NOVI, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Back-to-School season is right around the corner and Learning Care Group, Inc. – the second largest provider of early education and child care in North America – wants to help families start the year off right. Following are a number of suggestions for selecting the appropriate program for your family, beating the back-to-school blues and more.

Selecting a Child Care / Early Education Provider

One of the most difficult decisions a parent may make is selecting the best child care / early education program for their family. For some, a nanny or babysitter is the best option, others may prefer care at another person’s home, while others like the benefits of a large child care center. Either way, there are several things you should consider throughout your search.

First, the parent should visit the provider and observe the activities for their child’s age-group. Prepare some questions in advance and take a checklist with you. Meet the staff members, including those who would be working in your child’s room. What are their qualifications? Do they treat you and your child with respect, compassion and understanding? For those schools where a parent feels comfortable, a follow-up tour with the child should occur.

Parents should also be sure to tour the whole facility and look for things such as cleanliness, bright colors, adequate room lighting, an outdoor playground and diaper changing areas. It should feel warm and inviting.

Obviously, health and safety is going to be of the utmost importance. Following are just some of the things you’ll want to take note of:

• Are there rounded table corners and other classroom safety features (finger guards, etc.)?
• Are hand-washing techniques followed by caregivers?
• Look for current licenses and permits.
• Are teachers first-aid and CPR certified?
• What is the process for dropping-off and picking-up your child?
• Are there separate cribs for infants and mats for children?
• Make sure that all dangerous medications and chemicals are kept out of reach of children.

Finally, parents should evaluate the overall program offering and curriculum. They can do this by looking at the educational materials, watching to see if there is creative play taking place in the classrooms, and inquiring about the teacher:student ratio. Other important factors may include small and large group time, child assessment technology, classroom learning centers, outdoor play and teacher professional development.

Ultimately, the place that both the parent and child feel the most comfortable in is the best place to start. If things change during the year and concerns arise, families should never hesitate to speak with the director / manager or even consider switching providers. We encourage parents to trust their instinct and select the program that works best for their family.

Helping Children Adjust to a New Provider

Families can help their child adjust to a child care / early education provider by understanding it may take time. Discuss what the child will be doing throughout the day and talk about how it will be fun and exciting. Plan to remain with your child when they first arrive for a short period of time to offer support. Let them know what time you will be arriving to pick them up and be on time. Children may not be able to comprehend time, so say things like “I’ll be here after you finish your afternoon snack” or “I’ll pick you up when you come back from your second playground visit.” A set routine can offer children peace of mind and reassures them. Even consider including a family photo or special note in your child’s lunch box or backpack to let them know you are thinking of them.

Parents may also have a hard time leaving their child for the first time. Be sure to only exude positive feelings and words of encouragement. If the child feels that mom or dad is upset or worried, those feelings can shift on to them as well.

Transitioning to a Back-to-School Routine

Throughout the summer, a child’s daily schedule can vary significantly and they may have difficulty getting into the back-to-school groove. So the week before school starts, transition back to the child’s normal school routine with set bedtime and wake-up times.

Let children pick out their clothes at night and gather all of their school items together. For younger children, let them pick from two shirts you have selected. The older children can plan their entire outfit. This not only gives them a feeling of empowerment, but will also help everyone get out the door on time in the morning.

Parents should also spend time asking questions about their child’s day. Set aside quality time with your child to ask about what they learned, review any papers they have (artwork they created, homework, tests, etc.) and listen to what they have planned for tomorrow. It’s important to never do a child’s homework, but always make it clear to them that you are available to help or answer any questions they may have.

Back-to-School Stress

During this time, parents should watch for signs of back-to-school stress. Symptoms can include headaches, stomach-aches, tension at bedtime and difficult or emotional good-byes. Make an effort to spend extra time with your child – maybe going to the park, out for ice cream, etc. Talk about their feelings and concerns about school and reassure them that this is normal. Try to help them work through their fears.

If symptoms persist, parents should not hesitate to speak with the child’s teacher or family physician.

About Learning Care Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Novi, Mich., Learning Care Group, Inc. provides early education and care services to children between the ages of six weeks and 12 years under its umbrella of brands: The Children’s Courtyard, Childtime Learning Centers, La Petite Academy, Montessori Unlimited and Tutor Time Child Care / Learning Centers.

Between these five brands, Learning Care Group has approximately 1,100 schools (corporate and franchise) with a system-wide capacity to serve close to 167,000 children in the U.S. and internationally.

Learning Care Group, Inc.
Amy Popp, 248-697-9140
apopp@learningcaregroup.com