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Warmer weather means summer is on its way. And while that means longer days, more sunshine and extra time outdoors, it also means that you need to start thinking about summer camp for your pre-k age child.
If you’re looking to keep your pre-k child busy during the summer break with some out-of-the-home activities, it might be worth considering a pre-k summer camp. Contrary to what you might think, summer camps are not just for older kids going on sleep-away adventures. There is a wide variety of options for all age groups offering different choices such as half-day or full-day and specialty vs. general interest options.
Summer camps for pre-k are usually offered by well-established programs such as preschools, day care centers, nursery schools or even local schools. There may also be the option of attending specialty camps that focus on a particular area of interest such as art, dance or music, but these are generally for older children.
Choosing the right summer camp will depend on a few factors such as the times available, what you want from the camp and whether the programs and facilities on offer are a good fit for your child. Two of the most important questions to ask yourself are whether the camp can fit in with your schedule and whether the program will be geared towards the needs of your child.
What hours do you need?
One of the practical considerations for choosing a particular summer camp is the length of the daily program. If you work, you might need longer hours to fit in with your schedule. When choosing the program for your child you will need to consider your child’s energy levels, what transportation facilities are available and which activities are offered.
Camp can be quite demanding for a pre-k age child, so if you are choosing a full day program ensure that there are some rest times scheduled throughout the day. This could include story time, quiet play, nap times or even watching a movie. It is also helpful if there is the option to start with a half-day and increase it to full-day if your child is enjoying their time and coping well.
Is the program age-appropriate?
For any summer camp, the focus should be on having fun in a learning environment. As such the program should combine free play time with projects and activities that are specifically tailored to the right age group. These activities should draw on different educational elements (such as STEAM, history, literature, and geography) in a way that is engaging and age-appropriate.
It’s also important to look at the equipment that will be used; it should be safe and clean and specifically geared towards use by pre-k age children.
Also important is to check that the counselors have experience working with young children as they have needs that are specific to their age group. This might include learning about how to go to the bathroom and helping children overcome separation anxiety.
Finding a camp that perfectly suits the needs of you and your child is possible if you work through the questions covered above. Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Circa / FishHawk offers a well-supervised, enriching camp for junior and senior campers. In addition to different weekly themes, they offer an age-appropriate program for preschool pre-k, kindergarten and elementary aged children. In order to make the process as easy for you as possible, they offer extended hours, nutritious meals and snacks for your child, weekly field trips, fun sports and lots more.
In addition to offering summer camps, Kids ‘R’ Kids has a wide variety of child care and early education programs. They expertly combine a safe, nurturing environment with education activities designed to captivate and stimulate your child.