Oct 07

The Gifts You Give

Grants and Financial Resources, Meeting the Needs of Children No Comments »

We all know the crucial role child care providers play in society.  We also know that it takes a special person capable of giving so much with so little in return.  This week, the country was made privy to just how much our daycare providers give to those left in their care.  Keep reading for some of the latest national statistics and a peek into what you, as a child care provider, can expect in the coming months.

According to the National Association of Child Care Resources & Referral Agencies, there are more than 11 million children under the age of 5 who spend the lion’s share of their waking hours with someone besides his or her mother.  That someone is most often the child care provider.  In fact, on average, each of those little ones Mom trusts you with spends approximately 36 hours with you.  Not only that, but there’s a good chance you’re not the only one Mom and Dad rely on to ensure the safety and well being of their children.  With so many industries that exist on an “around the clock” environment, some parents rely on others, including grandparents and neighbors, to help out when they’re working the late shift.

If you routinely care for children whose families are low income, it could be those meals and snacks you provide are the closest they get to a nutritious meal each day.  It’s not that parents don’t care or don’t pay attention to what their children are consuming; it’s more likely due to a combination of tough economic times and parents who might be working two or more jobs just to keep the bases covered with very little time left to shop for groceries.  Then, of course, there are still 14.5 million Americans who are out of work with another 7 million who are only working part time because those are the only available jobs.  Most child care providers know all too well losing a child they’ve grown to love because families can no longer afford to pay for your services.

This is why it’s so important to ensure your families are made aware of the many programs that will allow them to continue to leave their children with you versus other less safer options.  For instance, one woman, who worked in a mall, could no longer afford daycare for her young daughter.  She had no choice but to leave her in the car while she worked.  She was able to check on her every hour, but that’s an incredibly dangerous situation that could have easily resulted in tragedy.

If you’re wondering if new programs parents are able to take advantage of won’t be compatible with your Alpha Cares software, you’ll be surprised to learn the transition is a breeze as we’ve built in all of the requisite “must haves” these programs require.  Visit the AlphaCares.com site for more information and for a compilation of recent newspaper headlines and stories from across the country, visit the NACCRA Organization’s website here.  You’ll also discover links that will take you to the various programs in place to help families who are struggling, but need to ensure the safety of their children as they set out to look for new employment.

Do you have a story to tell?  Drop us a line – we’d love to hear from you and some of the hurdles you have overcome in your child care business.

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May 26

Summer Fun and Summer Safety

Child Care Practices, Meeting the Needs of Children No Comments »

Now that summer’s approaching, odds are, as a child care provider, you’re gearing up for three months of children who want nothing more than to be outdoors.  There’s just something about those warmer months that energizes all of us, but especially children who are breaking loose after the school year.  With that thought in mind, Alpha Cares has put together some safety tips that will keep your little ones safe as they revel under the warm sunshine.

  • If you haven’t already inspected your swings and other outdoor toys to ensure they’re in good repair, now’s a great time to do so.  Look for exposed bolts on swing sets, compromised cords or chains and inspect anything else that kids tend to make a beeline for outdoors.  Also, walk the grounds where kids will be playing and be sure there are no ant beds or bee hives.
  • With the outdoors comes the threat of bee stings, ant bites and allergy attacks.  Review your course of action with parents so that you take action right away.  Be sure each parent has a signed release in your files for anything you’re authorized to provide, including medications such as Benadryl or Tylenol.
  • Now’s the time to also be sure your first aid kit is well stocked with bandages, antibiotic ointment and other fixes for those skinned knees and bug bites.
  • Kids tend to run at full steam ahead, so be you’re on the lookout for loose shoe strings and other little hazards that can cause big problems.
  • You don’t want to have to deal with dehydration.  Make sure your little ones are getting plenty of liquids.
  • It’s always a good idea to have parents provide a change of clothes.  You never know when little Billy is going to slide into home base and end up with grass stains or covered from head to toe in mud.
  • Finally, don’t forget the SPF sunblock!  This is really important as it affects our health for the rest of our lives.  This is a great time to instill this habit in children, too.

