If the time has come for you to go back to work or school, a top priority is to find childcare! There are so many options in the Wyomissing area–how are you going to choose?

Two popular childcare options are daycare and nanny services. Let’s see how these compare!

Cost: Daycare vs. Nanny

The cost of a nanny obviously varies depending on the qualifications and experience of the nanny, as well as the city and state. According to CARE.com, the average cost of a nanny is $827 per week, or $3300 per month. 

In contrast, the average daycare costs in Pennsylvania are $1,008 per month. There is also childcare financial aid available for low-income families that daycare like Learning Ladder accepts that do not apply for nanny services.

Safety: Daycare vs. Nanny

As previously stated, hiring a nanny can be risky, even if you hire from a reputable source or a friend you trust. There are some things you just won’t know about the nanny, even after a thorough interview, such as how they cope with anger or frustration, how much time they spend on their phone, or their driving skills and safety. 

Hire a nanny from a reputable source or perform your own thorough interviews and background checks. Your child’s safety depends on your research!

In a daycare setting, there’s significantly less reason to worry about your child’s safety. At Learning Ladder, we only hire qualified teachers who have undergone thorough background checks. Our staff receive several breaks a day, unlike a nanny who may not have any breaks. Our business policies protect children’s privacy and hold staff accountable. 

Socialization: Daycare vs. Nanny

Socialization comes naturally in a daycare setting. Children are with peers all day long, learning foundational social skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Children in a daycare setting know how to make friends with new teachers and kids in kindergarten, which helps them focus on their education. 

While children can certainly be socialized with nanny services, this is a little harder to come by. Nannies, operating similarly to a parent, must be the ones to plan social activities for the child–taking them to the library, park, play group, or other activities. This can mean extra hurdles for you to jump through; for instance, you must provide the nanny with a car seat, pay for gas money, and sign your child up for activities.  

At Learning Ladder, your child will gain all the benefits of socialization without adding to your to-do list or finances!

Education: Daycare vs. Nanny

The importance of this point varies depending on the age of your child. For instance, your infant needs less intentional education time than a pre-K child. 

However, that doesn’t mean children should be left to themselves before the age of formal education! There are many ways adults help infants and young children understand the world around them through books, music, colors, art, nature walks, and so much more! 

Pre-K and school-aged children need more supervision and guidance to ensure they are meeting standard education requirements. However, this doesn’t come naturally to every nanny. Some nannies are better than others at teaching, especially if your child has learning differences or difficulties. 

Additionally, nannies may charge extra for developing and providing educational services. They may have special certifications or experience levels that, while beneficial for your child, make them a more expensive childcare option. 

At Learning Ladder, we put a high priority on quality curriculum so every child is successful and meets educational milestones. We hire experienced teachers who engage children, so they have fun while they are learning. Children at Learning Ladder receive a well-rounded early childhood education so they are ready for kindergarten and beyond!

These educational experiences all come at no extra cost to you!

So, which is better, daycare or nanny services?

Ultimately, that decision is up to you. There isn’t a superior option because every family situation is different. Some parents prefer the one-on-one attention a child has with a nanny, while this isn’t a priority for other families.  

With affordable prices, better safety and education standards, and abundant social opportunities, DAYCARE should be at the top of your childcare list. 

If you’re having trouble choosing a childcare option, you’re not alone! There are many quality childcare options in the Wyomissing area. There are many factors to consider, such as:

• Location
• Cost
• Availability
• Schedule

Let’s take a look at how daycare and home childcare compare.

Location: Daycare vs. Home Childcare

Everyone has different preferences for an ideal location. Some are willing to drive further, while others prefer the closest option possible. Neither of these is right or wrong–it’s all about what works for your family situation.

Learning Ladder is conveniently located next to Berkshire Mall, which gives you plenty of options for shopping, groceries, and restaurants. You can’t go wrong with our location!

Cost: Daycare vs. Home Childcare

As private businesses, daycares and home childcare settings alike can charge a variety of prices. In Pennsylvania, the average cost of childcare is $1,008 per month. Typically, infant care is more expensive than school-aged care because infants need more supervision than school-aged children. 

As you inquire into each business, you will find a spectrum of prices. But be wary of childcare that charges under average prices; this could be a red flag that the childcare provided is poor. 

Availability: Daycare vs. Home Childcare

It can be hard to find a daycare or home childcare with availability! This is especially true of infant age groups since infant classrooms are capped at 10 children. 

