San Diego Child Care Events & Updates

April 20, 2017 by David Suder

7 Ways STEM Projects Benefit Your Child

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education programs are becoming more popular and taking a greater role in school, but what do these programs offer your child and will participation in them really make a difference in cognitive development?

Knowing the benefits of this curriculum which is based on four disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) will help you make better decisions for your child’s at Chula Vista Preschool education. Read the 7 ways this education program benefits your child.

Practical Knowledge They Can Use Tomorrow

1. Affects All Areas of Daily Life

Importance of STEM education } Wee Care Preschools — Children learn by observing

The four disciplines that make up STEM education have a place in everyday tasks. Having knowledge of how things work together to help our daily lives progress is important in educating a truly well-rounded student. The program relies on presenting young children with materials and activities based on things they see daily. The National Education Association agrees that scientific learning in early childhood should come from observing nature as well as simple scientific experimentation.

2. Children who are exposed to this education early will do better in school

Young children are naturally curious and will ask more questions about the world around them as they develop more complex cognitive abilities. This characteristic has been shown to encourage a love of learning and to make learning intrinsically rewarding for kids. These programs know how to appeal to this innate curiosity.

Teaching these topics is based on asking questions and encouraging discussion between kids and teachers and in groups with classmates. In other words, kids are not spoon-fed information, rather their critical thinking skills are cultured. This leads to better grades as they get older and critical thinking becomes more important to academic achievement than simply remembering facts for a test then forgetting them.

3. It’s a fun way to teach children essential life skills and facts

Teaching the four main subjects in a single program and in a way that appeals to children of all ages is easy due to the many engaging activities and interesting materials that can be used to help children acquire these skills. The importance of STEM education is that it teaches the whole child, or is a holistic program. Each activity uses the child’s current level of thinking and past learning and builds on it.

Educators give children a lot of positive encouragement and help build the child’s self-esteem. Many of the lessons and activities require that children work together, which helps develop their social skills. Fine motor skills are exercised when they have to handle small objects and write observations while gross motor skills are essential for moving large body muscles.

4. The program can be tailored to accommodate all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels.

Children as young as three and four can engage in STEM activities using appropriate materials. The materials, like those used in Chula Vista Preschool, are carefully selected to appeal to the children in each classroom while ensuring their safety.

As children develop and progress through their education, the importance of each subject becomes more pronounced. Older children are gradually given more complex materials and pieces to manipulate, and taught more complicated concepts.

5. Teachers receive training and collaborate with other educators

Teachers receive training in teaching best practices when delivering lessons. A school may require teachers to spend a certain number of hours or days. There is also a large amount of professional collaboration that goes into developing and implementing a successful teaching program. These teacher training program continue to improve to meet child’s needs.

Lifelong Benefits of Program

6. Acquiring professional skills

STEM education | Wee Care Preschools — Kids acquire professional skills

One of the benefits of the learning program is that young children learn skills and facts that are required across different areas of life. Science continues to have a role in helping us lead healthier lives, including how to eat better and stay safer. Knowledge of technology is now a basic requirement for any job. The same is true for engineering and essential mathematical reasoning ability. Having the ability to think critically and creatively about these topics can set them apart in their future careers.

Parents Are Partners

7. Parents are partners in their child’s education

An important step in developing a great program is to keep parents informed about their children’s progress and how to reinforce learning at home. Effective educators know that parents are partners in a child’s education and their involvement in their child’s learning is essential.

Help your child start acquiring the benefits of STEM education today. Contact us now for any questions about the program.

April 15, 2017 by WeeCarePreschools

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month: Take Action!

What is NCAPM All About?

April of 2017 marks the 34th year of National Child Abuse Prevention Month (NCAPM), a time dedicated to raising awareness of this devastating social issue and ending child abuse once and for all.

Since 1983, this month has been a time for communities to have a dialogue about the ways to not only stop the abuse of children, but providing education and resources for families and young adults to make sure that the abuse and neglect of children doesn’t carry on for even one more generation.

**What the Statistics Say (And What they Don’t Say)**

child abuse | Wee Care Preschools — Cases of abuse are still high

Are the numbers of abuse victims still high enough to warrant a month of awareness and advocacy? Sadly, the answer remains an absolute “yes”.

Despite what you might think, America still has a huge abuse and neglect problem. Current statistics report a staggering 3 million children a year who deal with some form of abuse. Sadly, these are just the cases that are reported; we will likely never know the true statistics.

