them.

Also, many children who have accidents are just so involved in playing and learning that they forget to go to the bathroom. Remind your child every hour while they are training and continue reminding them until they are in full control. If your child is doing the so-called “pee-pee dance” or is unable to talk without wiggling, it may be time for a visit. Don’t waste any time asking your child, just grab their hand, sing “It’s time to read the potty book!” and head straight to the bathroom.

Setback Before Success. Finally, if your child seems frustrated or upset by their toilet training efforts, there is no harm in hitting the “Pause” button and switching back to diapers. It doesn’t confuse your child if you stop and start again. Sometimes a few months or even just a few weeks can make the learning process happen almost effortlessly overnight.

Most importantly, just relax! And remember: Children don’t go to college in diapers!

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Childcare

Potty Training

Daycare

Five Simple Ways to Manage Your Time!

lba-admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 19:43:47 +0000

Five Simple Ways to Manage Your Time!

lba-admin Mon, 04/16/2018 - 15:43

We all try to be organized. We know it's not your intention to forget the class cupcakes or to dress your children in purple on orange day. It's not easy to manage the family' schedule, handle the household chores and make dinner, all while working and raising a family. Being organized is really about knowing your responsibilities, prioritizing the work to be done, and using time as a gift.

Let's discuss managing your time today, as this is a big part of taking back control of your schedule. When you place your goals and priorities at the forefront, it will assist you in making the necessary changes required to live the successful life you truly want to live.

With kids, life is unpredictable. How many times have you tried to leave the house and you are missing your child's shoes? With a few important changes, you can learn how to how to take full advantage of the time you have and help to relieve some of the pressure you feel with the daily time crunch.

Here are the five ways to manage your time:

1. Review the way you spend your time. Examine your schedule closely and you will be able to remove non-essential tasks that could be put on hold or eliminated. In some cases, this could free up almost an hour of your day!

2. Determine your priorities. Try dividing your to-do list into three sections: immediate needs, weekly needs and long-term projects. This way you will not feel overwhelmed and will be able to successfully conquer your tasks.

3. Give little helpers a job. Even small children can help with daily chores such as sorting laundry, picking up toys and putting groceries away.

4. Prepare a "basics" bag. Have a bag set with the basics (baby items, wipes, coloring books, snacks, etc.) and keep it by the door so you are always ready to go.

5. Put items in their proper place. Little ones are quick to throw off their shoes and ditch their gloves when they come home from school. As a result, we can wind up wasting precious time looking for these lost items that can be stuffed under the couch and in the toy bo

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Time Management

working parent

Daycare

The Benefits of Playing Outside

lba-admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 19:41:19 +0000

The Benefits of Playing Outside

lba-admin Mon, 04/16/2018 - 15:41

Now that warmer weather is here, it's time to take your children outside to play! Nature is a powerful teacher and giving your toddlers and preschoolers the opportunity to play outside has many benefits.

Outdoor play is fun and children who are happy are thriving learners. They are naturally glad when they are playing and creating outside because being outside is exciting! Outdoor play involves many different senses. While outdoors, encourage your children to see, hear, smell and touch new things.

Playing outside also stimulates creativity. Rocks, twigs and soil present so many unique opportunities for play. Suggest an activity where your child can build a tower with rocks and sticks or help your child to dig for insects. Time in nature helps children to observe patterns. The natural world is overflowing with patterns. Help your child count the petals on flowers, the veins on a leaf, or the rings on a tree stump. Pattern building is a crucial early childhood development math skill.

In addition, playing in nature also reduces anxiety. Time spent outside helps children to relax and imagine new things. Ask your child to tell you what they see when they look at the clouds. Maybe they see a dinosaur or a ballerina?

Playing outside helps children to also learn to give respect to other living things and improve their communication skills. When studying ants, worms or ladybugs, children can learn that these creatures are very important to our environment. Ask your children, "Do you know what a worm's job is?" Be prepared for funny answers and then use this time as a teaching opportunity.

