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5 Steps to Selecting a Daycare

7 Play Based Learning Activities to Do With Your ChildA child is one of the most important members of society. There is no comparison when valuing life. For parents, one of the most difficult situations they are faced with is to entrust their child, whether an infant, toddler, or school aged child, into a stranger’s care. Unfortunately, both parents need to work, or the child comes from a split family, and sacrifices must be made, and daycare becomes essential. Premier Academy understands the sacrifices that parents make for their children and provides premium childcare that is not just babysitting, but, an environment to stimulate the child to learn and explore the world through their own eyes.

Today, the childcare industry is growing and being promoted in many different communities as per demand. It is not all providers, however, that provide the best environment for children. It is essential that the daycare have the experience and education, as well as, credentials to ensure the child’s health, happiness, safety and growth. The foundation of childhood is one of the most important foundations in life. It is essential that the child is properly cared for.Premier Academy makes sure that the fun element, which makes the wonderful world of a child so special, stays, and is reinforced, daily.

Premier Academy offers different packages:

  • Infants’ Growth Package
  • Toddlers’ Care Package
  • Pre-school children care
  • Pre-K children care
  • School age children learning program

It is difficult for parents to accept being away from their child, and put their child in a stranger’s hands. There are many things that must be taken into consideration. Affordable childcare centers in Omaha Nebraska is something that many parents search for. This is not enough. Parent also must seek childcare centers  that are accredited and approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health, State of Nebraska. Centers listed in the DHHS Childcare Roster are the best options for your infant. The DHHS keeps a close eye on the childcare centers on a regular basis with cancelling registration and closing of centers not complying with the DHHS guidelines.

For children, it is essential to have a care giver that is well-trained and loving. The child should be in an environment with children their own age, where the parents can stop in, just to tell the child they love them, at any time throughout the day, and one that is stimulating and educational.

Daycare has to provide a service that supports and cares for the child and offers the parents security that their child is being nurtured, educated and loved. The center should bring out the child’s creativity and self-esteem. The child should receive a quality of life that nurtures his foundation for his academic years ahead. When parents seek daycare for their children, it is essential that they seek a daycare that specializes in services for infant, toddler, preschool, pre-K and school aged children. The daycare is often a place where a child starts young, and grows throughout the years, and you want a daycare that will be there for you throughout the years.

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Has your child gone from Action Packed to Bored?

The Importance of Free & Unstructured Outdoor Play for KidsThere are two words that can send your summer spirit soaring: “I’m bored!” Your child has suddenly gone from an action-packed school year to the carefree days of summer. As much as you are both happy to be done with homework for a while, all of this freedom can be problematic. You want to chill out with some lemonade yet your kids expect you to be the peppy cruise director. But it is possible for everyone to feel the joy of the season, make wonderful memories and be truly happy together. No more saying, “What can we do this summer?”

Provide Structure

Your child’s day needs a beginning, middle and end. This means more work for parents since they have to create the structure kids normally have in school. But it’s key to having a sane summer. First, kids thrive on structure and knowing what comes next. It keeps them feeling secure, avoids crankiness and gives their day purpose.

Second, maintaining some level of structure will help ease your kids back into the school year.

Create a Plan

An easy way to help provide structure is to make sure your kids know the daily plan. Talk briefly before bed about what’s in store the next day or lay it all out in the morning. Remind them (and yourself) that everyone needs to be flexible during the day and that there will also be downtime for the summer.

Make a summer calendar and write in special events, parties and trips so kids have a sense of an extended time-frame.

Set New Bedtimes

Or keep the same ones. Either way you need to have something firm in place. Summer allows you to be a bit flexible but kids still need 9 to 10 hours of sleep. Otherwise you have a cranky, moody kid who won’t even be able to smile on a trip to the amusement park. Yes, it’s ok to let the kids stay up late here and there for a special occasion.

Take a Class

The school year can be so jammed with after-school activities that your kids might have to miss out on a sport or class they really want to partake in. Take advantage of a less-scheduled summer to sign up for that special activity. The woodworking class that fills up so quickly in September probably has more room in July, anyway! Any class or even a morning camp program will provide daily structure, help give them a full experience of summer and expose them to new environments, says Dr. Bartell. Even better? You get some much-deserved time alone.

