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!

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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!

Stephanie Young

6 months ago

Our daughter spent a year here and we felt the school did a great job helping her develop as a toddler. It says a lot that she would list her teachers' names whenever we asked her who her friends were. The expanded hours are a great help for working parents, and the family programming—like the Halloween event—made us feel really connected to the staff. We can tell a lot of thought goes into the educational curriculum and the support they provide families. The meal program and affordability are also a plus!

Manuel Celedon

We cannot say enough good things about Wee Care Early Learning Center. Our daughter, Luna, spent the last year here, and the positive development we have seen in her has been incredible.

Her primary teacher, Ms. Sarah Jean, is absolutely wonderful, and the support from Ms. Maria and Ms. Coco (Nicole) was exceptional. During her time there, Luna became much more mature and her ability to self-regulate improved significantly. The teachers were true partners in parenting—they helped us navigate potty training and were there for us through multiple sleep regressions.

For us as parents, the logistics were also fantastic. The hours are very working-parent friendly, and not having to worry about meal prep was such a nice plus. It gave us total peace of mind to know that the moment we dropped Luna off, she was safe, loved, and in good hands. Highly recommended!

Vanessa Rudie

8 months ago

We were at Wee Care for three years before moving to another city, and we couldn’t have been happier. The whole staff is wonderful and caring, and it’s affordable!! Our kids loved it and learned so much!

Stefanie Benvenuto

WeeCare was an absolute gift for me as a parent who had a tough time letting go after COVID. The staff really supported my daughter exactly as she was and helped her really blossom socially. They have the exact right balance of fun/free, and educational.... we were MORE than prepared for Kindergarten. The extra programming around the holidays was such a warm and thoughtful touch and made us feel like a part of the family. Ms. Laura was a particularly special gift, and I'll forever be grateful to her for the incredible care and love she showed my daughter. Oh, and the price was far lower than all the other places we considered.

Momina Habibi

9 months ago

I cannot say enough wonderful things about this daycare center! My children have been attending for over 3 years, and it truly feels like a second home for our family. From the very beginning, the staff has been welcoming, attentive, and deeply caring. They treat every child with patience and kindness, making sure each one feels safe, loved, and valued.
The teachers are not only professional but also genuinely passionate about what they do. They take the time to understand each child’s personality and needs, encouraging growth and learning in a fun and nurturing environment. I’ve seen so much positive development in my kids — socially, emotionally, and academically — and I credit this amazing team for that.
The center is always clean, well-organized, and filled with engaging activities that keep the children excited to come back every day. As a parent, it gives me great peace of mind knowing my kids are in such capable and caring hands.
After more than three years, I can confidently say this is the best decision we’ve made for our children’s early education and care. I am so grateful for the love, dedication, and support the staff provides daily. Highly recommend to any family looking for a daycare that truly puts children first!

Nora Allen

We put our daughter in Wee Care part-time to begin. She loved it so much, we enrolled her full-time when a space was available. She loved her teachers and made great friends in the neighborhood. When her little sister was two she joined. The hours are very accommodating. Dropoff and pickup are very flexible to meet a working parent's schedule. Food provided daily is an added bonus. The girls always come home happy with fun artwork and stories from their day. My oldest is now in TK and loves picking up her sister and seeing her old teachers. I would recommend Wee Care for any working parent looking for reasonably priced care.