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Parents want the best for their children therefore for most new parents; the decision of who should care for their children is difficult and stressful. There are 2 viable options for parents and they are daycare or getting a live-in nanny. While getting a live-in childcare provider sounds like a good option, it has its pros and cons. Having a live in nanny may have some benefits such as it can be structured around parents schedule, however, children miss out on interacting with their peers and it is much costlier. In most cases, professional and well-established day care is the best option for childcare. Both options have their benefits, but it is very crucial to find a childcare place in which you are comfortable and where your kid will thrive.

Benefits of daycare programs

Daycare helps build social skills that can help your kid in school and throughout his or her life. It is also cost-effective. Here are some important things to consider when looking for good childcare.

Help build social skills

Daycare offers the benefit of socialization where children can learn and grow with other kids. Children develop good social skills through daily interactions and experiences with other kids in the daycare center. Kids are encouraged to socialize and interact with other children their age, which also helps them in developing their confidence.

Accreditations and provincial regulations

Daycare must adhere to provincial regulations regarding staffing, sanitization, space issues and safety. Ask about the center’s most recent provincial license and how long they have been running their centre?

Books, toys, and resources

Many daycare centers are equipped with a wide range of books, toys, play and game equipments. Daycare offers chances for creative play with art supply, dress-up outfits, building blocks and educational games. Most daycare centers also bring in people for extra activities like yoga and music. These items are included in your monthly or annual fee; hence you do not have to pay extra for the supplies.

Cost

The cost associated with sending your child to a daycare is more affordable that getting a live-in childcare provided or a nanny. The fee varies based on the type and location of the facility. Since the day care provides materials and has activities planned for your child which are covered by the daycare fees, you save money that would have to be spent to plan activities for your child if you were to keep the child at home with a nanny.  With new funding available daycare has become more affordable recently

Multiple teachers

Most daycare centers have great teachers who have been working with children for many years. These teachers are required to have adequate qualification and training in child development field. A team of teachers will supervise kids and create a relationship with more than one person.

When searching for a daycare for your child, there are a few things that can help you ascertain if it is the right fit for you and your child. Below are some things every great daycare has:

• A caring, encouraging environment with happy children
• Stellar reviews
• Visually stimulating and appealing environment
• An exciting and varied curriculum or schedule
• Qualified caregivers who really care
• Safety
• Low kid-to-caregiver ratio and low employee turnover
• Licensed establishment
• Established policies and consistent rules

Field trips are an opportunity for a recreational, educational and hands-on enriching experience for growing children. Various different types of field trips provides a whole range of experiences, whether it is a theme-related field trip associated with subjects followed in daycare, an educational field trip showing kids how the real world operates, a personal field trip to a familiar business or person’s home, or just a fun-filled field trip to a kid’s favorite place, there are number of good reasons to go on a daycare field trip.

Field trip benefits

There are several benefits of daycare organized field trips:

• Hands-on learning
• Enriching cultural experiences
• Opportunity to establish life skill and interpersonal skills discussed in daycare
• A chance to use information learned in daycare
• An improved motivation for learning
• Learn about different subjects like literature, science, sports, and arts
• Fun while learning
• Interact as a group in a different environment, creating daycare bonding experience
• Explore the rich resources of the community
• Healthy physical activity

Field trip planning by good daycares

Meaningful field trips are planned beforehand with feedbacks from children, parents and staff.  Once a place is decided, the daycare staff discusses the upcoming trip with children and parents. They also discuss how they should conduct themselves in a social or public environment, safe conduct, importance of staying as a group, good manners, what to do in case of an emergency. Involving children in the planning process keeps them excited and helps them in becoming more responsible, lessons that are beneficial in real life.

Types of Field trips

There is a variety of field trips that are organized and here are some examples:

Local library

Organizing a visit to the local library, showing children how the system works can go a long way in developing enjoyable reading habits in children and get them excited about reading. By attending free movie day, story hour and sometimes library staff visits the daycare for in-house field trips. This promotes reading habits from an early age.

Museum

A tour to a museum is always an incredibly good educational field trip. Some museums provide opportunity for hands on experience where kids can touch, push, and turn buttons and handles are most popular. Most popular among children are planetariums, science museums etc. This gets them more involved and interested in science in general.