Typically, daycares have more availability than home childcare options. This is because home childcare options can only provide care for about 10-12 children. 

In contrast, daycare classrooms have higher ratios. This means you’re more likely to find available childcare in a daycare like Learning Ladder. 

Schedule: Daycare vs. Home Childcare

Daycares can maintain a consistent schedule because they employ multiple staff members. Learning Ladder is open Monday-Friday, 6:30 AM-6 PM. This is extremely beneficial to families because it means reliable childcare.

In contrast, home childcare is a little less dependable. What happens if the provider is too ill to provide care, needs to meet a family emergency, or takes a vacation? You must find outside childcare–sometimes at the last minute’s notice. While this is not to say home childcare providers are generally reliable, there’s peace of mind knowing that daycares like Learning Ladder will always be available to take your child!

Additionally, home childcare may not have the 12-hour childcare window that Learning Ladder does. While this may not be a problem for some families, Learning Ladder’s flexible time window allows you to take that early or late shift, run an errand before picking up your child, and not stress if you’re stuck in traffic. 

So, which is better, daycare or home childcare? 

Ultimately, that decision is up to you. There isn’t a superior option because every family situation is different. Some parents value the intimacy of home childcare and that children of all ages play together, while this isn’t as important for other parents. 

At daycare, your child has opportunities that home childcare doesn’t provide, such as field trips, quality curriculum taught by teachers, and same-age peer interaction. 

With a convenient location, affordable prices, better availability, and dependable childcare, Learning Ladder should be at the top of your childcare list. 

Choosing a childcare option can be overwhelming. There is a plethora of daycare and home childcare options in the Wyomissing area. But what is the difference between daycare and in-home childcare?

What Is Daycare?

Daycares are usually larger entities, with classrooms divided by age. For instance, many daycares have classrooms divided into infant (0-12 months), toddler (12-24 months), two’s, three’s, pre-K, kindergarten, and school-aged children. 

Depending on enrollment, classes may be larger or smaller, and school-aged classrooms may have various cutoffs. 

By law and for safety, classrooms are limited to a specified ratio of children to teachers. Younger children (like infants and toddlers) need more assistance than older children; therefore, fewer children are in younger classrooms. 

In Pennsylvania, daycares have the following child-to-teacher ratios:

• 6 weeks-12 months (4:1)
• Toddlers (5:1)
• 2 – 3 years (6:1)
• 3 – 5 years (10:1)
• 5 – 7 years (12:1)
• 7 years and older (15:1) 

Teachers can provide the best childcare with these ratios. However, you can still have too many children per classroom, even when there is an adequate child-to-teacher ratio. For instance, a classroom may be large enough to contain 20 infants and four teachers, but it’s easy to see how this is overwhelming for children and teachers. 

That’s why, in addition to child-to-teacher ratios, the state of Pennsylvania caps the maximum classroom size for each age group:

• Infants: 8
• Toddlers: 10
• Pre-K (3 and 4 year-olds): 12
• Pre-K (4 and 5 year-olds): 20
• School age (5+ years old): 24 

What Is In-Home Childcare?

Not to be confused with hiring a private nanny to stay at your house, in-home childcare is when a licensed childcare provider watches other children in their own home. 

Some providers will be caring for related children, such as biological children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or step-children, at the same time as other children. This is a common way for stay-at-home parents to bring in extra income. However, the provider does not have to have their own children and may run the small business out of their home. 

Home childcare can be divided into two categories: small-family childcare homes and large-family childcare homes. 

Small-Family Childcare Homes

In small-family childcare homes, the childcare provider can have up to four related children and 4-6 unrelated children in the home. This means a maximum of ten children can be in the home at a time. Certain districts in Pennsylvania may have different regulations for small-family childcare homes.  

Large-Family Childcare Homes

While one individual may operate a small-family childcare home independently, a large-family childcare home may have more than one staff member. 

Large-family childcare homes can have 7-12 children at one time. The child-to-teacher ratios for this childcare option are:

• 4:1 for ages one year or less
• 5:1 for 1-2 years old
• 6:1 for ages 2-3
• 10:1 for ages 3 and up

While there’s a lot to consider when choosing childcare, we believe Learning Ladder Academy is a top option for Wyomissing childcare. We strive to care for each child individually and help them reach their maximum potential. Contact us today for more information!