Go Outdoors

Take advantage of activities and events that are special to summertime. Go swimming, play tennis, enjoy an outdoor family concert or nature hike. Create a backyard obstacle course or treasure hunt. Have the kids help you pull out some overzealous ferns in the garden. Visit the farmers’ market and ask the kids help you choose local foods, then cook a meal together. Talk about the stars and constellations, then let them stay up late one night to study the beautiful night sky. Rainy days will mean more time inside watching movies. But it’s also the chance to go splash in muddy puddles (just go with it and do the laundry later) and hunt for worms.

Make it Memorable

The sun is shining. The breeze is refreshing and your daughter is not mercilessly teasing your son. Life is good. But while you might remember these small moments, the kids probably won’t. Incorporate a couple of memorable activities into your summer. That doesn’t mean you have to buy overpriced tickets to see the Fresh Beat Band or fly to Disneyland. Just think about your child’s specific interests and what would make her day. Sometimes the most impromptu plans makes the biggest impact.

Read!

We all know that reading books is important for kids. But the bond of reading together is what a summer lull can bring. Pull your child onto your lap, or get as physically close as they’ll let you — and read together, Dr. Ludwig suggests. Make the story come alive. Use funny voices. Act things out. Find hidden objects. And start a dialogue about the book. Set aside 20 minutes each day for reading time. Doing this will reinforce to your kids that reading is fun.

Get Creative

Kids depend too much on technology and they need to come up with their own ideas about what to do this summer. Ultimately, spending too much time with TV and the computer is just not satisfying and won’t create a memorable summer. Limit tech time to 3 hours daily. Turn off the technology and see what happens (after the whining stops). Let them use their imaginations to garden in the backyard, design their own t-shirts with fabric paint or plan a family art show.

Hire Help

Don’t feel guilty that you need a break. Summer can makes parents feel like they are on overload with an extra sense of responsibility. Hiring a sitter to come in at least once a week will provide kids with a new energy level and variety to their day. They will seriously look forward to it! Then you get to recharge or just get the shopping done without someone sneaking lots of sugary cereal into the cart. As if you wouldn’t notice…eventually.

Keep Summer Memories

Give your child a camera and let her take photos all school break of things that she feels are super cool. Maybe a Lego tower, a rose bush in full bloom or the neighbor’s dog. Hold back on directing and you’ll be able to see summer through your child’s eyes. Review the photos weekly and talk about all the adventures you had together. Help her create a memory book or online album when the season ends.

Slow Down

Parents don’t feel pressure to start the day in the summer. Begin later and go slower. When there’s no school bus to catch or traffic to beat you don’t need to be dressed and out by 7:45. Stop chasing your son around with his jeans and teach him to put them on himself — in his own time. Cook up pancakes for breakfast instead of grabbing a slice of wheat bread. Savor your coffee, don’t slurp it hurriedly. Unless you have an a.m. activity planned, use the morning to relax. Summer goes by so fast!

We want to hear from you. Set up an appointment today and find out how much your children will love Premier Academy!

Premier Academy Child Enrichment Center, offers childcare in Omaha, Nebraska for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-k children.

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6 Steps to Starting the Camp Search

Gardening With Small ChildrenDid you know that most camp planning takes place in early winter and spring? Just when you were getting over the holiday stress and still bundled in your Snuggie, you need to find the place for your child to get out of the house — um, we mean thrive — this summer with affordable summer programs in Omaha, Nebraska.

If the thought of finding a camp just occurred to you, or you have just been putting off the research because you don’t know how to start, you’re not alone.

The best time to visit camps is during the summer. You get to see what they’re all about and the community of kids who go. So if you didn’t spend last summer touring, you’ll need to rely heavily on websites, camp reviews and discussions with camp staff and alumnae to help find affordable summer programs. Which means you need to know how to navigate sites, narrow down your options and ask the right questions.

1) Make it a Family Affair
Before you surf the Web, think about your child’s favorite activities and interests and start a discussion at an informal family dinner. Talk with him about what new things he has always wanted to learn and what kinds of things get him stressed. He might not answer you then and there but check back in a few days and he’ll probably have an answer that will help start the camp research and find affordable summer programs in Omaha, Nebraska.

2) Talk to Other Parents
Ask friends and family where their kids had wonderful camp experiences. But ask the right questions to weed through all the glowing reviews.

Talk about circumstances that concern you. Has your child ever been bullied and how did the camp handle it? If my daughter is shy or overweight, how will he be treated by other kids? What if my son is not the greatest athlete — will he have fun at the camp?

