The teachers at our daycare center do their best to create an environment that allows each child to have space to develop healthy social-emotional skills. Here are a few benefits of sending your child to our daycare center: Promote social-emotional development - There’s always an opportunity for your child to socialize with other kids while they are at a daycare center. This constant exposure to other children will help your child develop social skills and teach them how to regulate their emotions. Prepares your child for school - Enrolling your child in our daycare center will prepare them for school because it will get them used to a routine, socializing with peers, and being more independent. Sets your child up for academic success - The teachers at our daycare center will teach your child social-emotional skills, as well as the basics such as colors, days of the week, months of the year, and counting. These skills will help them be more prepared for when they go to kindergarten. Helps build communication skills - Our teachers understand that childcare is more than just watching children, it’s helping them develop their social-emotional skills. Social-emotional skills help children learn to regulate their emotions which helps them build healthy relationships with others. Increases your child’s confidence - Our daycare center strives to create an environment that allows children to develop a sense of independence. The children will be given age-appropriate tasks to complete themselves such as putting their nap blankets away, throwing away trash after meals, and putting on their jackets and shoes. Our childcare services are accessible to anyone who lives in San Jose, Santa Clara, or Sunnyvale, CA. Give our daycare center a call today ! We look forward to hearing from you soon.
When you are sending your child off to day care, it might be a little stressful for you, as you don't want to leave your child with just anybody. This is a huge parenting milestone and may be challenging for any parent. Choosing a day care center that is safe and engaging as well as one that will provide ample amount of learning and play is important. If you want to make sure you are making the best decision for your child, consider the following factors when searching for a day care center. Hours of Operation One of the main things you'll want to look at is the hours of operation. If you choose a day care, will you have enough time in the morning to drop them off and be to work on time? Are they open long enough so you don't have to make alternate arrangements? Choose a day care center that opens early enough so you do not have to rush in the morning, as well as late enough so you are not rushing from work. Location Consider the location of the day care center. Is it close to your house, making morning and evening commutes very convenient? Check for ample parking and good lighting and ensure it is in a safe area. Meals/Snacks It is important that your child has the proper nutrition while in the care of someone else. Does the day care center you are looking at provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks? Do they acknowledge food sensitivities or allergies? Teacher/Student Ratio Each state sets different guidelines for the ratio of teachers to children. These guidelines should not be overlooked as they could cause safety concerns. When the ratio is low, the more attention your child will receive. Also, check if the teachers are trained and certified in first aid and CPR. Program/Curriculum No matter how young your child may be, it's never too early to start them with an age-appropriate learning program. However, you also want there to be an ample amount of play as play is important for your child's growth and development. In your search for day care centers, ask the center how it helps prepare children for school and about the curriculum. We want to establish a good foundation for a lifetime of learning. Cost/Payment Options The cost of the day care center might be a big driving factor whether you choose it or not. Some centers offer automatic payments, so you don't forget and to make it easier for you. Others accept cash or credit card payments. Ask about a discount for having multiple children attend the center.
Creating a schedule to make your child’s daily routine is important to their development. It establishes structure, provides a sense of normalcy, and gives security. Everything from setting wake-up and bedtimes to allotted time for naps, meals, play, and homework all show your child what’s important for them to do each and every day. Below, we have detailed benefits of maintaining structure and how to create a schedule for your child. Keeping Everyone On Routine Running a household is no small task. With everyone going at their own pace when they please, it can be hard to build a tight-knit home. Having your child on schedule helps to keep the household a bit more calm, and it helps your child to develop these habits as they grow. Showing What’s Important With a schedule, your child will soon gain an understanding as to what tasks come first and why scheduled tasks or events are important. This is a skill that, gaining early on, will only continue to help them as they progress in their life. Highlighting healthy habits only reinforces their benefits. Encouraging Confidence & Independence The more that your child follows their routine, the sooner that they will stick to it on their own. When children take on these challenges on their own, they begin to develop confidence and independence at a young age; they will feel good knowing that they didn’t need your help to do something they can do on their own. To start your child on a routine, it’s first important to remember that flexibility is a must. Having too rigid of a structure can take away from spontaneity and creativity, which are also needed in a child’s early development. So, when it comes to starting your child on a schedule, start small by having key routines at the same time, such as waking up, eating, sleeping, etc. Patience will be needed, especially early on. Remember to make time for special events and creative outlets and be open to adjustments if needed. Anna’s Day Care can be a great part of your child’s routine. We have structure within our own day care center, as it is an invaluable part of a child’s development. Give us a call today to learn more about our day care center and child care options.