Parents are used to tracking what their young child’s daily life. What have they eaten today? Have they played well, read books, or made friends? When your child is in daycare all day, parents can lose track of what their child experiences in their daily life.

Here is a sneak peek into what your child does almost every day at Bright Start Learning Center.

Scheduled Weekly Activities

Structure and routine are vital to a child’s sense of stability. When a child feels secure, they are free to explore their environment and education. But that doesn’t mean kids desire monotony! Just like adults, children want to try new and exciting things. That’s why our teachers provide a variety of special activities that coincide with our outstanding curriculum. 

Even our infant and toddler classrooms incorporate fun but age-appropriate activities, like foot or finger painting, dance music, puppets, and more!

These activities enrich the curriculum, expand your child’s world, and encourage friendships with peers and teachers.

Daily Physical Activities 

At Bright Start Learning Center, we know how important it is for your child to exercise. Gross motor development is key for a well-rounded life. Exercise can help overweight children resume an ideal weight, plus exercise releases endorphins, so your child is in a better mood when you pick them up. Physical exertion helps them sleep well at night.

For infants, engaging in physical activity looks a little different. Our goal for infants is to let them explore their environment using whatever physical capabilities they currently have. Our teachers are always helping the infants progress to the next gross motor milestone.  

Healthy Meals and Snacks

Many parents want nutritious meals for their children. At Bright Start Learning Center, we care about the nutritional value of the meals and snacks we serve! 

We offer a variety of balanced meals following standard nutritional recommendations. Even if your child doesn’t eat everything on their plate, they are being exposed to various nutritious foods. Plus, watching their peers enjoy new foods can encourage them to try something new and grow their palate. 

If your child has any dietary restrictions or allergies, please speak with the director for accommodations. 

Quiet Time

While we provide physical activities, we also know that everyone needs some downtime! Some children naturally lean into individual or quiet play. Other children seem to have non-stop energy, but they need downtime just as much as introverted peers. 

Our classrooms offer a quiet area for reading or resting. In younger classrooms, cots are provided for nap time. Older children may color, draw, or craft during quiet time. 

The goal of quiet time is to help regulate the nervous system, teach the value of calming activities, and help children be ready to play together again.  

Free Play

Structured activities and following a curriculum have many benefits, but children also need free play time to use their imaginations. We provide items like costumes, scarves, and props so children can create their own stories during free play. 

The holiday party season can be especially challenging for parents because of managing your children at parties. At every party, there is lots of sugar, stimulation, and gifts. While these are fun for a short time, it doesn’t take long before your overwhelmed and overstimulated child may start to have a meltdown. 

Although child meltdowns at parties are common, they don’t have to be inevitable. Here are some ways to help avoid child meltdowns at holiday parties.

Talk Before the Party 

Parents must remember that children don’t have a paradigm for parties. There is suddenly a lot of noise, strange people, good things to eat, and unfamiliar places, and children don’t know what to do. Part of a child’s meltdown may come from uncertainty, and the meltdown is their only way to communicate that they are uncomfortable. 

Many meltdowns can be prevented by talking about the party plans with your child. Tell them who will be there, what games they will do, what food they can eat, when you will leave, and other basic details. If appropriate, set boundaries that might avoid a meltdown, like eating only two desserts or playing only one video game.   

Dress your child comfortably for the party. If possible, dress your child in layers, since parties with lots of people tend to get warm and your child might want to take off that cute holiday sweater to cool down. Bring winter gear to play outside and leave it in the car. Then your child can join other kids outside without borrowing the hosts’ clothes. 

If you’re attending a party without children or in a space not designed for children (like a work party), then you should bring along some of your child’s favorite books or toys to keep them busy. A tablet is another option, but should be used strategically, as removing the tablet could result in a meltdown

Feeding your children a meal before attending the party is another excellent party hack, especially for picky eaters. By feeding your child beforehand, you won’t be at the mercy of when the host serves food or what the host provides. Your child’s belly will already be full, and they won’t be begging for every snack or dessert they see. 

Keep Tabs At the Party

On your drive to the party, have a cheerful pep talk about your expectations. Try to keep your language positive; avoid “don’t” statements and instead encourage the behavior you want.  

Upon arriving at the party, set your child up with appropriate activities or children. Let your child know where you’ll be so they feel safe in this new space. It may be helpful to give a timeline, such as “Play here for 15 minutes and then I’ll let you choose some food to eat” so your child knows what to expect. 

