San Diego Child Care Events & Updates

March 23, 2018 by WeeCarePreschools

How to Celebrate National Nutrition Month at Home and School

“Invest in Yourself – Buy Nutrition” was the theme for the first National Nutrition Month. It was created in 1973 by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The ADA is known now as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It actually started as a week long to begin with, but has expanded to a full month to reach more people.

This month of awareness is meant to help everyone focus on the many benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, of which nutrition plays a key part.

There are a lot of ways to celebrate National Nutrition Month both at home and at school. Looking for the best way to help the information be effective and stick? Make it fun!

Here are a few ideas to help you get started.:

Create a theme for each week which focuses on a particular aspect of a healthy lifestyle.

For example:

Week One – MyPlate – what it is and how it can help you eat healthy food
Week Two – Why choose whole grains?
Week Three – How to read nutrition labels
Week Four – Get moving every day!

Supermarket scavenger hunt

Take a class field trip to the local supermarket (or parents, take your kids shopping with you) and make a game out of finding healthy food choices.

Using an “I spy” type of game, give the kids clues about the food you’re talking about.

For example, you could say, “I spy something orange, it grows in the ground and is a bunny’s favorite food”.
Or, “I see something that’s bright red, grows on a tree and is delicious in a pie.”
Another way to have fun learning about nutrition? Have the older kids come up with their own clues that they can then share with the younger ones!

[Read more…]

February 27, 2018 by WeeCarePreschools

Cool Places to Visit in Chula Vista with your Preschooler

Wondering where to take your family on your next vacation? Why don’t you head over to Chula Vista? Chula Vista offers plenty of lovely spots and exciting attractions that are highly recommended for families with kids. It is a lovely community with endless options for dining, shopping and activities. From the parks and playgrounds to the unique indoor play spaces, Chula Vista has a lot to offer to make your preschooler enjoy their vacation. Here are some of the cool places to visit and explore in the city of Chula Vista.

Jump Around Now

Jump Around Now is an excellent place for the whole family. It is not only for kids to enjoy but for those who are kids at heart. Jump Around Now is not like any other child adventure park or inflatable playground out there. It is one of the best because of the many exciting things to do. There’s the trampoline for kids and an obstacle course for adults. It is a perfect venue for enjoying some quality time while having fun with your little ones.

The Playground

The Playground offers several different toys for kids to play with. It is safe and also very clean. The staff is constantly cleaning and sanitizing everything. There are always new toys and features every time you visit. They have the bounce house obstacle course, a huge tic tac toe game, trampoline, ball pits and a lot more. Bringing your kids to The Playground will not only give them an enjoyable time, it will also give them the opportunity to meet and play with other kids.

Living Coast Discovery Center

If your children are fond of animals, you should make a stop at the Living Coast Discovery Center. Here you can see several different animals, birds, amphibians, sea creatures and a lot more. Getting to see these animals up close and even getting the chance to feed them, is an amazing experience for kids of all ages. They also have educational presentations conducted by an interactive animal keeper. This place not only offers fun and enjoyment for your young children, it also provides a great learning experience.

Montevalle Community Park

Kids love playing outdoors. Montevalle Community Park is a must visit! This place is even perfect for dogs or pets. There are wide, green open play fields that feature dog parks and playgrounds. Kids can play and run to their heart’s content. There’s also a baseball field where you can play as a family or even play Frisbee. Montevalle Community Park has something for everyone. They have all the activities perfect for people of all ages to enjoy.

Mon Petite Chateau

When the weather isn’t really good for outdoor activity, bring your kids to Mon Petite Chateau. Mon Petite Chateau is an indoor space that features different play areas for children of all ages. This is a perfect place for them to have fun, and at the same time, make good use of their imagination and creativity. The play areas include a train, airplane, castle and a boutique. And while your little ones are busy having fun and getting along with other kids, you can take a bite or have a good cup of coffee at their French-inspired café.

Play Town

Play Town is an indoor play park and another amazing place to go especially with toddlers and younger children. The environment is safe and kids will surely have a great time playing. There are plenty of toys and activities for them. Play Town creates the perfect opportunity for children to play and make friends with others, boosting their confidence and helping to improve their social skills.