3) Search Online
Make a date to sit down at the computer with your child and research camps together. This needs to be a family decision. You’re sending your child to camp, but it has to be the child who wants to go. Keep a positive attitude and be enthusiastic about the process. With encouragement, even a reluctant child will channel your excitement. If you’re nervous, your child will be, too.

Get an idea of what he wants from a camp. Is it an overnight experience? A day camp focused on perfecting a skill or sport? A local religious program? Or a well-rounded place to do a bunch of different things? There are so many options. Start Googling your ideas like “best soccer camp in Kansas” as a jumping off point. Or use Care.com’s Camps site to find options based on zip codes and reviews.

4) Consider the Summer Goals
Just because your niece flourished at an adventure camp doesn’t mean your daughter will do the same. It’s critical to match the environment to your child and find affordable summer programs.

Camps’ websites often have videos that allow you to get a sense of the relationships campers form and the flow of the days. Does it look like your child will fit in? Does the camp appear to be rustic or more pampered? Ask your daughter about her goals for camp. Maybe she wants to develop her sense of leadership and explore nature or maybe she wants to be able to draw and paint all day without breaking a sweat.

5) Talk to the Director
The director is the person who should have all your camp answers. And you should be loaded with questions. A few things you want to know: Where most campers are from/go to school; dynamics of the kids in each age group; the kind of child who is most successful in that camp environment; the return rate. You don’t want to send your child to an environment that just replicates her school. A good sign: If campers flock back year after year, it says something positive about how the camp is run.

6) Make a Short List
When you look at too many camps, it’s overwhelming and it’s easy to get frazzled. Tipograph suggests narrowing down your list to three distinctly-different camps. If your son’s goal is to stay local and work on his backhand, consider: a day camp with a traditional setting that offers tennis as an elective; a day camp that focuses on multiple sports and not just tennis so he won’t burn out; and a tennis-only camp. Once you have everything narrowed down, you need to meet as a family once again and review the choices.

We want to hear from you. Set up an appointment today to find affordable summer programs in Omaha, Nebraska & how much your children will love Premier Academy!

Premier Academy Child Enrichment Center offers childcare in Omaha, Nebraska for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-k children.

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Summer Fun for Kids!

Finding the Right Parenting StyleFamily vacations are great for bonding with loved ones as you get away from your normal routines. But a family vacation can sometimes feel like no vacation at all for parents chasing after kids. Parents need time to themselves, and not just for romance, but to relax, reconnect and revisit what brought them together.

The kids, too, often need a break — time without the watchful worrying eyes of parents, time to be kids and time to be with other kids. Even if it’s for just a few hours while you and your partner go out dinner, you’ll all appreciate the time apart and keeping summer fun for kids.

1) Choose a Hotel with Babysitting Services
Lots of hotels and resorts offer access to babysitters, day care and kids clubs. When you’re traveling with little ones research the babysitting services offered through the resort. The extra time it gives you as a couple will more than make up for the extra time you spend researching.

Even if you’re only leaving your kids for an hour or two, keep safety in mind. Ask the hotel where they find the sitters, how they interview them and if they run background and reference checks. Do they watch the kids in your room, a child care facility or other spot in the hotel? Interview the actual babysitter yourself and take a look at the facilities to confirm they are clean and safe.

2) Take a Kid-Friendly Cruise
Like hotels, most cruise ships offer child care or supervised activities for children. With the kids safe and nearby, parents can get some worry-free alone time. Mulholland is a fan of the Disney Cruise Line, which offers lots of options for young kids, teens and tweens. Since some cruises have minimum traveling ages, make sure your little ones are old enough to hop aboard with extra summer fun for kids.

3) Use a daycare service
If your hotel doesn’t offer a service or you prefer to do the vetting yourself, find a daycare provider like Premier Academy.

4) Reserve a Room with a View — and a Veranda
Not all families can afford a resort, however, and not all parents can afford or are comfortable turning over responsibility to strangers. Book a hotel room with a balcony, so you and your spouse can take a bottle of wine out to the ‘veranda’ once the kids are asleep. This is an inexpensive and easy option for getting at least a little alone time while vacationing with children.

5) Book a Suite, Adjoining Rooms, a Condo or a House
When the kids are old enough to be in their own room, book a suite, condo or house swap — anything that keeps you in the same space, but gives the parents a separate room (with a door that locks) and gives the kids their own space (with a TV to keep them engaged). You’ll be able to watch over your kids, but still enjoy some privacy all the while providing summer fun for kids.

