Sharing Circle

Age integration in childcare is the process of including children of various ages in the daily activities of the communities. Contrast this with age segregation, which involves separating children into definite age groups for instructions, activities, learning and playing. Age integration in childcare gives each child an equal responsibility where they become both collaborators and contributors. Age integration is popular because it provides the perfect environment for learning since the kids are able to observe and teach their peers.
 
Four benefits of age integration in childcare:

• The young children benefit from consistent education and care in the same place and time. They are able to move consistently through their early childhood without interruption.
• The parent who will have the advantage of accessing more integrated services, hence, a reduction in time needed to look for appropriate childcare facilities every time their child is promoted as they get older.
• Third, there is a reduced cost as a result of removing divisions. The divisions result in extra cost because each age group has its own expenses when it comes to management, e.g extra staff, teaching materials and space.
• The forth benefit has to do with reducing child exclusion in young children. This promotes cohesion and other social benefits.

 
From the young child's point of view, how well they are integrated in their early days, how many peers or groups they interact with, how many adults they see and how many transitions they make have a direct effect when it comes to their well-being and development. Age integration in childcare leads to a healthy mix of children from different ages working harmoniously together, and learning great lessons from one another.
 
However, the downside to age integration is that cases of bullying are rampant. Moreover the older kids may teach younger kids inappropriate behaviors because the young ones are usually looking up to the older ones.

Do your due diligence to decide what is best for your children.  If you have questions, please contact TSL Adventures.
 
 

For some parents, childcare is unavoidable.  They have to embrace the fact that they need to utilize is based on the demands of the modern lifestyle where parents are too busy to supervise their children.   For them, they would not rather take their little ones to childcare if they were free. For others, childcare is an integral component of the child’s development. They know for sure that childcare is the perfect place for their children to learn important social skills such as teamwork, leadership, healthy living and communication. So, these sets of parents are ready to invest to ensure their children are enrolled in the best childcare centers around.

Therefore, the cost of childcare depends on the individual parent.  It truly is a case-by-case basis.  But if one were to be objective and analyze the benefits of childcare, it would be safe to say that it is worth every penny, if only you can afford it.  Of course, there are alternatives for those who cannot afford childcare.  If you find that it is too expensive for you to comfortably afford it, then it is not worth it.

Finding value in childcare
Like every other parent, you want the best for your children.  Perhaps, that is the reason why you are in search of an excellent daycare facility in Albany for your kid.  But it is wise to remember that the most expensive isn’t necessarily the best, at least as far as finding the best daycare for your child is concerned. First and foremost, ensure that the daycare is duly licensed and meets all government-imposed standards for daycare. Secondly, ensure that the facility has employed qualified caregivers who will teach your children well. The caregivers should be responsible and able to provide the kids with the direction they need to grow.  Thirdly, make sure that the environment is right for the child.
 

Summer camps programs are essential learning opportunities for kids and have proven to have a correlation with higher graduation rates, positive effects on self-esteem, better preparation for college, confidence and motivation.  

Moreover, these programs are great at improving talent and keeping students engaged.  Therefore, it is no surprise that parents are looking for great summer camp programs in Albany for their children.

So what should a parent look in a great summer program?

This is one question that many parents struggle to answer.  According to camp professionals, camps let kids play, engage, explore and roam in a way that they never do in the neighborhood. The good thing about camps is that they let kids rediscover their childhood by taking them away from TV, computers and social media, swapping that with fun, conversation and games in a natural setting.  

Here are important questions you should answer while looking for a summer program for your child.

• Does the program promise balanced programming like cultural enrichment, reading, math, sporting and puzzles?
• Does the program have engaging activities?
• Will the children have personalized attention depending on their individual needs and age?
• Is the location safe and secure?
• Does the program cater to children with disabilities?
  
• Are the guides trained to offer specialized camps?
• What is the reputation of the program? How long has it been in existence?
• How long will the program take?
• Does the program ensure healthy interactions between staff and youth?
• Does the program encourage physical exercises and healthy eating?
• What are the ground rules of the program?
• Is the staff who is going to work with my child experienced enough?
• Are the parents involved in the program?

 
The best programs are those that focus on promoting the overall health and wellbeing of the child.  TSL Adventures offers an amazing summer camp program in the Capital Region.  

We invite you to check us out !!!

We often hear a lot about bullying at schools, but forget that bullying in childcare is more common than most people think. Perhaps you have had your child’s ear bitten or pulled in pre-school. Maybe she/he was isolated during playtime or teased and beaten. The truth of the matter is that these aggressive behaviors can also manifest in young children in childcare.

