School age childcare programs are fun programs and engaging programs that kindergarten children and older can attend before school, after school, and during the summer and holiday breaks. Often, parents who have work schedules or family situations that make it difficult for an adult or guardian to supervise their child after the school day use school age child care to provide their child with a safe environment in which to spend their after school time.

Benefits of School Age Childcare Programs

Research has shown that quality school age childcare programs can provide children with a variety of developmental and intellectual benefits including improved academic performance, task persistence, improved work habits and study skills, and improved feelings and attitudes. These benefits are so comprehensive that federal, state and local initiatives are increasing the funding and support for school age child care programs. Approximately 6.5 million children participate in a school age after school program, and an additional 15.3 would attend if there were programs available.

The demand for school age childcare programs is increasing for two reasons. The first reason has to do with the fact that many parents are working hours that extend many hours beyond the length of the typical school day. For these parents, before and after school child care ensures that their children are supervised and safe while they are at work. The second reason has to with the many benefits of school age programs.

No matter what your reasons, below are some things to look for when choosing a quality child care program.

Not Just Daycare

A quality after school or school age childcare program of any type should be more than just a supervised day care. School age programs should be designed to complement and enrich the learning

Our staff is committed to exceptional school age childcare.

that takes place at school. Before choosing a school age program, ask the program director about age appropriate learning activities they offer.

Balance

While it is important that school age childcare offers learning activities and time to do homework, you don’t want your child to burn out on learning. That is why it is important that the school age program allows an appropriate level of autonomy and play time to the children. Research has shown that exercise and play are vital to child development. Before choosing a childcare program, ask the director about the amount of time that the kids are allowed to be kids.

Variety

Make sure that the school age childcare activities are varied and won’t risk your child becoming bored and tired. Ask about how the childcare staff come up with new, fun an exciting daily activities for your child.

Safety

Any school age childcare setting, no matter what the ages it caters to, should be devoted to the safety of the children. Make sure the child care facility is designed for safety and maintains a low child to caregiver ratio.

School Age Childcare Programs at Noah’s Ark Child Center

At Noah’s Ark Child Center in Reno, we provide high quality before and after school age childcare programs as well as programs during the holiday and seasonal breaks. Come check out all of our  program offerings and contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you!

Academic research and studies into healthy child development has continued to record the positive impact that preschool programs have on the development of children. The developmental benefits are not just academic. Preschool programs have been shown to impact nearly every area of a child’s life, learning and development, even many years into the future. And the benefits are seen across the socioeconomic spectrum.

The benefits of preschool education programs for children from low income families are especially remarkable, leading to the creation of a number of state and federal programs designed to increase the enrollment of low income children in preschool.

So you might be wondering about some of the details. Keep reading for an introduction to some of the benefits of preschool programs on child development.

Preschool prepares your child for social learning.

Academic Benefits of Preschool Programs

The academic benefits of preschool programs have been well studied and documented. According to a report on the effectiveness of New Mexico’s Pre-K initiative released by the National Institute for Early Education Research, four year old participants showed increases in math, early language and literacy skills.

Another study of Oklahoma’s preschool initiative reported that the study results “provide solid support for the benefits that such a program can have on the test scores of young children of differing ethnic and racial groups and from differing socioeconomic backgrounds.” The authors of the study go on to say that “the program appears to have its largest effects on the Letter– Word Identification subtest, which assesses pre-reading abilities; followed by the Spelling subtest, and finally the Applied Problems subtest.” Because of these statistically solid results, the authors conclude that “our research supports the proposition that a universal pre-K program financed by state government and implemented by the public schools can improve pre-reading, prewriting, and pre-numeracy skills for a diverse cross-section of young children”

Click the link for more information on the benefits of preschool.

Socialization Benefits of Preschool Education

It should be noted that preschool is first and foremost a bridge between unstructured and structured learning. From

Preschool Programs teach your child about learning with others!

birth to preschool age, your child has been learning a ton about the world and developing verbal and large and fine motor skills. These skills are generally acquired naturally during the course of normal family socialization.

But just because they appear to be easy developments doesn’t meant that they are. In fact, the first years of life are some of the most rigorous and rapid periods of intellectual and emotional growth human beings ever undergo. By the time they are ready to start preschool, children are already well adapted learners.

The role of preschool is to guide learning in a more structured way and to ensure that age appropriate social skills are developed and reinforced.In preschool, children are exposed to learning that is both hands on and gropu oriented, allowing them to develop a sense of a social self. This development in preschool gives them a head start on the type of learning they will be doing in kindergarten.