Positive reinforcement is one of the best gifts you can give to a developing child, and it costs nothing at all. When a child is given positive reinforcement for something good they have done, it not only increases the likelihood of them doing that good deed again, but it builds confidence and allows them to grow and reach their full potential. In this blog post, we will discuss a few ways in which you can effectively provide positive reinforcement to your child and how it will ultimately affect them in a productive manner. When Is It Appropriate To Use Positive Reinforcement? Positive reinforcement can be used in several instances. Whether your child has accomplished something at school, athletically or in any other area, making your child know that you are proud of them and have the utmost confidence in them will in turn allow their confidence to grow and help them take on more and more as they develop. Positive reinforcement can also be used when they do something socially that is acceptable such as being kind to relatives, friends or neighbors. The point of this exercise is to tell them what they are doing is good and right and that they should continue to do that act in the future. Conversely, if your child does something inappropriate, such as lying, you should let them know what they have done is wrong and that they should avoid doing this in the future. What Are A Few Benefits of Positive Reinforcement? As mentioned above, a few benefits of positive reinforcement include the learning of good habits, having good social awareness and always trying to do their very best. By continually applying positive reinforcement when they reach goals, your child’s confidence and self-esteem will continue to grow, they will feel loved and they will hopefully reach their full potential as they mature into adulthood. Can It Be Used After Struggles/Disappointments? Yes, in fact, this is one of the best times to use positive reinforcement. We have all gone through hardships in our lives and it is often the advice or encouragement of a loved one that has helped us get through them. This encouragement or positive reinforcement can help your child try at something again if they have failed or face fears they may have. Using positive reinforcement in these instances is essential for growth and development and can teach your child valuable lessons that they can bring with them as they continue to grow. At Anna's Day Care, we believe in these same principles of positive reinforcement and make sure all of the children that we care for feel encouraged and have a chance to grow as individuals. Should you live in Santa Clara, CA or the surrounding areas and are interested in having your child cared for by our team, we ask that you reach out to us at your earliest convenience; we look forward to hearing from you soon!
This year, COVID-19 brings a whole new meaning to being home for the holidays. With social distancing and quarantines in place, your holiday season is bound to be one that you won’t soon forget. But that doesn’t mean that this year’s magic is lost, especially for your children. There are still many ways that you can help your child enjoy holiday merriment while staying safe and following COVID-19 protocols this season. Crafting Most of us are spending a lot more time at home these days. There’s no better way to make the most of our COVID-19 situation than to get creative together. Your child will not only get to have a blast making awesome crafts, but he or she can also help you decorate your home just in time for the holiday season. We found some great crafts ideas for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa that you can check out by clicking on these links. - https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/christmas-crafts-for-preschoolers-and-toddlers-1250259 - https://handsonaswegrow.com/hanukkah-crafts-kids/ - https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/kwanzaa-crafts Baking Everyone loves sweet treats during the holidays! It’s time to get your hands dirty with your child in the kitchen. Baking is a great way to allow your child to continue learning and practicing how to follow directions, express their creativity, and of course, fill their tummy. Food.com has some awesome, kid friendly recipes that you can try out at https://www.food.com/ideas/holiday-desserts-for-kids-6123#c-10691. Contact Santa If you celebrate Christmas, you and your child may be missing out seeing Santa in person this year. But no worries! The big man himself is still ready to hear your child’s wishes. If your child is eager to talk to Santa, consider having them write a letter or have a Zoom call with him! You can learn how to send Santa a letter at https://about.usps.com/holidaynews/letters-from-santa.htm or how to have a Zoom call with him at https://santa-claus-virtual-visits.com/. Zoom Call Your Family There’s nothing more important than family, and most of us look forward to the holiday season so we can catch up with those closest to us. Unfortunately, COVID-19 may make this difficult this year. If you still want to have your family celebrate the holidays together, even virtually, consider getting everyone together on a Zoom call! You’ll still be able to share holiday memories, laughs, and love, and that’s what really counts. Start a New Tradition This year has been one to remember, and maybe not always for the best reasons. With more time spent at home this year, it’s the perfect opportunity to start a new holiday tradition to make this year special in a positive way. Maybe you decide to start sending holiday cards (or making them together), crafting Christmas tree ornaments, or cooking a special meal from scratch. Whatever you decide, we know that you’ll have a terrific time together!