As tempting as it might be, don’t check out once you’re at the party. You should watch for cues that your child is getting irritable, restless, or tired and step in before the meltdown erupts! Let them decompress in a quiet place by reading books or playing by themselves. 

Although letting your child decompress in a quiet place usually prevents a meltdown, you need to stay flexible and do what’s best for your child. You might have to make an early exit before a full meltdown happens. This might be disappointing, but it avoids embarrassing yourself or your child. 

Debrief After the Party

Your child may be overwhelmed and overstimulated after a party. The sugar, lights, and excitement can make it hard to unwind. Plan time to calm down by reading, taking a bath, or going on a quiet walk. Talk about the fun you had and memories you made together. 

If your child still struggled at the party, it’s imperative to not be harsh with them as you discuss what happened. Holiday memories are especially vivid, and you want your child to think of their childhood Christmases with fondness and not bitterness towards you. You can discuss needed improvement positively and cherish the happy memories you made together before a meltdown.

As the temperatures continue to plummet, parents everywhere are pulling out winter jackets for their children. But if you’re like most parents, you’ve likely experienced the frustration of your child refusing to wear a jacket no matter how cold it is. For one reason or another, your child adamantly refuses to keep their jacket on despite the body-chilling temperatures.

Below are several common reasons children refuse jackets and how parents can have success with keeping their children warm.

Children Have Brown Fat

Although there are some behavioral reasons for why children may refuse a jacket, there is a major biological reason that parents should understand: children have a higher concentration of brown fat than adults.

Brown fat is specially designed to generate heat. Infants have the highest concentration of brown fat because they lack the muscle mass to shiver, which allows them to stay warm after birth. As children grow, brown fat will gradually decrease, but toddlers and young children still have brown fat that keeps them warm.

Brown fat can make children feel like they’re already wearing a jacket. So, of course, they don’t want a second jacket–they’re literally too warm! This is why it’s common to see school children wearing shorts in the wintertime. 

Of course, this doesn’t mean parents shouldn’t require children to wear jackets; parents should help their children understand the importance of jackets and require them to be worn whenever possible. 

Children Desire Independence

Children quickly realize that many choices are made for them and seek to assert independence in whatever areas they can. Whether it’s food, TV shows, or wardrobe choices, children are quick to state their preferences and insist on being independent. Refusing a jacket is just another area that a child may be seeking for control. 

Potential Sensory Discomfort

Many children these days have true sensitivities to tags, seams, and fabrics. Their winter jacket may be too heavy, scratchy, bulky, or otherwise uncomfortable. While parents shouldn’t indulge their child’s every preference, sensory discomforts are a challenge that may need accommodation. 

Children Have Higher Body Temperature

Not only does a child’s higher brown fat concentration affect their body temperature, but children are generally more active when outdoors than adults. Just like you are throwing off your jacket after a few minutes of shoveling snow, children likewise don’t feel the need for a jacket after a few minutes of running, climbing, or romping with friends. 

Jacket Preference

Children are strongly influenced by the fashion preferences of their peers. Your child may not want to wear a jacket that they don’t find fashionable or cool. Additionally, older children tend to not find any jacket fashionable or cool, so they try to forego them altogether. 

How To Handle Jacket Refusal

How should parents respond when their child refuses a jacket? Here are some suggestions:

• Give Choices: If possible, offer a choice of jacket or thick sweatshirt. Giving two choices lets your child feel like they’re in control and keeps them warm.
• Accommodate Sensory Needs: Find a jacket that accommodates the specific sensory needs for your child. There are many companies who make sensory-friendly clothing and jackets.
• Let Them Experience the Cold Consequences: Obstinate children may need a dose of reality. If they refuse a jacket, let them experience the cold! Never keep a child outside in frigid temperatures for longer than a few minutes, but even those few uncomfortable minutes can help them appreciate the value of a jacket. They also would need to stay inside during recess while the other children play. These natural consequences may be the only option to convince children to wear a jacket. 

If your child is refusing a jacket, the good news is, it’s unlikely they’re as cold as you imagine. Their protective brown fat helps them stay warmer than an adult. 

However, parents should do all they can to encourage the healthy habit of wearing a jacket. Find a jacket that your child feels comfortable and confident in, and you’ll have less of a struggle.