Preschool Programs at Noah’s Ark Child Center

The preschool programs at Noah’s Ark Child Center are designed to give your child a boost before entering kindergarten. The professional and caring preschool faculty at Noah’s Ark is dedicated to making learning a fun and engaging experience for your child. At Noah’s Ark Child Center, your child will learn about the world, themselves and others in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment. Come visit us or contact us online today!

One of the best indicators of a quality childcare provider is a good student teacher ratio. The student teacher ratio is simply the number of teachers or childcare professionals on hand at any given time in a childcare, preschool or daycare setting in relation to the number of kids. For example, a preschool class of 20 children and 2 teachers has a student teacher ratio of 10:1. One teacher for every 10 kids. A class of 18 and 2 teachers has a ratio of 9:1 and so on.

A good student teacher ratio needs a well qualified team of teachers!

There are many factors that go into determining what a good student teacher ratio is, including the age of the children and the type of program – educational or simple childcare. And what is considered good in one scenario may be considered inadequate in others. But generally the lower student teacher ratio the better the quality and safety.

What is a Good Student Teacher Ratio?

The most ideal circumstance, and one that many parents dream about, is if your child were paired up with a single adult childcare provider who could provide individual attention and support to your child and no one else for the entirety of their school days. Unfortunately there are not enough teachers and child care providers to create a 1 to 1 ratio between every student and teacher in the country.

Instead, child care providers try to maintain a student teacher ratio that is within the acceptable range. The acceptable range of class size to number of teachers is the subject of much study and debate. But the general consensus is that a student teacher ratio of 10:1 is more than sufficient for preschoolers and older.

What are the Benefits of a low Student Teacher Ratio?

The lower (better) a student teacher ratio becomes, the more expensive the childcare usually becomes. But the quality also increases dramatically.

According to research conducted by The National Bureau of Economic Research, small class size and low student teacher ratios were one of the most vital elements in early childhood education settings to future academic achievement.

It’s not surprising why. A lower student teacher ratio allows for more personalized learning and care. A teacher who has to juggle too many kids is just not going to be able to make sure that all of them are performing at a decent level.

Children learn best in a setting with a low student teacher ratio.

Another factor of teacher student ratio is safety. A teacher who has too keep his or her eyes on 25 preschoolers – just imagine that for a moment – by themselves may become distracted and not be able to make sure that the kids are not getting themselves into unsafe situations. While most childcare facilities are safe places to be for all children, making sure that there enough adult eyes and supervision per child is a childcare safety essential.

Student Teacher Ratio at Noah’s Ark Childcare.

In support of all your childcare safety and education needs, Noah’s Ark Childcare Center maintains a minimum student teacher ratio of 1:10 with all of our programs and age groups. We strive to be there for your child whether they are playing, learning, dancing or socializing. Noah’s Ark Childcare staff have extensive experience and undergo 24 in service training classes per year, ensuring that we are up to date on all the latest research and news in early childcare education. Contact us today for more information on our childcare, preschool and daycare programs. We look forward to hearing from you!

Though it can sometimes be very cold and nasty, depending on where you live, winter can offer you and your family a variety of fun outdoor activities and experiences that rival those of the summer months. From snowball fights to snowboarding and skiing trips, no matter what you plan for, as we head into the short days and cold temperatures of the winter months, keep these winter safety tips for kids in mind and ensure that you and your family have a fun and healthy winter experience.

1. Keep Warm!

The first winter safety tip for kids seems obvious. Making sure that you and your kids are warm during winter activities is instinctual. But there are a number of ways to dress properly for winter weather that have to be learned.

Winter offers fun and exciting outdoor activities.

It is important that you layer your child’s winter clothing. Layers provide more efficient insulation than just one bulky coat and can easily be removed and added to suit the temperature.

Frostbite is one of the most common winter freezing injuries. Frostbite is most frequently seen on bodily extremities and exposed skin. If not properly protected, your child’s fingers, toes, nose, ears, and cheeks can become numb, pale, gray or bluish in color. This discoloration is the first sign of frostbite. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you apply warm water – not hot – to any suspected frostbite areas (around 104 degrees). If the numbness and blisters persist, call your child’s doctor immediately.

Another winter condition resulting from exposure to cold air is hypothermia. Hypothermia is when the body temperature of your child drops below normal levels, usually as a result of prolonged outdoor activity in freezing temperature. This condition can occur more quickly in children than adult, so it’s important to keep a lookout for it.

Common hypothermia symptoms include shivering, lethargy, clumsiness and loss of motor control, slurred speech and confusion. If you suspect your child is hypothermic, call 911 and take them inside.