This is one of the worst rates of abuse in any industrialized nation. The time has come to say, “Enough!” We can do better, which is why each April we renew our promise to the children of America.

Time Can’t Heal All Wounds: Ongoing Symptoms of Abuse

Abuse would be bad enough if the hurting ended with sores and bruises, but abuse creates many scars that do not manifest until later in life (often manifesting in dangerously rebellious teenage or young adult behavior).

Over time, the young victims of abuse may also be affected by the following issues:

Increased tendency towards drug and alcohol abuse
Serious depression, including suicide attempts
Higher instances of “risk-seeking” behavior, such as multiple sexual partners, and other unsafe sexual practices
An almost 80% instance of some type of psychological disorder

The list of effects is startling, but what is most unacceptable are the nearly 1,600 children who died as a result of abuse last year. Until that number reaches zero, the NCAPM will advocate and raise awareness of these issues affecting countless American families.

History of the NCAPM

Did you know that the first specific laws regarding child abuse were only signed in 1974? While we’ve certainly come a long way since then, there is still a social stigma and problem of reportage and awareness that we need to deal with as a nation.

What started as a single week of awareness in 1982 became a full-fledged month of action starting in 1983, and the events and actions have inspired the creation of new laws and statutes that aim to eliminate harm to innocent and vulnerable children.

Whether in your own community, online, or by joining a larger march or event somewhere near you, you can become part of the NCAPM’s history this April–don’t wait until next year.

Ideas to Get Involved

There are many ways you can participate in this nationwide awareness month. Activities can be simple:

Organizing a block party or “meet and greet” with your neighbors
Attending parent meetings at your children’s school
Finding city or government-organized events for NCAPM

Or, you can organize with other parents and local families to put on bigger events, such as:

Running for local office or a PTA board
Attending and speaking at local government meetings (such as city council)
Organizing letter-writing campaigns and petitions

Keep in mind, these are just a few ideas. Be creative and think about new and interesting ways that you can help children and families who have been affected by neglect and/or abuse.

Moving Our Communities and Families Forward

Whether you visit the official NCAPM website (provided by the government’s Child Welfare Agency) or you find local events to raise awareness, the important thing is to get involved. It’s also important to remember that April is only the beginning–staying vigilant and engaged in your family and community throughout the year is the best defense we have against future abuse and neglect.

For too long, the victims and families who have suffered from abuse and neglect have been silent. April is a time for these voices to be heard, loud and clear. Now is the time–take a stand against abuse and neglect!

March 30, 2017 by David Suder

What are the Benefits of Gymnastics for Children?

Did you know that there are so many benefits of gymnastics for children? Youngsters are energetic. They love to bop and hop, jump and twirl, roll and leap! You certainly have to admire their boundless energy! As parents, we have the opportunity to help our kids harness that energy. Gymnastics is the perfect activity for young children. It makes use of their natural affinity for movement. It directs their overflowing energy towards something more structured and productive. Wee Care Preschool, located in Chula Vista, California, offers children’s gymnastic classes. Go ahead and enroll your child in this healthy and fun activity! The little rascals won’t even know they’re hard at work, building muscles and bone strength! Not only that, but they will feel so accomplished when they show off their first somersault! Perhaps they can even teach us a few tricks!

Why Gymnastics is Important

This 200-year-old sport is a popular highlight of the Olympic Games. Why do we love watching it so much? Perhaps the sport’s high intensity and dynamic quality attract us. Or the displays of exceptional precision impress us. Gymnastics shows off the human body’s wondrous capabilities. It astounds us with almost miraculous feats of extreme agility, control, and strength.

Professional gymnasts inspire us all to reach a little farther and jump a little higher, even as we cheer from the sidelines. Wouldn’t you love to be cheering for your little one as they tumble with joy? Give your tyke rewarding experiences that make you both feel good.

Of course gymnastics is super fun; however, there are also many health benefits of gymnastics! With regular classes, your child can literally get a “jump start” on development. This activity challenges the whole body, from head to toe. Gymnastics classes offer your child a foundation on which to build a lifetime appreciation for fitness. While physical training has so many beneficial qualities for the body, it also works wonders for the mind! The rigor and discipline needed in gymnastics class carry through into other aspects of a young child’s life. After all, it’s never too early to try your best.