According to a research by Montreal University, aggression in children can start in the first year of birth and peak between two and four years. That means that your child might be a victim of pre-school or childcare bullying. It also means that your child might as well be the bully. In both cases, parents must learn to recognize elements of bullying and curtail it as early as possible before it grows into an uncontrollable monster later in life.

What should you do if you suspect that your child is being bullied?

In normal circumstances, childcare administrators will deal with cases of bullying among the children.  But, the only problem is that only parents of the offending kids are involved while leaving out the parents of the victimized children.  Many children prefer to remain silent when bullied. However, there are always some signs to look out for when you suspect that your kid is being bullied.

Here are some signs to look for:

• Physical marks, scrapes, cuts and bruises that your child is unable to explain
• Torn cloths, damaged books, toys or electronic gadgets or lost possessions
• The child refuses to go to school
• The child refuses to ride in the school bus (if available)
• The child becomes withdrawn, evasive and lonely
• The child suddenly loses self-confidence, appears sad and moody.
• The child’s behavior changes unexpectedly. A remarkable change in eating habits as well
• Poor quality of sleep
• Hungry when comes home
• Sudden decline in academic grades
• Complains about certain kid in school

If you have noticed that your child is not their normal self, the best thing is to find out at once what could be the problem. Remember, your child is not always going to say that he/she is being bullied.

Here, communication is important in case you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms.  Let your child know that you can solve his/her problem, and that they should not blame themselves for what might have happened.

If your child is not forthcoming with what is bothering them, ask leading questions like, “did someone bite you?”, can you please tell me who hurt you?” etc.

Once you establish that there is a problem, set up a meeting with the caregiver or teacher to discuss the issue.

On your side, you can equip your child with skills on how to cope with bullies. For instance, you can tell them to stand up to the bully and look back at them in the eye.   Also, encourage your child to report any case of bullying to the teacher or any adult around.

Childcare in Albany is a great option for families with busy schedules.  It is simply very important to be aware of any changes in habits or patterns with your children.

A great share discussing this topic further:

Did you know that all children, including those that have special needs have a right to a quality after school program? These programs promote the philosophy of teamwork, inclusion and leadership.  Although day care programs that accommodate special needs children are hard to find, the law provides for children with special needs to be accommodated in daycare.
 
Finding a childcare program that will take care of your child’s special needs can be difficult, but it is critical to make sure that you find the right program.
 
You will definitely want a program that has the same attributes as those of your child. Ideally, you should look for one that is run by trained professionals who will know how to handle your child with personalized care and professionalism. Look for a program that offers a smaller environment with a structured childcare program.
 
Sometimes it may be impossible to find a program that is a good fit for your kid. In that case, the alternative is to find an experienced caregiver who is ready to learn and address the behavioral needs of your child.
 
Talk to the staff
 
No matter how the program seems to fit the attributes of your child, it is important to talk to the staff at the childcare center because no two special needs children are the same. Informing them about very specific needs of your child helps to make the experience more enjoyable and successful for everyone. Consider sharing with the staff at the center if your child has an individualized education plan; however, you have the right to withhold any information regarding the diagnosis of your child.
 
It is also worth noting that it has become increasingly difficult to find a facility that can manage your child if they have difficult-to-manage behaviors.  Often times, when you fail to disclose as much information as possible to the caregivers, your child may be asked to leave the center without notice. This can be very devastating to the parents.  The law may prohibit caregivers against any form of discrimination but failing to disclose vital information to the afterschool care center regarding your child special needs may come back to haunt you.
 
In short, it is all about remaining honest about your child and providing a safe and stimulating environment for them to grow and learn in.

You have searched far and wide.  You have done all the necessary research in order to ensure that you select the best daycare for your children. You have finally settled on a magnificent after school daycare in Albany with wonderful caregivers.  You find the caregivers knowledgeable and friendly, and they seem to match every description of the ideal people you would like to handle your child. It seems like a perfect deal. However, on the pickup day, you notice something that makes you start thinking twice.

Here are some concerns that you would want to solve before handing over your child.

Food - the good thing about licensed daycare givers is that nutrition is a top priority. The law requires centers to provide healthy, balanced options to the children. However, it is possible that you might still be concerned about the food offered at the daycare. It is important to talk to the staff about the type of food they provide. Some centers allow children to make choices.  But it is also worth noting that being extremely choosy for your child when it comes to food might not help. Remember, that is part of the things that your child will learn at the facility. Unless food being offered is not nutritious, it is best to allow your child to go along with it.