6) Plan a Multigenerational Vacation 
Make this a real family vacation and bring grandma and grandpa along. 40 percent of families have gone on a multigenerational vacation. In an era where many grandparents live in different cities, states or time zones than their grandchildren, a trip can forge bonds far stronger than a simple holiday visit to grandma’s house. Plus, grandparents make great babysitters.

7) Look for the “All-Inclusive” Option
Family camps have gone beyond cabins in the Catskills or dude ranches of the sort often made fun of on sitcoms. Many theme parks and camps have baby care centers and babysitting services. They also offer lots of options for family fun — including kids-only activities and entertainment.

With these tips, you can have the perfect vacation, complete with ample family time and just enough “alone time” with your partner to remind you both how much you enjoy one another’s company.

We want to hear from you. Set up an appointment today and see how much your children will love Premier Academy!

Premier Academy Child Enrichment Center, offers childcare in Omaha, Nebraska for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-k children.

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Best Summer Camp!

Helping Children Make FriendsDid you know that most camp planning takes place in early winter and spring? Just when you were getting over the holiday stress and still bundled in your Snuggie, you need to find the place for your child to get out of the house — um, we mean thrive — this summer.

If the thought of finding a camp just occurred to you, or you have just been putting off the research because you don’t know how to start, you’re not alone. Premier Academy has helpful tips to finding the best summer camp in Omaha, Nebraska.

The best time to visit camps is before the summer. You get to see what they’re all about and the community of kids who go,a youth and summer expert/consultant and founder of Everything Summer. So if you didn’t spend last summer touring, you’ll need to rely heavily on websites, camp reviews and discussions with camp staff and alumnae. Which means you need to know how to navigate sites, narrow down your options and ask the right questions for finding the best summer camp. And we’re here to help.

  1. Make it a Family Affair
    Before you surf the Web, think about your child’s favorite activities and interests and start a discussion at an informal family dinner. Talk with him about what new things he has always wanted to learn and what kinds of things get him stressed. He might not answer you then and there but check back in a few days and he’ll probably have an answer that will help start research for the best summer camp.
  2. Talk to Other Parents
    Ask friends and family where their kids had wonderful camp experiences. But ask the right questions to weed through all the glowing reviews. “Pose specific situations and parents will be honest,” says Tipograph.Talk about circumstances that concern you. Has your child ever been bullied and how did the camp handle it? If my daughter is shy or overweight, how will he be treated by other kids? What if my son is not the greatest athlete — will he have fun at the camp?
  3. Search Online
    Make a date to sit down at the computer with your child and research camps together. Keep a positive attitude and be enthusiastic about the process. With encouragement, even a reluctant child will channel your excitement. If you’re nervous, your child will be, too.
  4. Consider the Summer Goals
    Just because your niece flourished at an adventure camp doesn’t mean your daughter will do the same.Camps’ websites often have videos that allow you to get a sense of the relationships campers form and the flow of the days. Does it look like your child will fit in? Does the camp appear to be rustic or more pampered? Ask your daughter about her goals for camp. Maybe she wants to develop her sense of leadership and explore nature or maybe she wants to be able to draw and paint all day without breaking a sweat about finding the best summer camp.
  1. Talk to the Director
    The director is the person who should have all your camp answers. And you should be loaded with questions. A few things you want to know: Where most campers are from/go to school; dynamics of the kids in each age group; the kind of child who is most successful in that camp environment; the return rate. You don’t want to send your child to an environment that just replicates her school, states Tipograph. A good sign: If campers flock back year after year, it says something positive about how the camp is run.
  2. Make a Short List
    When you look at too many camps, it’s overwhelming and it’s easy to get frazzled. Tipograph suggests narrowing down your list to three distinctly-different camps. If your son’s goal is to stay local and work on his backhand, consider: a day camp with a traditional setting that offers tennis as an elective; a day camp that focuses on multiple sports and not just tennis so he won’t burn out; and a tennis-only camp. Once you have everything narrowed down, you need to meet as a family once again and review the choices.

We want to hear from you. Set up an appointment today and see how much your children will love Premier Academy!

Premier Academy Child Enrichment Center offers childcare in Omaha, Nebraska for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-k children.

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What to do this summer!

Family Fun Time: Things to Do With KidsRemember when you were a kid and summer seemed endless — in a good way?