What are the Values of Gymnastics

There are countless benefits of gymnastics for children. The list below names just a few.

Develops the body. Your child will become more aware of their body. They will develop coordination and basic skill-building. The regularity of gymnastic exercises will also increase muscle strength and flexibility.
Builds confidence. Accomplishing a new skill offers your child a badge of pride. Let them show off a little; they’ve earned it!
Introduces discipline. To meet their goals, little gymnasts must work hard. It is important for kids to experience this correlation between focused effort and goal achievement.
Cognitive skill development. According to studies, cognitive skills are higher in children who take part in activities that engage both mind and body. (Barrett, 1998)
Exploration and discovery of their body. Children have a natural curiosity about the world, which includes their own body. Gymnastics provides room for exploration so children can follow their curiosity. It lets them figure out how their limbs move.
Provides socialization with peers and teaches etiquette. In gymnastic classes, students are part of a team. They are obliged to support one another, treat everyone with respect and follow all the rules. This sets them up with yet another skill: how to get along with others.

Go For It!

Gymnastics are a fun way to channel the abundant energy of your child. Watch them jump, roll, and spin! Cheer them on as they try new things! After every session, your child will feel fully satisfied and, hopefully, even a bit tired.

For children, gymnastics is all fun and games. Parents know that gymnastics lessons also assist in development. Your child will gain physical

strength, flexibility, and coordination over their body. Not only will their cognitive skills improve, but also their confidence and discipline. They will develop a healthy relationship with their own body. Also, their social skills will flourish.

Your little gymnast will grow up to be a fit, social and confident individual who doesn’t fear a challenge. Your little one might even become an Olympic gymnast and inspire a new generation of children. Become an even prouder parent and contact us today! We invite your child to join our gymnastics lessons at the Chula Vista day care. Let your child take the plunge and experiences classes himself. They’re fun; they’re healthy! You simply can’t lose. The benefits of gymnastics are plenty!

March 21, 2017 by David Suder

It’s National Kidney Disease Month. Read These Tips for Better Kidney Health

Your kidneys are very important organs in your body. Taking proper care of them will help you live better and longer. Many people don’t understand kidney disease or how to prevent it. For National Kidney Disease Month, you can learn how to better care for your kidneys and prevent disease.

Get Tested

Kidney failure is a slow and progressive disease that usually has no noticeable symptoms. Kidney disease awareness is important. Unless your kidneys have been injured in an accident, you may not know you have kidney disease without medical testing. Your doctor can perform a few types of tests to determine kidney function. These are usually blood tests or urine tests.

The blood test for kidney function is called glomular filtration rate or GFR. This measures the amount of creatine in your blood. Creatine is a waste product produced by working muscles. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering this waste from the blood. If the kidneys are not working properly, this acid will build up to unsafe levels in the blood stream.

The urine test for kidney function is called albumin-to-creatine ratio or ACR. The urine is tested for the protein albumin. This protein that should not be found in urine. If the test is positive, it indicates your kidneys are not functioning as well as they should.
There are five stages of disease that lead to kidney failure. There is no way to correct full kidney failure, so it is a life-threatening disease. The best option for a person in the advanced stages is a kidney transplant. Health can be maintained with dialysis, but this does not heal the kidneys.

Diabetes and Sugar

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of kidney failure. When you have diabetes, your body has trouble maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering your blood, so when you have high blood sugar your kidneys are under a lot of pressure to balance your system. They eventually become overloaded and begin to fail.

There are many things that may contribute to developing diabetes. Sometimes the disease is genetic, and there isn’t much you can do about that. Most diabetes, however, is brought on by a poor diet. Excess sugar in the diet is one of the leading causes of diabetes. It is important to avoid excess sugar. The American Heart Association recommends that children consume no more than six teaspoons of added sugar per day. This is also a good rule for adults to follow. Diabetes can affect a person of any age. The sooner you take steps to avoid it, the healthier your kidneys will be.

Salt and Blood Pressure

Blood pressure also has a major impact on kidney function. When blood pressure is high, more blood is forced through the sensitive tissues of the kidney faster. Over time, this may damage the kidney tissue that filters the blood. This tissue is very difficult to heal once damaged.

