Taking the Scare out of Daycare—For Parents
Daycare can be scary. And we’re not talking about separation anxiety that children sometimes face—oftentimes, children adjust to daycare much easier than their parents! After you’ve cared for your child at every step and been there for every smile and tear, the prospect of leaving them for even a moment is scary. However, daycare can be an overwhelming positive experience for your child, and many of the concerns that parents have about daycare are not problems at quality facilities. Many parents share the same concerns about daycare facilities, and we are happy to report that, at Heaven’s Elect, there’s no need to fear!
It Just Isn’t Clean!
With children sharing toys, sharing classrooms, and sharing teachers, they are bound to also share germs. While more children does mean more germs, it also means much more cleaning. Daycare teachers want to prevent the spread of illness as much as you do and that is why we clean and sanitize every surface, every toy, every pen, pencil, marker and every hand as often as possible. This means germs are eradicated between every playtime, naptime, snacktime, after kids go home and before school starts again in the morning. Quality daycare facilities are exceptionally clean and teachers take great care to keep them that way.
What if My Child is Bullied?
If your child is especially quiet, shy, small, or passive, you may fear they will be bullied. Whenever children play together, there will inevitably be disputes, but daycare teachers monitor kids constantly to ensure that these disputes are resolved in a positive way. Children that may be prone to being bullied—and those that may become bullies—are watched especially carefully, so teachers can intervene immediately. When children learn to confidently resolve disputes during their formative years, they are less likely to be bullied, become bullies and passively allow bullying later in life.
If Something Happens, I Won’t Be There.
It’s a parent’s job to think about and plan for the worst-case scenario. But when it comes to your child’s safety, there is no better place for them than daycare. With constant adult supervision and systematic safety procedures for every eventuality, there is nothing that could happen that daycare teachers won’t see, nor anything that will catch us off-guard. Daycare teachers are trained to address illnesses, injuries and accidents quickly and without panic. With multiple phone numbers and ways to reach you close at hand, you will be notified immediately.
Sending your child to daycare does not have to be scary. Take a look at our post on Getting the Most Out of Daycare to see other ways you can get to know your child’s daycare facility. If you have questions, we are happy to put your mind at ease. Contact us and we can give you more information about Heaven’s Elect, and answer any questions you may have.
5 Tips to Get the Most Out of your Daycare
Your child will spend hours a day at their daycare center and this experience can enrich their lives and help them grow. By taking a few simple steps, you can give your child a supportive platform to start an enriching daycare experience. This will not only help them prepare for school but it will also help them build independence, forge long-lasting friendships, strengthen their confidence, and give them invaluable social skills.
Choose Carefully
Just as you take great care in selecting your child’s school, it is equally important to research daycare options. Look for daycare that emphasizes values that you agree with, age-appropriate education, socializing and playtime, and personal care. This not only ensures that your child is in a positive, constructive environment, but also ensures they will receive the attention they need and deserve.
Get to Know the Teachers
Your child’s daycare teacher is a very important person in their life. The daycare teacher is not only responsible for your child’s health and wellness, but also for nurturing their minds and soul. Spend a few minutes before or after school or during extracurricular functions to talk with your child’s daycare teacher. This will help them to get to know your child better and recognize any help or extra attention they may require.
Get to Know Other Parents
Children in daycare tend to come from similar neighborhoods and will probably attend the same schools later. This means the other children your son or daughter interacts with may become their dear friends. The best way to get to know the other children is to get to know other parents. Talk to other parents and arrange playdates between children to get more familiar with your child’s new friends.
Don’t Rush
Pick-up and drop-off times are a great opportunity to socialize with teachers and other parents. Arriving early to pick up and drop off will not only give you plenty of time to see your child off, but will also allow you to talk with teachers and other parents. If your child is struggling, having great success, making new friends, or showing new skills or talents, this is a great time to find out.
Something to Rely On
If your child is suffering from separation anxiety, give them something familiar to make the separation less jarring. A blanket, toy or stuffed animal might do the trick, and packing their favorite snacks will turn daycare into a treat instead of a challenge.
Call or visit Heaven’s Elect to learn more about our daycare center and find out if this is the right choice for your son or daughter. Whatever daycare center you choose, make sure your child has a positive experience and don’t forget to ask them what they think too!
5 Essential Skills Children Learn at Daycare
Bringing your child to daycare is difficult no matter what age they are. Children that are new to daycare or who are particularly attached to parents may have a hard time adjusting, though these children may also benefit the most from daycare. While leaving children is hard, a quality daycare center offers benefits to parents and children beyond the opportunity for both parents to work. Dual incomes and careers provide a big advantage, however children will also develop essential social skills, friendships, knowledge, and independence that will continue to serve them as they grow.
Social skills
Daycare offers children of all ages an opportunity to interact with peers who are not their siblings or family, often for the very first time. Without parents to guide them through the interaction—though with adult supervision to ensure the children get along—kids learn how to play, share, and learn together on their own, much like how they will be expected to do in school.
Friendships
The other kids that your child meets in daycare are from the same area and often from the same neighborhood. Likely, they will attend the same schools. The friendships that your child forges in daycare will not only be his or her first friends, but may also be best friends they will keep for a lifetime.
Separation Anxiety
Some children are not faced with leaving their parents until kindergarten, resulting in a tearful and sudden separation at the school doors. By being slowly introduced to a new environment away from home, new adults, and their peers, children learn sooner that being away from home isn’t scary.
Confidence
At home, parents are there to guide their children at literally every step. While daycare teachers monitor children closely, children learn to listen to instructions and solve problems for themselves; even something as simple as asking a teacher or another child for help or finding their way around the room strengthens a child’s problem-solving skills and boosts their confidence in their own abilities.
Daycare provides a safe, secure middle ground between home and school where a child can learn, adjust and test their abilities with the help of a caring adult nearby. Heaven’s Elect daycare stays by your child’s side as they learn, forge new friendships, gain independence and gain confidence. We are knowledgeable and caring guardians helping your child along the way and ensuring they start on the right path.
Heaven’s Elect Christian Learning Center is a Midland Michigan daycare center. Founded in 2000, it is a Non-denominational Christian childcare center fully licensed by the state of Michigan. It offers a full day program for children from birth to 12-years of age. Daycare services include preschool, daycare, transportation, fresh hot lunch and snacks, sign language, bible time and fun learning activities. Certified in CPR and First Aid, our caring staff and state-certified lead teachers are dedicated to providing a faith-based environment with the Abeka book curriculum, the latest conscious discipline and creative curriculum. Contact us at 989-837-1914 or HeavensElect.com.