Funny how things change. Now it’s just a matter of time before your kids start saying, “I’m bored,” to you. This summer, get ready to banish that phrase from their vocabulary with this list of free or low-cost summer activity ideas. Your children will no longer ask, “What can we do this summer?”

  1. Go to the Library
    Most libraries around the country offer free summer reading programs that encourage kids of all ages to read, and they often host other activities like, parties, music and puppet shows. Check out libraries in neighboring towns too — they might offer something your regular branch doesn’t. Visit PublicLibraries.com to find local libraries for things to do this summer in Omaha.
  2. Tour a Local Business
    You may not have to look further than your favorite pizzeria to find an afternoon activity. Local restaurants are often open to giving kids a behind-the-scenes look at a working kitchen during slow times if you stay for lunch. Or, do you have an interesting factory (candy? toys?) in your area? Many factories offer tours, which can come with freebies to take home.
  3. Seek Out Free Art and Culture
    Some museums and cultural institutions, like botanical gardens, children’s museums, zoos, aquariums and observatories, are always free. Those we love! But even the ones that charge admission often offer free or reduced-rate days or hours weekly or monthly. Grab a calendar and map out those times so you’ll know instantly on a rainy Tuesday where to find refuge.  While you’re at it, check their calendars for special summer activities — many offer classes, concerts and tours just for kids.
  4. Check Out Chain Stores
    Scores of national retailers are now offering free or inexpensive children’s activities or classes. (Note: We love this trend, but be careful not to overspend at the store while you’re waiting for the kids to finish.)

    • IKEA has supervised playrooms for potty-trained kids. Just drop and shop. Sounds dreamy.
    • Home Depot and Lowe’s run free weekend project workshops for kids (ages 5-12 for Home Depot). You needed new bookshelves, right?
    • Crafts stores, such as Michaels, hold free project demos t that will keep creative kids happy, ages are craft-specific but can start at 3.
    • For the budding tech-engineer, Apple stores run free 3-day Apple Camps where kids ages 8-12 learn how to make films.
    • And the list goes on. Whole Foods and other grocery stores offer cooking classes, bookstores like Barnes & Noble offer free storytime. Check with stores in your area to see what they have planned.
  5. Visit a Farm
    Whether they’re petting animals or picking fruit, kids love farms. Check with farms in your area to see if they offer tours, activities or are open to a few hours of help with real farm chores from your pint-size volunteers. This is a fun for all asking what to do this summer in Omaha.
  6. Volunteer to Help
    While the kids are in the volunteering mood, look for places in your community that could use their help. Whether it’s cleaning up a local park, walking dogs at an animal shelter or visiting residents at a nursing home, summer is a great time to introduce children to the joys of giving back. Search for opportunities in your area at Volunteer Match, 1800Volunteer or Volunteer.gov.
  7. Catch a Movie
    During the dog days of summer, sometimes you just need to escape to somewhere — anywhere — with great air-conditioning. Luckily, several movie theater chains open their screens to little ones for little prices during summer months. Regal Cinemas’ Summer Movie Express is offering $1 movies on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings this summer, and Cinemark is showing kids’ flicks for as little as 50 cents as part of their Summer Movie Clubhouse. Check theaters in your area for similar deals.
  8. Take a Hike
    The great outdoors is always open and waiting for little explorers. Make hikes at nature reserves and parks in your area even more fun with REI’s free Kids’ Adventure Journal, where young hikers (ages 6-12) can log notes and draw pictures about their experiences.

We want to hear from you. Set up an appointment today and see how much your children will love Premier Academy!

Premier Academy Child Enrichment Center offers childcare in Omaha, Nebraska for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-k children.

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5 Health Benefits of Playing Outside

How to Find the Right Bike for Your ChildThere are many reasons kids should play outside, from expressing creativity to running freely to making messes without worrying about dirtying the house. In addition to these fun reasons, there are also many health benefits that make outdoor play great for children.