Lastly, outdoor play increases children’s physical activity. Children who play outside are less likely to be significantly overweight and more likely to be active learners. Even just a few minutes of running outside helps children to feel free and release that stored up energy. An added benefit: after exercise, children will be more likely to sit and listen to the next activity when they have had the opportunity for outside play.

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outdoor play

Childcare

Daycare

Potty Time? Toilet Learning Myths.

lba-admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 19:19:47 +0000

Potty Time? Toilet Learning Myths.

lba-admin Mon, 04/16/2018 - 15:19

1. Children who are potty trained at an earlier age are more successful in school and life.

College applications don’t ask, “At what age did you give up diapers?” Most toddlers are ready to toilet train between the ages of 24 and 36 months. Even if your child is potty trained at eighteen months there’s no guarantee that they’re headed down Ivy League lane. And just because your child isn’t trained until three years old doesn’t mean she’s not going to Harvard. There’s no direct correlation between success in school and life and the age your child learns “to go” on her own. Relax; children don’t go to college in diapers.

2. The smarter the child, the faster they’ll potty train.

Actually, bright, curious children are sometimes so busy exploring the world around them that potty training is not a priority and they may even resist training. A toddler once told me, “If you stop wearing diapers, you have to stop playing to go to the bathroom.” Potty training can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. So with the right encouragement from you, let your toddler move at their own pace and take their time. Sometimes the potty learning process happens almost effortlessly overnight.

When should your child be potty trained? At what age your toddler learns to go to the potty and how quickly they get it is different for every child. Here are some things your child should be able to do and some hints to let you know when they are ready before you start to encourage it:

My child can follow directions easily.
My child can pull clothing and underwear up and down.
My child’s diaper is often dry after nap or for longer periods of time.
My child tells me that their diaper is dirty.
My child knows when they are going in their diaper.
My child is interested in the bathroom.
My child wants to sit on the toilet or potty-chair.
My child is not going through any significant life changes like a new sibling or new house.

3. Good parents potty train their children by age two or earlier.

Potty training isn’t really training at all - it’s potty learning. If you start potty training too early, your child may become frustrated because they are unable to physically do what you want. Your child will go to the potty when they’re ready, not when grandma or even preschool is ready for them to go. Some how, some way, every child eventually “trains themself” and that is the secret.

Here are a few things you should think about before getting started:

I am willing to wash unlimited amounts of laundry. (So, what’s different about that?)
I am prepared with paper towels and cleaning products when my house, furniture, clothes and child need to be cleaned after an accident.
I will say positive, say encouraging things to my child when I really want to scream.
I am ready to stay home for a couple of days to start the process. (A weekend is good start for working parents. Don’t forget to talk to your child’s teacher.)
I am getting ready to have another child and decided I didn’t want to have two in diapers.
I will be patient.
I admit that my child will be potty trained and that “when” it is not a direct correlation of how much money she will earn.

4. Training pants and disposable underwear make potty training easier.

I never used training pants on my children. I just went for the real thing during the day, underwear. Some parents may prefer the plastic pant or disposable underwear for easier cleaning, but I preferred the “dribble down the leg” style for the instant recognition that if you forget to go in the potty, it really feels yucky. If you do go the underwear route, buy lots. I mean at least ten pairs. Whether it’s Frozen underwear, or Barney, the character undergarments really seem to give children a sense of power and self-confidence. It’s worth the investment.

There are lots of products to help make potty training easier - you can decide what is right for you. The one thing I think is a “must have” is a potty-chair that sits on the floor. Children seem to have a greater sense of security without the cold porcelain, giant step up and the circling water below. We give toddlers little spoons, little beds, little cups and little books. Little potties just make sense.