For the kids, they have little patience for the preparations of spending time outdoors, but as adults, we have a responsibility to ensure they’re as protected as possible.  Have anymore great tips or ideas?  We’d love to hear them!  Drop us a line and we’ll be sure to get them posted. Have a great summer!

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Apr 30

Childhood Obesity – Doing Your Part as a Child Care Provider

Child Care Practices, Meeting the Needs of Children No Comments »

According to the Centers for Disease Control, childhood obesity has more than tripled since 1970.  In fact, the prevalence for children between the ages of 6 and 11 has gone from 6.5% to 19.6% in 2008.  Those statistics are startling and provide a somber look at just how much we’ve come to rely upon refined sugars and convenience foods.

But there’s more to it than just a few extra pounds our children are carrying.  The physical and psychological tolls can be devastating and affect a child into his adulthood.  Everything from cardiovascular disease to diabetes to sleep apnea has been associated with childhood obesity.  So what can you, as a child care provider, do to offset these potential problems?  While it may seem as though any efforts on your part, in your capacity as a provider, would be offset by a child’s unhealthy lifestyle, you might be surprised to learn that those little things will actually stick with a child as he grows older.  This is one reason it’s so important to encourage physical activity and to stress the benefits of choosing an apple over a cookie.  Often, many children don’t have access at home to healthier food choices, such as fruit and veggies.  And too, kids will often dismiss fresh veggies not because they’ve tried them and really don’t like them, but because it’s just their first reaction.  Making it fun is key.

One way of doing this is by encouraging a child to participate in age appropriate ways.  Many child care centers are allowing little ones to plant small gardens.  Even if it’s just a few strawberry plants and even tomato plants or cucumbers, it gives them a sense of pride in knowing they’re responsible for those yummy strawberries they’re now washing and getting ready to share.  It’s fantastic for everyone, but most importantly, it allows these kids to take the knowledge with them into their adulthood when they’re not only making food decisions for themselves, but for their children too.

You might not be able to eradicate childhood obesity on your own, but you can certainly influence those children who are fortunate enough to have you as their child care providers.  A few small changes is all it takes for potential major changes later on.

Be sure to visit our site, too for more information on how to make your child care center more efficient.

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Jan 19

Helping the Youngest Cope with Haitian Earthquake

Meeting the Needs of Children No Comments »

Child care providers often find themselves in a difficult position when global tragedies occur.  Children who start arriving the morning after a particularly devastating tragedy, such as the earthquake in Haiti, often have questions that can begin the moment they arrive, especially if the news was just on Mom’s car radio.  Certainly their ages play a role in the questions and conversations, but all in all, kids want reassurance especially when it’s something their young minds can’t comprehend.  But how do you address a group of children, often of varying ages, when the questions begin?  It’s a fine line, especially since parents have definitive ideas on how much their children should be told.  One child might know more than others, while another might be lost when the questions begin.

Child care providers routinely have toddlers and pre-kindergarten age children during the day with older school age children coming in the afternoons.  This can complicate matters.  Still, there are ways to walk that tightrope that allows you to respect each parent’s wishes while also addressing questions and concerns of your young charges.

With younger children, they have no concept of distance; explaining a tragedy that happened in another part of the world or the country, for that matter, means little to them.  All they know is what they’ve seen on television or have overheard adults talking about.

Many child psychologists agree that providing simple answers is sufficient for younger children.  Instead of focusing so much on the human toll, child care providers can often steer the conversations to another factor of a tragedy; in this case, earthquakes.  It can turn into a learning opportunity that steers clear of those topics best left to the parents while also explaining in age-appropriate terms what earthquakes are, how the oceans are affected and even how the birds and fish react.  The purpose is to not discount their questions while also remaining in neutral territory.

If you notice any child who might be having a difficult time, you can always take him or her aside for a one on one chat.  Again, you don’t want to navigate those difficult waters that include life and death, but you can ease their minds by telling them help has arrived to help the children and that big airplanes are bringing supplies to everyone to make their days better.  Of course, it’s not that simple, but again, your goal is to keep it age-appropriate.  At the end of the day, be sure to mention to Mom or Dad the difficulties their little one had.

Tragedies are all too often a part of our lives, but with a little tender loving care and by carefully choosing our words, soothing the concerns of the youngest is manageable.

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