In order to prevent hypothermia, set reasonable limits on outdoor play in cold conditions.

2. Winter Activity Safety

While it is important to keep warm during the winter months, that is not the end of the story. Many of the activities that both kids and adults enjoy are hazardous in their own way. These quick winter safety tips for kids and adults will help make your winter activities with you family safe and fun.

When sledding, skiing or snowboarding it is important to inform your child about how to keep as safe as possible and avoid injury.

All children should be supervised while sledding. It is recommended that children use steerable sleds, not tubes or disks, and that they be prevented from sledding in a head first position.

Skiing and snowboarding should be taught to your children by a qualified instructor in a kids program.

Never ski, sled or snowboard alone. Make sure you child has a buddy or is properly supervised.

When ice skating, make sure that the ice has been approved as safe before letting your child venture out. Never go out on ice that you are unsure of.

3. Health

Winter is known as the flu season because, according to statistics, that is when most flu infections occur. However, cold weather is not the cause of the flu. There do happen to be more flu viruses during the cold months, but the primary reason for infection is because we stay indoors longer and are exposed to other people’s germs more frequently than in the summer months. The best way to prevent the flu from spreading is to teach your kids the importance of frequent handwashing.

Another, often overlooked, winter safety tip for kids is the need to ensure proper protection from the sun. Snow and ice reflects sunlight and can easily cause sunburn on exposed skin in a short period of time. Make sure your child is properly protected from the sun’s rays.

Winter Safety at Noah’s Ark Childcare

Noah’s Ark Childcare Center is devoted to the safety of your child no matter the weather. Whether it is snow, sleet, ice, rain or a exceptionally hot day, the staff at Noah’s Ark are trained to spot the signs of possible safety and health issues resulting from weather. Contact us today for more info on our safety training and experience. We look forward to hearing from you!

Probably one of the most widely studied aspects of education practice is the positive effect that parental involvement in education has on a child’s overall academic and socialization success.  The positive link between parental involvement in education and the child’s academic success has been demonstrated in study after study for a number of years. Additionally, parental involvement in education is considered by many in the education professionals to be one of the most important factors to a child’s success.

According to a 2003 survey conducted by Public Agenda, two-thirds of public school teachers said that an increase in parental involvement in education would help the children perform better, and 72% said that children with uninvolved parents are more likely to fall behind.

What do Studies Say about Parental Involvement in Education

A comprehensive study by SEDL, which combined the results of 51 studies on the effect of parental involvement in education, concluded that parental involvement in education is key to a number of academic success factors.

Parental involvement in education is important to learning success!

Children whose parents are involved in their education earn higher grades and are more likely to enroll in higher level classes and honors programs. They are also more likely to pass their classes, earn credits and attend school more regularly than children of uninvolved parents. The study also reports that children with involved parents have better social skills, improved classroom behavior and higher self-esteem.

What does this mean for parents of early education and pre-school kids?

While most of the studies of parent involvement in education focus on k-12, parental involvement with their child’s pre-K education is just as important. Research into the involvement of parents in their pre-school kid’s education has also shown a positive effect on academic outcomes when they reach kindergarten and elementary school, and kids who enjoy a high level of parental involvement make the transition into kindergarten and elementary more smoothly.

Perhaps the most important finding, however, is the fact that parents who actively participate in the education of their pre-school kids develop habits and attitudes to their child’s education that are beneficial to the child and are more likely to support their children through further education. Just like the kids, parents benefit from educational engagement with their child.

Some ways you can become more involved with your child’s pre-K education

After reading all the benefits of being in involved in your child’s education, you may be wondering how you, as a parent, can get involved in your child’s learning. As you have learned, parental involvement in education is a critical factor to ensuring their success. There are a number of fun and exciting way that you can get involved in your child’s learning.

Volunteer in the Classroom

Volunteering in your child’s classroom is a great way to learn about the world that your little one is learning in, and being there tells your child that school is a safe and inviting place where they can thrive. In an age when parents often only show up to school only when their child is in trouble, it is important to signal to you child at an early age that school is a positive and fun place to be.

Learn at home

While it is important to be involved in your child’s classroom, parental involvement education does not stop at the classroom door. Just as important is making your home an extension of the classroom by creating a fun and engaging learning environment.

Games are a great way to learn at home!

As mentioned in a previous post, there are hundreds of education oriented games that you can play with your child. Games make education fun. You can also read to your child or share one of your talents or skills with them. Teach them age appropriate things, of course. If you play an instrument or like art, you can introduce your child to the world of music, song and art when they aren’t learning in the classroom.