  1. Improves Vision
    Children who spend time outside have better distance vision than those who primarily play indoors.
  2. Promotes Social Skills
    Getting kids outside and having unstructured play promotes a wide range of skills. On a playground not everyone gets to go down the slide first. Going to a playground with your kids is not just about running around and being active, but it’s also about learning social skills, executive functions and behavioral skills as well through play.
  3. Increases Attention Span
    All children have a different attention span. Green outdoor settings appear to reduce ADHD symptoms in children. Exposure to natural settings through after-school and weekend activities may be widely effective in reducing attention deficit symptoms in children.
  4. Reduces Stress
    When it comes to stress, spending time outside playing is such a huge outlet for stress. It’s relaxing; it is healing. There is even research showing that seeing green spaces can help decrease kids’ stress levels.
  5. Provides Vitamin D 
    According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, lots of kids are suffering from vitamin D deficiencies. This vitamin has several health benefits, including preventing kids from future bone problems, diabetes and even heart disease.Vitamin D can be received by supplement, but you can also get it through its free and natural version: sunlight. Have your kids play outside for a few minutes without sun screen (which blocks cancer-causing rays, but also vitamin D). Then slather on the lotion. Of course, if your child burns easily, use the sunscreen and increase the vitamin D-heavy foods and supplements.

We want to hear from you. Set up an appointment today and see how much your children will love Premier Academy!

Premier Academy Child Enrichment Center offers childcare in Omaha, Nebraska for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-k children.

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18 Questions to Get Kids to Talk About Their Day

Teaching Healthy Eating Habits and Positive Body ImageGetting your child to talk about their day can be challenging. But it’s important to talk with your kids about their day, every day, to stay connected and offer encouragement.

Parents often ask questions kids can answer with a word or two. Asking questions that begin with who, what, when, where, why and how isn’t just a good journalism tool. When you ask questions that begin with the five Ws and one H, you encourage more than a yes or no response from your child.

  1. What Was the Best Part of Your Day?
    This question is asked around dinner tables everywhere on a daily basis. Don’t drill kids about their day. The easiest way to get kids to open up about their day is to talk about your day with your spouse or partner when kids can hear you. By listening to you share details of your day; kids will learn how to share their own favorite events.
  2. Who Did You Talk With at Lunch Today?
    Your child may sit at the same lunch table at school every day, but may not always engage in conversations with the same friends. Kids often discuss the day’s happenings at lunch. Asking who your child talked with encourages conversation about the day.
  3. Are They Still Serving Slop for Lunch
    Instead of asking your child what he had for lunch, ask a funny question. It will make your child laugh, but also encourage him to talk about school.
  4. Where Did You Play After School?
    Asking where your child played opens up the topic of what your child was doing after school, who they played with and what they did.
  5. What Was Your Favorite Toy Today?
    Play is a big part of a young child’s day. Asking your child about his favorite toy will help him talk about who he played with and what they did together.
  6. How is Emma?
    Asking about a specific friend. Your child’s day is a huge piece of time in their life.  This helps your child narrow the day down to smaller chunks of time.
  7. How Did You Like That Book?
    What was your favorite part of the book? Who was your favorite character in the book? Asking your child about a book they brought home from the library or read during school will encourage them to talk what they liked and disliked about the book.
  8. What Did Your Best Friend Bring for Lunch Today?
    Did you want to switch lunches with her? Talking about lunch will encourage your child to offer suggestions for future lunches.
  9. What Was Your Favorite Class Today? Why?
    This is a good way to get your child to talk about a specific class. By asking both what and why, your child will reveal more details.
  10. What Was Your Biggest Challenge Today? How Did You Resolve It?
    Again, asking two questions opens the door to more conversation about the subject than just asking one question.

By asking more specific questions and using the five Ws and one H, your child will be more likely to share details of his day at school or day care. By opening up about your own day at work, you serve as your child’s role model.

We want to hear from you. Set up an appointment today and see how much your children will love Premier Academy!

Premier Academy Child Enrichment Center offers childcare in Omaha, Nebraska for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-k children.

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10 Tricks to Fix a Picky Eater

How to Deal with Picky EatersWe’ve all been there. And many of us still are. No matter how many times we swore (to ourselves and everyone around us) that our kids will be different, that our kids will eat everything, the inevitable happened. We raised picky eaters. Gone are the fantasies of eating family meals of chicken salad and thai curry. Now we get excited if they eat a bite of broccoli alongside a cheesy bowl of macaroni. Chicken nuggets are their own food group, along with buttered pasta and fish.