5. When your child is potty training only a couple of accidents should happen.

During potty training, accidents happen. And often it feels like they happen and happen and happen again. Some children have lots of accidents and others only a few. How do you make it to the bathroom in time? Sometimes your child will tell you, “I have to go,” but some how their feet won’t move. Yell, “Hurry to the potty and I’ll count how long it takes you to go.” Now start counting. At least if the accident is in the bathroom it’s easier to clean up than one on the carpet. If your toddler is doing the “pee-pee dance,” unable to talk without wiggling around or folded in some contorted position, they probably have to go. Don’t even ask, “Do you have to go to the bathroom?” You’ll lose too much time. Grab them by the hand, head for the facilities and sing, “Let’s go potty.” Any tune will do.

Create a toileting routine. Make “potty time” part of your everyday schedule, just like brushing teeth or getting ready for a nap. When you find that your toddler’s diaper is dry after a nap, start the routine of heading to the potty as soon as your child wakes up. Your little one will have a better chance of success since they probably need to go. My mother used to run the water in the sink to try to get me to “pee.” It worked, but unfortunately even as an adult, whenever I hear the water running, I head straight for the bathroom.

Whether you use pull-ups, training pants or underwear, have plenty on hand and keep them in the bathroom so your child can change easily after an accident. Also have a place in the bathroom for your child to throw the underwear that just didn’t make it. (Some underwear is just not worth saving. Trust me.) Having your child feel in control even during accidents is the best way for success.

6. No more accidents for children who are really potty trained.

Dr. Kevin Roche of Hunterdon Medical Center says, ”Even months after your child has successfully learned to go to the potty, accidents may occur.“ Remind your child every hour while they are training and continue reminding them until they are in full control. When your little one is tense about things that are happening in their life, a new home or sibling, they may have more accidents. That’s normal. When life smoothes out, so will the accidents. Keep your cool. The last thing you want to do is clean up puddles from your preschooler when you have a new baby in hand. Although, it’s just part of the job.

If your child is having lots of accidents when they start at school, or transitioning classrooms, it may be that they are anxious about the new situation. But it may just be that they just don’t know how to ask to go to the bathroom, is embarrassed to tell the teacher or go around other children. Talk to your child’s teacher.

7. If parents really want to potty train their child, they have to be tough.

On the contrary, nurturing, positive, patient parents foster learning success in any learning situation and this is especially true with toilet training. Try considering each accident a near-success instead of a near miss. Control your frustration when cleaning up each mess and be positive. In a calm voice, explain what happened to your child and then encourage that they do it in the potty next time. You might say, “I see you did pee-pee. That’s great. Next time let’s do your pee-pee in the potty so no one steps in it.” As parents, we see potty messes as definitely worse than “spilled milk.”

Giving a child a reward for going to the potty really works for some children. Try keeping a chart and let your child put on a sticker or smiley face every time they go to the potty. When the stickers add up then treat your child to some special time with you. Play their favorite game or do their favorite activity.

Remember, you’ll get lots of ideas on how to toilet train, but don’t stress. Make it a fun learning and bonding experience with your little one. All too soon you’ll be able to tell your grown child, “I used to change your diapers.”

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Music & How it Benefits Your Child!

lba-admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 18:08:03 +0000

Music & How it Benefits Your Child!

lba-admin Mon, 04/16/2018 - 14:08

There are so many ways that parents can connect with their infants, toddlers and preschoolers, but music is probably one of the most fun and beneficial to your young child's growth and development. Whether it's singing a lullaby at bedtime, passing the time on road trips with silly songs or reminding children to do a simple task like brushing their teeth, music has a positive outcome on children.

Believe it or not, some researchers have found that early musical training benefits children even before they can walk or talk by smiling more, communicating better and easier to soothe when upset. In addition, certain studies show that music stimulates parts of the brain that are related to reading, math and emotional development.

Participating in music at an early age also improves a child's memory, helps children socially by letting them break out of their shell and teaches them discipline. And when you combine dance or movement, children learn how to control their bodies, develop hand-eye coordination and experience a fun way to exercise. Who knew "I'm a Little Tea Pot" was so educational?