Too much sodium in the diet contributes to high blood pressure. Salt may also pose a danger to the kidneys directly. Sometimes minerals like sodium will harden in the kidneys. The result is a kidney stone. The kidney eventually forces the stone through the kidney tissue. The process is very painful. It may also damage the kidney tissue, which reduces function. The damage caused by passing a kidney stone often does not heal. A scar will form that is never able to filter any blood.
You do not have to eliminate all salt from your diet, but you should keep it to a healthy level. This means not adding salt to most foods and avoiding processed foods already high in salt. You can help balance sodium levels by also getting plenty of potassium from food and drinking plenty of water each day.

Drinking Too Much

Your kidneys are responsible for getting toxic substances out of your blood stream. Alcohol is highly toxic to the body, so your kidneys work extra hard to get rid of it. When you drink too much, you put strain on your kidneys and may damage them.

Alcohol also dehydrates you. Your kidneys’ other job is to maintain the right balance of water in your body. Consuming alcohol can make this job much more difficult. Over time, this may result in lost kidney function.
It is important to know how much is too much. Three drinks or less per day is considered safe for your body and is unlikely to cause serious problems.

Your diet has a lot to do with your kidney health. By maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol and smoking and choosing healthy foods most of the time, you can keep both your kidneys functioning for your entire life. Many of the conditions that lead to kidney disease are preventable.

March 3, 2017 by David Suder

Good Nutrition Made Simple: What to Remember During National Nutrition Month

If you feel like you’ve fallen off the healthy habit bandwagon, you’re in luck. March is National Nutrition Month, so it is the perfect time to tackle that health commitment you made at the beginning of the year with renewed energy.

You may be wondering why we celebrate nutrition month and how it can help you get back on track. It’s simple really. Nutrition Month is a time set aside to focus on the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy eating and exercise habits.

This year the National Nutrition Month theme is “Put Your Best Fork Forward.” So instead of feeling like you have to change everything at once, you can start small, with just one fork at a time. Whether your eating habits involve preparing meals at home or making choices while eating out, it’s important to develop a way of eating that is sustainable.

Are you ready to join the movement? Then here are a few effective ways you can start putting your best fork forward.

Eat a balanced, varied diet.
Eating a variety of nutrient dense foods across all of the food groups reduces your risk of many preventable and primarily lifestyle-based chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Work to incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into your daily diet.
Choose lighter options while dining out.
Finding healthy options at restaurants is now easier than it ever has been. Most restaurant chains offer lighter, healthier choices. As you peruse the menu, look for options that are steamed or roasted. Likewise, ask for sauces, dressing, and cheese on the side, and control your own portions by asking for a to-go box and putting half of your meal in the box.
Set a good example for children.

If you have children, you know how quickly they pick up on things. That is why it is especially important to model good eating habits for children. This modeling begins in the kitchen. Inviting your child into the kitchen to participate in age-appropriate cooking tasks is a fun way to get young ones involved. Serving balanced meals and making the time to enjoy dinner together is also important to help your family build healthy, mindful eating habits.

Eat breakfast every day.

Breakfast is one of the most frequently skipped meals by everyone, but it’s also one of the most important. Breakfast helps get your metabolism going and sets the tone for your eating all day long. If you really don’t have time for breakfast, then at least grab a piece of fruit and a handful of nuts to give you a good mix of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats.

Drink more water.

Water is another essential to a healthy lifestyle. Your body uses water for nearly ever metabolic process it completes. If you have a hard time drinking enough water, try keeping a water bottle with you all day, using a simple tracking system, or flavoring your water with a few pieces of fresh fruit. Try to drink at least half your weight in ounces of water each day.

Adopt the “one more” mentality.

It can be tough to completely overhaul the way you eat all at once. Instead of trying to do it that way, focus on getting in just “one more” healthy food choice each day. If you struggle with veggies the most, work on fitting in one more serving each day. Then once you have that mastered, move on to another healthy habit. Doing a little at a time will make the process much easier and help you stick with it.

If you really want to make your celebration of this month fun, then consider getting involved or organizing some nutrition month activities, such as

A cooking demonstration or nutrition event
A presentation at your local park or senior center
A food donation campaign for your local food pantry or shelter
A commitment to try one new healthy recipe as a family each week
A visit to a local farmers market or farm
A “lunch and learn” on healthy eating
A scavenger hunt for healthy foods or recipe ingredients

National Nutrition Month is the perfect time to refocus on the healthy habits you started in January or to invite others to join you in your efforts. Use these tips and remember that it’s about starting small and making simple changes every day that you can stick to long term.

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.