  1. Follow the French
    The French believe it is as important to teach your child to eat as it is to teach them to read. French mothers introduce an incredibly diverse range of food to their infants and French children learn to eat a broad range of healthy foods before the inevitable ‘picky eater’ phase.
  2. Get Creative
    Let them sprinkle something on top like sesame seeds or even change how they’re eating by offering chopsticks.
  3. Stick with Small Portions
    Children have small stomachs, and may feel overwhelmed by large portions on a plate. Keep portions small, especially when it comes to introducing new foods. If they like it, they’ll ask for more, which also gives children a feeling of control.
  4. Eat with Others
    A little positive peer pressure goes a long way. At home and at childcare, children encourage each other to taste new things. The more kids see others eating a variety of foods the more apt they are to trying them.
  5. Grow Your Own 
    Want kids to eat veggies? Start an edible garden. Green beans straight off the vine in the morning on the way to school. Kids  feel so empowered knowing they’re helping to grow food and it’s gratifying when they get to eat it.
  6. Meet the Beet
    When a child says ‘I don’t like that food’, they often mean ‘I don’t know it’. To take the mystery out of a new food, let your child get to know it a little better. Show your child a raw beet and then let them touch it and smell it. Cut it open, and let them look at the intense color.
  7. Forgo the Kids’ Menu
    Next time you’re out to eat, resist the temptation to order off the kids’ menu, which are generally an abyss of reheated frozen foods. Ask if you could order a regular item as a half portion for kids. Many restaurants are happy to do this.
  8. Keep Snacks to a Minimum and Keep them Nutritious
    If your child is munching all day long, it’s no wonder they aren’t hungry come mealtime. Plus, they always know something crunchier, sweeter and more exciting is just a few hours away. To bring your child back to the table, limit snacks to one or two times a day. Offer kids raw veggies, fruit, rice cakes, cheese or nuts to give them energy after school or before dinner.
  9. Resist the Bribery Temptation
    Sure, it will get you through the meal, but bribing your kids to eat x in order to get y will only cause problems down the road. Food is not a bribe, a reward, a punishment, a distraction, or a substitute for discipline.
  10. Relax
    Perhaps the hardest tip of them all, the best thing you can do when dealing with a picky eater is to relax and be calm. The goal is not to control what children eat, but to teach them how to eat well.

We want to hear from you. Set up an appointment today and see how much your children will love Premier Academy!

Premier Academy Child Enrichment Center offers childcare in Omaha, Nebraska for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-k children.

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Day Care Safety

Is Your Child Ready for Preschool?There are many factors to consider when searching for a daycare for your child. Safety should always be at the top of your list. There are safety standards for things like licensing, child proofing, staff-to-child ratios, indoor and outdoor spaces, staff behavior, behavior policies, etc.

While checking off the items on this list doesn’t guarantee a center is safe, it can help point you in the right direction.

  1. Licensing Standards are Met
    The daycare should be licensed, with the paperwork prominently displayed. Verify that the center is licensed and when it’s up for re-inspection.
  2. Spaces are Childproofed
    Looking for these childproof must-haves:
    Window blind pull strings are looped up out of reach and fastened with anchors
    b.    Cribs are placed out of reach of windows and window blinds
    c.    Outlet covers are in firmly place
    d.    Stairs are blocked off by stair gates
    e.    Changing tables and high chairs have straps which are used to secure the child
    f.    Toys are clean and in good condition
  3. Policies Are in Writing
    You should be aware of the important standard procedures involving things like medication, discipline, cleaning, infection control, sick policies and proper sanitation guidelines. They should all be written down and provided to every family so that parents and staff know what is allowed and what to expect.
  4. Staff is Trained in First Aid and CPR
    For the safety of the children, and because accidents can and do happen, at least one member of the staff should be trained in pediatric CPR and first aid.
  5. Healthy and Safe Behaviors Are Practiced
    You should get an overall feeling that the daycare is a healthy and safe place. You should notice staff and children washing hands frequently, surfaces being cleaned regularly and babies being put to sleep on their backs. These practices can prevent germs from spreading and keep the children and staff safe and healthy.
  6. Caregiver-to-Child Ratios
    There should be adequate caregiver-to-child ratios in the room to allow for an appropriate level of supervision.
  7. Open-door Policy
    Be wary of a center that does not encourage parents to observe — before or after enrolling — and ask questions. Parents should feel comfortable asking any questions they have of the program director or staff to be sure that the program is a good fit for their child and family. Ask the director of the program about their philosophy on discipline and be sure that the staff uses positive discipline techniques with the children. And finally, parents should take the time to observe and visit the classrooms long enough to get a sense of how staff interact with the children and with each other.

We want to hear from you. Set up an appointment today and see how much your children will love Premier Academy!

Premier Academy Child Enrichment Center offers childcare in Omaha, Nebraska for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-k children.

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