There are so many ways you can use music to help your child's development. Here are just a few:

Encourage your child to listen for beats or count them in a song.
Practice clapping or tapping the beats to a favorite song and have your child do the same.
Put on music and dance together.
Have your child walk on tiptoes when you listen to high, quiet music, and stomp his or her feet to louder, slower music.

As you sing and dance together, the music will not only create special memories, but will also help your child develop concentration skills. Have fun!

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Music

Childcare

Daycare

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.

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working parent

Daycare

child care

Understanding the Difference Between Daycare and Educational Child Care

lba-admin — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 12:59:30 +0000

Understanding the Difference Between Daycare and Educational Child Care

lba-admin Fri, 07/28/2017 - 08:59

Understanding the Difference Between Daycare and Educational Child Care

Most people remember the major life changes that occurs when becoming a parent. Even though it’s one of the most special times in their life, with change often comes stress. Every decision regarding a child’s well-being seems to be of paramount importance and none are more stressful than the decisions new parents face when preparing to go back to work.

Should I stay at home longer? What about enrolling my child in a local daycare? Or is an educational child care center the right fit? In order to make this decision, it is important to determine your expectations and understand the difference between daycare and educational child care.

Local Daycare – Mom & Pop
Local daycare centers are often smaller in size and focus on caring for the needs of young children. While some educational activities are included, these programs usually do not have a comprehensive curriculum that progress along with the development of the child. Caregivers are usually employed and educational requirements vary greatly. For parents with shorter work schedules, local daycares offer shorter programs with part day programs but may be limited in extended day programs.

Educational Child Care Centers
Educational child care combines high quality of care along with an early childhood curriculum. These types of centers vary in philosophy and focus. Many have higher educational requirements for lead teachers including CPR and First Aid certifications. For parents with longer work hours, extended programs accommodate their busy schedules and goes above and beyond to provide a higher quality service. With unique programs and curriculums put in place to help children grow and develop, centers focused on educational child care offer parents peace of mind by providing a nurturing environment designed to make both you and your child feel comfortable.

However, the differences between daycare and educational child care don’t end there. Here are a few benefits of the Lightbridge Academy educational child care program that stand out to parents:

Supportive Environment for Parents: Educational child care thinks beyond the needs of children. For example, at Lightbridge Academy, technology is implemented inside the classroom to give parents even more access to their children throughout the day. By using an internet monitoring system and staying connected through an eCommunication app, parents never have to miss a moment—or milestone—while they’re at work.

Trained Early Childhood Educators: Most of the people that choose to work in this field share the same passion for working with children. However, that passion is accompanied by training and certification at educational child care centers. Depending on state requirements, staff may be required to possess a Child Development Associate credential, hold an Associate degree in child development or Bachelor of Arts in education.

Keys to Success: Providing qualified teachers’ with training goes a long way. But the whole child needs to be considered when preparing them for future success and grow into happy, confident, independent, and well-socialized individuals. With this in mind, children are guided through an age appropriate curriculum preparing them for academic success at an early age. In fact, assessments show that 93 percent of Lightbridge Academy’s pre-K students are already functioning at the Kindergarten level. And because educational child care also creates a well-rounded experience for children, learning is always fun.

Positive Culture: Beyond academics, Lightbridge Academy programs are designed to create a happy and supportive environment for everyone that walks through the doors. The Lightbridge Academy’s Circle of Care philosophy places equal weight on the needs of everyone in a child’s life creating a trusted and nurturing environment where families can thrive. That means that your needs as a parent are considered as just as important as those of your child’s!

Choosing the right fit for family is a very personal decision. Hopefully this blog will help provide you with
Some helpful information to make the best child care choice for your family. You are invited to visit a Lightbridge Academy center for more information on our programs and services. Hope to see you soon!

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Daycare

child care

Education