Talk to your Child’s Teacher

Talk to your child’s teacher about how they are doing, how they are behaving in class and if any problems arise. It is important to keep an open line of communication between you and their teacher. This way, both of you can coordinate and have an established relationship if any problems arise in your child’s progress.

These are just some of the ways that you can get involved in your child’s education. The National Education Association has a fantastic resource page for parents who want to get more involved with their child’s education. Use these resources and the tips above to help your child succeed and get the best out of their education.

At Noah’s Ark Childcare Center in Reno our dedicated and experienced childcare team is will help you get involved in your child’s education in a safe and inviting environment. At Noah’s Ark Childcare Center in Reno, you and your will learn together, grow together and thrive together.

When we talk about children and creativity, some minds go straight to artistic creativity and the age-old finger painting fun. Creativity has a larger impact on a child’s development than finger painting alone. Creativity also refers to imagination and original ideas, which are the tenets of innovation and problem solving.

Why Creativity is Important

At its basic root, the term creativity describes the human ability for one to express herself or think about things in a different way. A good sense of self-expression in a child can lead to a more communicative adult who has a stronger sense of self.

Creative thinking leads to better problem solvers. Your child’s creativity can lead her to being the doctor who finds a cure for cancer or fighting hunger. As parents and caretakers, we can equip our children with the tools to handle any problems they may face in the future by developing their creativity.

Creativity Time During Free Play

A child’s creativity muscle gets a lot of exercise during unstructured free play time. Since there is no requirement for exactly what a child should be doing, she can let her mind explore the limitless possibilities! If you are looking to help your child build her creativity, carve out some time for supervised free play time.

Creativity During Art Time

Art projects can be a perfect opportunity for children to develop creativity and self-expression. One of the roadblocks in developing a child’s creativity is placing an expectation on the end product. A child could be disheartened when she realizes her masterpiece looks nothing like what it is “supposed” to look like. Taking out the “supposed to” aspect of art projects makes a significant impact on fostering a child’s creativity.

Instead of making sure all of the children have instruction to attempt to repeat an image they see, focus on the process instead of the product. As long as the children are utilizing the different tools and materials in a safe manner, let their brains run wild to build their creativity without fear of judgment.

Encouraging Your Child’s Creativity

Many parents have experienced that awkward moment when a child brings home an art project that looks unrecognizable. Take those opportunities to learn about your child’s inventions free of judgment! Discussing a child’s art work with them is an excellent way to begin discussion of the day’s activities.

We suggest that a parent not ask, “What’s that?” because to a child very often they were not drawing a particular thing. Instead, perhaps ask your child to tell you about the picture she brought home, which will often encourage them to talk about their creation.

Creativity at Noah’s Ark Child Center

At Noah’s Ark Child Center in Reno, creativity is an integral part of our curriculum. We foster your child’s creativity through activities like dance, music, block building, dramatic play, mud play to challenge your child’s imagination and ability.

Our childcare professionals at Noah’s Ark Child Center strive to create a safe environment that supports creativity and self-expression of all the children.

Stop by for a tour and visit Noah’s Ark Child Center in Reno today!

On a hot summer day or when it is pouring cats and dogs outside, children can end up stuck inside with no structured activities planned. Few things can ruin a day faster than a bored child. Combat boredom with fun games for the kids and creating free play time!

Games Help A Child’s Development

Playing games with your children can not only bring your family closer together, but a “family game night” could set a child up for a more successful future. Recent studies reveal that a child’s executive function may have more to do with successful learning than a high IQ or sheer talent.

Unlike structured activities like team sports, free play and board games have a strong influence on improving a child’s executive function to make a child more self-sufficient in the future. Playing board games or card games with school age children can help foster their attention, concentration, visual-spatial processing, impulse control, and problem solving skills.

What better way to work on a terrifying muscle like impulse control than while playing a fun game? Even in the high stakes of a game, there may be less tears and fighting than if a caretaker were to teach impulse control in other scenarios.

Building Connections

Games offer kids a great environment for children to learn the fundamentals of teamwork, which is extremely important as they grow up. If children can learn how to work together at an early age, that skill will propel them to fostering meaningful relationships and a great work environment as adults.

Playing games as a family can bring your family closer together. If you have children that are a few years apart, a common entertaining activity like your family’s favorite game can keep siblings connected. Having a game night or board game time also allows you as a parent quality time with your children to learn about what is going on in their lives. In the demanding landscape of lessons, sports, and extracurricular activities, creating that time as a family can become very precious.

Outdoor Play

When the weather permits, outdoor games can help children’s cardiovascular health and teamwork skills. Outdoor games are especially helpful for children to improve coordination and get outside with nature!