Chula Vista is indeed full of several exciting and educational places and activities that all families will love. And if you are looking for a preschool that values your child’s education, consider our Chula Vista preschool.

February 26, 2018 by WeeCarePreschools

Healthy Eating, Your Kids and National Snack Food Month

February is National Snack Food Month. This is the perfect opportunity to show your kids how healthy snacks are the best snacks for their growing minds and bodies!

Let’s face it, kids aren’t always enthusiastic about healthy eating.

But both parents and educators know the more interested and involved a kid is with what they’re trying to do, the more enthusiastic and engaged they’ll be.

This makes for easy teaching and better retention – a win-win for kids and the ones teaching them!

And it is possible to get them interested in trying new foods – if you make “fun” the name of the game!

Here’s how:

They’re watching you

Like it or not, your kids are always watching what you do.

If they see Mom and Dad choose – and enjoy – healthy foods and beverages, they may be more open to trying something new.

Focus on the food’s benefits

Talk about the benefits of the food on your child’s plate, not the fact that it’s “healthy”. The idea that something is “healthy” is a distant concept for a child, especially young children. Tell them something like “the cheese will give you strong muscles” or “make you powerful”, or whatever phrase you think will appeal to your child.

If they have a favorite superhero or sports figure, try to find a way to tie their attributes (e.g. strength, speed, etc.) to the benefit of eating the food.

Eye appeal

Think color, crunch, and healthy fats.

Make the food as appealing to the eye as possible:

combine different colors
use different cuts (e.g. round disks vs thin strips)
try different flavors (mozzarella, cheddar)
cut and/or arrange into fun shapes

Make it a game

Take the kids grocery shopping. Ask them to help find vegetables and fruits in every color of the rainbow.

Once you’re home, have them help you prepare the foods for quick snacking options throughout the week. Bagging their own portions helps them feel more involved.

Let them decide

To get kids more excited about eating healthy foods give them several healthy choices for at least one of their meals.

For example, if it’s lunch time, let them choose among options such as pitas, wraps or English muffins made with whole grains. Offer lean ham, turkey or chicken and low fat cheese slices for the filling.

Let them help

Research has shown that kids who spend time in the kitchen will choose a wider variety of foods and tend towards decisions which are healthier.

Give your kids age appropriate tasks in the kitchen to expose them to all of the aspects of their food preparation. When possible, let them put together their own meals as they’re much more likely to eat their own creations!

Keep trying

Research has shown that it takes as many as 15 tries before a kid will try a new food. So if they turn their nose up at a new food, keep introducing it and eventually they will give it a try. Even if they don’t like it the first time they try it, over time their taste buds develop and change. They may grow to like it.

Snack ideas

There are thousands of great, healthy snack ideas for kids. Here are just a few:

“Ants on a log” (celery filled with peanut butter and raisins)
Fresh or canned fruit (canned in 100% juice) served with low fat yogurt
Low-fat cheese sticks or cubes
Whole grain crackers or rice cakes topped with peanut butter or thin cheese slices
Popcorn (air-popped)
Quesadillas (whole wheat tortilla stuffed with low-fat melted cheese)
Baked tortilla chips
Whole wheat pita bread with hummus
Fresh fruit
Applesauce
Homemade trail mix (portioned)

Set the rules

Give them beverage choices such as water, low-fat milk or 100% fruit juice (portioned) to keep them hydrated. Require they ask before they grab a snack.

To promote mindful eating, insist that snacks be eaten at the table or in the kitchen, not in front of the TV or computer.

Getting kids interested in eating healthy foods isn’t always easy, but it is always worth the effort!

January 25, 2018 by WeeCarePreschools

6 Things Your Child Will Learn in Our Chula Vista Preschool

Preschool may look like it’s all fun and games. But in reality, there’s actually a tremendous amount of learning going on inside and outside of a preschool classroom. Preschool is filled with wondrous times when child growth and development happens. To make sure that little ones reach their full learning potential, consider a school that will promote their brain development, as well as their social, physical and emotional development. Wee Care Preschools, our Chula Vista preschool, offers a preschool program that focuses on the holistic growth and development of children.

