{"id":174000000862,"date":"2020-07-21T14:31:59","date_gmt":"2020-07-21T18:31:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kidsrkids.com\/avalon-park\/?p=174000000862"},"modified":"2020-07-22T13:54:55","modified_gmt":"2020-07-22T17:54:55","slug":"new-vpk-school-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kidsrkids.com\/avalon-park\/2020\/07\/21\/new-vpk-school-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Ready for New VPK School Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

The new school year is quickly approaching! It’s time for many families to begin planning for their little one to enroll in preschool. This transition may feel especially hard this year due to the pandemic. Preschool is going to look different to protect children, families, and staff. While schools’ health and safety practices have changed, our goal to create a positive environment where your child will thrive hasn’t.<\/p>\n

Health & Safety<\/h2>\n
\"Vpk<\/figure>\n

The well-being and safety of the children, families, and\u00a0staff that we serve has always been our highest priority. Throughout this\u00a0pandemic, we have been paying close attention to the guidelines and\u00a0recommendations provided by our local Public Health Department, the Centers for\u00a0Disease Control and Prevent, and the World Health Organization.<\/p>\n

When your child attends Kids’ R Kids, you can expect:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Increased Sanitation<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0All surfaces in our\u00a0facility are disinfected multiple times a day, before and after use.<\/p>\n

Staff Wearing Masks<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0All of our teachers and\u00a0staff wear masks.<\/p>\n

Frequent Handwashing<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Teachers practice\u00a0frequent hand washing and ensure that the children also follow handwashing\u00a0procedures<\/p>\n

Limited Contact<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0No unplanned, outside visitors\u00a0are allowed on the premises.<\/p>\n

Keyless Entry<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0All locked doors have keyless\u00a0entry at all times.<\/p>\n

While these safety precautions may be different, Kids’ R\u00a0Kids methodology has not changed. We still have a whole-child approach to early\u00a0childhood education. Our goal is to strengthen and encourage every child in our\u00a0care in an environment that helps them to grow emotionally, intellectually,\u00a0socially, and physically.<\/p>\n

How to Choose a VPK program<\/h2>\n

Are you wondering if Kids ‘R Kids offers the best voluntary prekindergarten (VPK)<\/a> program for your child? We know that choosing a VPK program for the first time can be overwhelming! That’s why we encourage parents to contact us to learn more about our learning center and teachers.<\/p>\n

There are many ways to evaluate the quality of a preschool\u00a0program for your child. Suzanne Bouffard, a writer for the\u00a0Harvard Graduate School of Education\u00a0and researcher\u00a0focused on child development and education, has shared five key things to look\u00a0for:<\/p>\n

Teachers and staff who communicate in nurturing and encouraging ways to children.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Early childhood learning is built on trusting relationships,\u00a0and that means that good teachers do not yell, cluck their tongues, or roll\u00a0their eyes at children. Positive relationships can be hard to define, but they\u00a0are easy to see.”<\/p>\n

Discipline for inappropriate behavior that focuses on helping children learn instead of punishing them.<\/p>\n

\"Pre-k<\/figure>\n

“All preschoolers are developing social and emotional\u00a0skills and self-regulation, like how to share toys and express frustration in\u00a0words. Good teachers build those skills with consistent routines (preferably\u00a0posted on the wall) and tools\u2026”<\/p>\n

A fun and joyful classroom where play is the primary vehicle for learning.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Play is the vehicle through which young children learn\u00a0everything from vocabulary to math to self-control. That doesn’t mean\u00a0classrooms should be a free-for-all. Teachers should continually provide new\u00a0activities and challenges, ask thought-provoking questions, and nudge children\u00a0to think deeper.”<\/p>\n

A classroom routine and schedule that allows children to be active.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Children are active. They are not expected to sit for\u00a0more than 15-20 minutes at a time, and they get plenty of outdoor time. They\u00a0are also active contributors to the classroom; they get to choose their\u00a0activities, and their work covers the walls.”<\/p>\n

Happy staff that is supported by the school.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Working with young children is a tough job, and\u00a0teachers are more successful when they receive regular professional development\u00a0and planning time, not to mention a livable wage and benefits like health\u00a0insurance and paid time off. Don’t be afraid to ask the director about these\u00a0factors and rates of teacher turnover. (Consistently high turnover can be a\u00a0warning sign of\u00a0systemic problems.)”<\/p>\n

You can also use this helpful\u00a0Family Checklist for Evaluating VPK Programs\u00a0from the\u00a0Early Learning Coalition.<\/p>\n

Preparing\u00a0your Child to Transition from Home to School<\/h2>\n

The last two weeks before preschool are especially important to prepare you and your toddler for your new routine.<\/p>\n

You can make the transition easier by:<\/strong><\/p>\n