Yoga

Some daycares organize regular in-house Yoga field trips with certified Yoga instructor. This helps children to develop self control, breathing techniques, relaxation and stretching.

Supermarket

Field trips to grocery stores or a local business may also be interesting for children. Children can get some ideas how business are run including selling, purchasing and handling of cash.

Walk in the neighborhood

Going for a walk with the daycare children is not only good for health, by getting the kids some physical activity but also promotes and enhances observation skills, which they engage in while on the walk. Discussions on nature, plants and trees help children in learning about their surroundings and environment. This is also the most frequently organized field trip

Find a childcare that plans educational field trips for children for children throughout the year. These field trips can go a long way in promoting a lot of skills in kids such as learning to work together in a group, following rules laid out by their childcare providers, observational skills and other skills that can help them in daily life.

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A good afterschool program can make after school hours into productive learning time. That is a huge benefit for children with social skills and keeping focus. Below are some things to consider in a high-quality afterschool daycare program can do for your children.

Build confidence

For children with who have difficulty keeping focus OSC program provide more accommodating than the school does. As a result they might be more willing to attempt new things and take more risks. This, in turn, may lead to high self-regard.

Making learning more fun

Many afterschool programs make learning more fun using unconventional techniques and innovation. They also take into account the interests of the children in particular subject.

Provide safety and supervision

Daycare provides safe and nurturing environment to children when their parents are working that helps keeping children from engaging in risky behaviors

Create a sense of belonging

Children get to know other children who are not their classmates and interact in more informal settings that mean they do not have wider social circle. They are supervised by trained professional other than their teachers giving them opportunity to be more creative.

Improve social skills

A good after school program encourages respect, cooperation, and support. This can make children feel more secure in joining a game or beginning a conversation. And when they slip up, a friendly staff member is available to redirect them to subject.

With so many options, how is a parent going to decide the appropriate program? These essential qualities can guide your decision and ensure your kid’s success:

• A positive emotional climate
• Proper supervision
• Continuity with the routine school day
• Low kid-to-staff ratio
• A clear program structures
• Activities that enhance autonomy and choice

For the best daycare in Edmonton, contact Strathcona Tender Loving Center.

Finding the appropriate daycare for your kid may be like finding a right partner. All daycares claim that they are best option that you have through various advertisements; However, more often than not they are unable to deliver on their promise. Parents may like to consider the following important points when choosing a daycare for your loved ones.

Established ground rules

The daycare should have well set regulations including operating hours as well as to how to manage emergencies. The center should be able to offer you a written copy of its policies. It may be important for you that the daycare center offers some sort of flexibility in regards to drop off and pick up times. The centre should take their responsibilities seriously and have the safety and well being of your children as their highest priority. Inquire about their sickness policies as well. A good center implements the policies that help reduces illness by encouraging all children and staff to have present immunization and regular health. Very importantly, the centre should have open door policy with reasonable accommodation. A good daycare center will always welcome you to become part of the center’s community by assisting in activities as well as accompanying kids on the field trips. Inclusivity also helps children to develop a personality that is more comfortable in surroundings that may be outside their comfort zone.

Stimulating curriculum

Established day care centers have organized schedule that includes enough time for physical activities, quiet time, including daily reading time for individuals and groups, individual exercises, group programs, snacks, meals and free time. Screen time should be limited and if and when visual devices are used then the centre should ensure that it is age appropriate with some educational aspect including discussion before or/and after the screening of such programs.  A well-planned curriculum encourages your child’s development and makes daily life more fun. Find a center with a wide variety of age-appropriate toys that will stimulate your kid’s growth and as he or she get older, encourage creative and imaginative play.

Healthy food

Healthy and nutritious food is one of the most important aspects of development of children. The food should not only be healthy but it should also be delicious for children to enjoy helping children to develop sound eating habits later in life. The centre should also be mindful of food allergies and diet restrictions

The following are some of the crucial questions to ask any childcare provider before you enroll your kid

• Can I bring outside food for my kid?
• Are you licensed?
• What do you offer for meals, snacks, and drinks?
• How do you discipline misconduct?
• Can I drop at any time to observe the class?
• How often do children play outside?
• Do you have insurance for an accident?
• What is the ratio of caregiver to the child?

A good day care can help in shaping your child’s habits as they spend a lot of time there. Choose a daycare that best fits your needs and covers all the aspects of a good daycare center.