If you are considering Wee Care Preschools for your preschooler, here are six things your child will learn in our Chula Vista preschool.

Social skills

Children learn how to make friends and interact with their peers in preparation for Kindergarten. Our preschool teachers will give your kids activities and opportunities to work with and trust other people outside their family. When at home, little ones would usually play with their siblings, cousins or neighbors. But school is where their social skills are further developed. It is in preschool that they are introduced to new children their age. The teachers ensure that they create the kind of environment that will teach kids how to get along well with others.

Language and literacy

The language skills of a child grow vastly from the time they are 3 until they reach 5. To help reach their full potential when it comes to their language and literacy skills, consider enrolling them in preschool. In preschool, we will teach the kids the alphabet and the sounds that the letters make. These are the prerequisite to learning how to read and write. When they are familiar with the alphabet, they will learn how to write their names even if it looks more like a scribble than a name.

Cognitive skills

Enrolling your child in our Chula Vista preschool can help promote brain development. In the preschool stage, their cognitive skills are growing at a rapid rate. Kids will be given tasks and activities that will encourage them to think deeper and ask questions, investigate and practice their problem-solving skills. Our teachers will provide, fun and at the same time, challenging tasks that will help improve their overall cognitive reactions.

Motor skills

Most children are restless and they love to do a lot of physical activities like running and playing. In our school, we have a preschool program that will facilitate and encourage this active nature of your little ones to continually develop their growing motor skills. We have plenty of activities that will boost their motor skills while they are entertained and are having fun. They will play games and have guided activities. Children will also be given a chance to create art projects and crafts to develop the fine-tuned motor skills that children need.

Math preparations

Preschool is the best time to prepare kids for Mathematics. This is when they will start understanding basic numbers and be able to count from 1 to 10. In preschool, children are given the chance to partake in games that involve counting, sorting and matching. They will learn how to associate numbers with corresponding objects.

Imaginative and cooperative play

Our Chula Vista preschool uses a play-based approach because we believe that play is an essential part of child development. It is through play that children are able to practice their problem-solving skills, develop their sense of self and expand their imagination. Preschoolers also learn best when they are having fun and when they are entertained with the activities given to them. In our preschool, our teachers know how to strike the right balance between lectures or discussions and games and play activities.

If your child is heading to preschool soon, consider choosing Wee Care Preschools. We have a preschool program designed to help your child grow and develop in all areas.

January 24, 2018 by WeeCarePreschools

How to Help Kids Explore Their Interests During National Hobby Month

Every kid should have something they enjoy doing outside of school. National Hobby Month is a great way to help your child explore hobbies he may not be aware of!

Why hobbies?

Adults aren’t the only ones who benefit from having a hobby.Hobbies are an enjoyable way to gain new skills and learn something new about yourself and the world around you.Children who excel at something grow to perform well at other tasks because of the confidence they gain from their hobbies.

When your child enjoys one or more hobbies she will:

Develop strong social and emotional skills
Grow academically
Learn to be more patient
Gain a sense of accomplishment which leads to confidence in other areas
Develop willpower, concentration, determination and dedication
Learn how to set – and meet – goals
Feel more confident when asked to try new things
Develop good reading habits by actively participating in a hobby; not sitting passively and being entertained (e.g. reading vs watching tv)

National Hobby Month — Preschoolers enjoy playing football on the field.

Kids who excel at something tend to define themselves by what they’re good at. For example, think back to your school days.

Maybe you had someone in your class who always had his head in an engine fixing up old cars, or maybe your friend always knew the best fishing holes.

Each kid was the best at his particular hobby, and because he loved it so much – and grew to be competent at it – he became an authority among his peers.

What do your kids enjoy doing?

Your kids are probably already enjoying a hobby, but they may not think of it in those terms. For our purposes, a hobby is simply defined as an activity done outside of work or school that you enjoy doing.You may have thought of some things your kids love to do already. But are there other things they have shown an interest in that you can explore this month?

How to help your child explore her interests

Take some time this month to brainstorm ideas with your child. Encourage her to think of all the hobbies that people do, all across the globe.Then, narrow down the list to those things which interest her as well as those things you believe she might enjoy if she gave them a try.