Safety - another top concern for most parents is the safety of their children. Is the daycare in a secure location? Does the institution employ enough safety measures when taking care of children? A secure environment is mandatory. At the very least, only authorized persons can visit the daycare facility and there is a proper monitoring of the exit and entry of every person.

Clean and healthy - every parent wants to ensure that their children are raised in a clean and healthy environment. Children should be taught by their caregivers to always wash their hands before eating and after using the washrooms. If the environment is not clean, there is danger of contacting sickness or disease.

Friendly - ensure that your child is in friendly hands. You are only going to have peace of mind if you know that your child is spending time in a friendly, thriving environment. There should also be a connection between the children and the caregiver. On the same note, children should be taught in a stimulating environment that encourages fun and play.  Unlike adults, children require stimulating things such as puzzles, blocks, throwing balls, etc.

Accredited - most importantly, make sure that the facility is licensed to offer after school childcare. Ask for past customers who can give you important information regarding the place.

Clinton once said that it takes a good community to effectively raise a child. That sounds so true today especially for parents that are in search of quality daycare for their little ones. From the parents, to the administrators, to the religious leaders, to the caregivers, to state licensing agencies, there are many people involved in shaping the future of the child. It is not a surprise that finding a good program is a chief concern for many parents.  A good childcare support program should be affordable, safe and one that allows their kids to grow socially and intellectually.   That said, it is a major undertaking to identify a great program, one that meets all your high standards. 
 
What is quality childcare?
There are many facilities with excellent caregivers throughout the United States. However, there is more to quality care than just giving children stimulating toys and nice teachers. It is making a difference in the lives of the children. In other words, the program must promote healthy early-childhood development.

Childcare is a calling. You’ve got to look beyond the pay in order to offer quality care. For many childcare facilities, healthy childhood development is the foundation of a great society.  As a matter of fact, daycare owners don’t receive a lot of money from taking care of other people’s kids, but the satisfaction they get means a lot to them.

Unfortunately, this could also explain the high turnout being experienced in the early-childhood daycare industry. For those who decide to go into daycare for the money, they end up getting disappointed. Other obstacles like obtaining state licenses, which can take years, can take a toll on entrepreneurs. However, there are many caregivers who remain committed to their work, and these are the true heroes of our kids. Childcare requires dedication, resilience, patience and lots of love for the job.

If you are looking for a great childcare program in the Albany area, we invite you to consider TSL Adventures.  Our goal is to offer creative, fun and safe environments for your children that foster their social, physical and cognitive skills.

Choosing the right childcare is not an easy task. There are a number of options you need to look at when it comes to choosing the right childcare program.   Here, we are going to discuss the available options so that you can make a quality decision:

1) Daycare center
Currently, there are more than 2.6 million children that attend daycare in the United States. These facilities are licensed and have met various government safety standards and regulations. As such, you can expect them to have qualified professional caregivers. The good thing with daycare centers is that they accept even infants that are 6 weeks old. The cost ranges from $4,000 to $15,000 depending on the facility and state.

Daycare centers are perfect for busy parents who do not have time to look after their kids. Moreover, the centers are equipped with childcare programs that are meant to foster the growth of your child. The only downside is the high cost. Even if you pay for the most expensive daycare, there are no guarantees that your child will receive quality, personalized care

2) Home care/family daycare
Home care is also another excellent option for parents. Currently, there are more than 1.6 million children in the United States under informal management/care, normally involving a caregiver looking after a small group of children in their homes.

The cost of hiring home care providers can also range from $4,000 to $10,000 depending on the age of the child as well as the state you live in.

The advantage of home-based care is that children remain in a home setting and can play with their older or younger children in the family. There is also an element of security and comfort. Unfortunately, home daycare is less regulated.

3) Nannies
A more popular option for your childcare option is to employ a full-time nanny. If you need more flexibility and you want your child to feel more comfortable then you should consider a nanny.   A nanny could be a professional baby sitter or an undocumented worker. It is advisable to go for a nanny that is not only able to develop deep, loving connection with your kid, but also one who has great parenting skills.

4) Au Pair
Some families opt to engage relatives to take care of their children. This is less risky and less expensive in terms of security and employee costs. Families who prefer this option say flexibility is the key. A less desirable aspect of Au pair is that they can quit anytime without notice. 

If you are looking for a quality childcare program in Albany, we invite you to consider TSL Adventures.  Our goal is to offer creative, fun and safe environments for your children that foster their social, physical and cognitive skills.