Ask her to choose which one she’d like to try first and help her get started. Of course, some hobbies may be more realistic – such as stamp collecting or scrapbooking – than others, such as falconry or deep sea diving! So it’s important to discuss all the factors that go into choosing a hobby.

Even if it’s not practical to help your child start a particular hobby, that doesn’t mean you can’t explore the idea. Look for videos and/or articles about people doing the hobby(ies) that interest your child.

National Hobby Month is the perfect opportunity to take some time to help your children explore different hobbies. They’ll never know what they can do until they try it!

Alex Kahn

20:09 18 Sep 23

Maziar Sefidan

05:40 31 May 23

After 6 years (2 kids) at Wee Care we say with high certainty that this is a solid childcare/preschool.Things we like:1. Staff is great. We've had a number of teachers as our kids have progressed through the age groups and we haven't had one that we haven't liked.2. Director (Diane) is a great communicator and generally runs a tight ship.3. Lunch is included. Thank goodness; one less worry in the crazy morning.4. Excellent hours and schedule. Something like 6:30AM to 6:00PM daily with only a handful of holidays unlike many other preschools where the hours are unfriendly to working parents and preschool is out for extended periods during the holidays.5. Reasonable prices (although some increases lately but i don't mind the staff getting raises and cost of living adjustments). Still a pretty good deal.Things that could improve:Not gonna sugar coat it, but the location behind a strip mall was a little off-putting at first until "we got over ourselves". It's about the kids, not how fancy the facilities look. Our kids liked it there and never complained; both fully prepared for kinder socially and academically. They are fully accredited and certified, staff is great, turnover is low; these are what's really important.

Jared Marais

19:25 19 May 23

Grant Weaver

16:23 03 Apr 23

With two kids and both me and my wife working full time - I have a lot of experience with Preschools and Daycares, and WeeCare consistently has provided top tier education and service at an incredible price point.I am consistently amazed by the things my son learns and brings back each day: he loves the alphabet, learning, and will know the proper names of animals that even I have trouble remembering. My daughter was in a different WeeCare years ago, but I was likewise always impressed by the things she was learning and the skills she gained here - it certainly gave her a huge leg up when she joined Elementary.WeeCare in Rancho Bernardo (now a different company) was my first preschool, so I didn't realize what I had until they left, and I went through several other schools trying to find the quality that I originally had.The biggest factor (in my opinion) is that both had the excellent guidance of Preschool Director Diane Martine. She has always been responsive, helpful, and I think she does a great job picking the best teachers for the kids. She was also very helpful and understanding during the time when my son was lagging a bit on potty training, and helped to catch him up with the wonderful teachers she has employed. Big shout out to all the incredible teachers who are patient, always on top of informing us if there is owies, or things to help our kids grow and learn, and are always available and responsive to our questions.Thank you WeeCare - it's tough being a parent right now, and it's a HUGE worry off of our shoulders to know our kids are being taken care of.

Naomi C.

20:30 23 Mar 22

It is more affordable than other day cares in San Diego. They also have more availability than other day cares. My daughter loved going to Wee Care! She had so much fun and made so many friends. She enjoyed going to Wee Care and loved her teachers and teachers assistants. Whenever an issue was raised, the staff was quick to resolve it. My daughter is in Kindergarten now, but she always remembers this school and talks about wanting to come back for a visit. Thank you Wee Care for nurturing growing minds.

Melissa Manns

17:21 16 Oct 19

We love WEE CARE! The facility is nice and clean. We love that they provide their meals. Our son loves his teachers and looks forward to going to school. The new director seems very sweet and we've always had positive interactions with her. Definitely recommend!

April Gossett

05:25 18 Dec 14

Our daughter has been going there since April. We absolutely love this place. They are so engaging with the children and they actually TEACH the children during classroom time. When I picked my daughter up a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving she was telling me all about cornucopias...I was blown away because she completely knew what it was and she is only 4!! Because of Wee Care she enjoys learning and doing crafts. They also offer Spanish class, dance class, as well as other programs for a really good price. My daughter is actually taking Spanish right now and is on the wait list for the dance class. I am really really happy we found this place and I know that she will be beyond ready for kindergarten.