Outdoor games with kids can sometimes lead to more ouchies than indoor games, so make sure your child center or caretaker is equipped to prevent and treat any child’s injuries.

Noah’s Ark Child Center

At Noah’s Ark Child Center in Reno, we offer preschool programs as well as before and after school programs to take care of your children. The child care programs at Noah’s Ark Child Center help children develop learning skills and socialization in order to expand a child’s education beyond time in the classroom.

Activities are diverse within our child care programs. Crafts, computers, games, stories, science, cooking, visitors and outdoor activities are included in the children’s time, so there are great learning opportunities across the board.

Visit us today to enter your child into a child care program in Reno at Noah’s Ark Child Center!

The time has come for your child to go to school! You have been preparing for this day, and there may be a question lingering as a parent or caretaker: “what next?” There are many school age programs and activities that can supplement your child’s education in the classroom.

At Noah’s Ark Child Center in Reno, we have come up with a few school age program activities for kids to continue learning and having fun at the same time!

Indoor Activities

Arts and crafts are a great way to improve a child’s fine motor skills and self-expression. Strengthening these skills in a school age child will help him learn and grow in the classroom. One fun and creative arts and crafts activity for school age children is to make a rain stick. By filling a tube with rice and seeds, your child can replicate the sound of rain — how cool!

Outdoor Activities

School age programs are a chance for kids to explore!

Activate the kids’ brains and hearts with an interactive scavenger hunt! Create clues that are based on what the children have been learning in school to reinforce their education. With proper supervision, you can get the little ones running around for aerobic exercise and practicing logic or other educational skills!

Summer Activities

At Noah’s Ark Child Center, our summer school age program activities include field trips  centered around a weekly theme. Assigning a theme to each week gives the children a focus to help children learn and grow.

During our programs we take children on enriching field trips throughout the community. We visit Museums, the University of Nevada-Reno, and other places where kids can learn about the community. We also have field trips to Wild Island Family Adventure Park, Reno Aces Ballpark, and a fun bowling alley! No matter where we go, we make sure your kids are having fun!

Fall Activities

Do you have a lot of spare containers lying around your Reno home or daycare center? Repurpose them by using the old milk cartons and cans to help kids build their very own robot. This is a fun arts and crafts activity that can also involve some math by having children measure. Be sure there are no sharp objects included in the recycled products, since tiny fingers on something sharp is not a fun ending to a day building a robot!

School Age Programs at Noah’s Ark Child Center

Noah’s Ark Child Center offers school age programs!

At Noah’s Ark Child Center in Reno, we offer school age programs during the summer and for before and after school! The Noah’s Ark Child Center Summer School Age Program is open for children who have completed the first grade through children who are thirteen years old. School Age Programs during the summer help children keep their minds sharp between school years.

The Before and After School Programs for school age children are also helpful to expand a child’s education beyond time in the classroom. The School Age Program at Noah’s Ark Child Center is under the guidance of a School Age Supervisor and experienced staff.

Activities are planned for the morning and afternoon sessions, which allow the children free time to play and interact with their friends. Crafts, computers, games, stories, science, cooking, visitors and outdoor activities are included in the children’s time.
Visit us today to enter your child into a School Age Program in Reno at Noah’s Ark Child Center!

At Noah’s Ark Child Center, we want to make sure your child has a safe and fun experience while expanding his learning! If you are looking for some fun activities with your child or for a sitter to create, here are some exciting before and after school program activities that you can try at home.

Outdoor Before and After School Program Activities

Hopscotch is a fun pastime and before and after school programs!

The Society of Health and Physical Educators, aka SHAPE America, advises that school-aged children have an hour cumulatively of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. Before and after school programs can help ensure your child is getting enough physical activity by including outdoor play time.

The Care.com team offers fun and safe ideas for children in before and after school programs, including playing with sidewalk chalk. Playing with sidewalk chalk can create opportunities for art projects, hopscotch, and even reviewing some math problems with adults!

If you’re looking for fun and creative before and after school program activities that get kids moving and playing outdoors, try an obstacle course or scavenger hunt. These activities will be fun, physical, and creative for kids to have a great time.

Indoor Before and After School Program Activities

Before and after school programs are a great time to integrate a child’s curriculum with fun applications to help them understand what they learn in the classroom. One delicious learning opportunity is making ice cream in a plastic bag with the kids! Both a fun and delicious before and after school program activity, making ice cream in a bag teaches kids about chemistry!

Another great before and after school program activity is making rainbow soap foam for kids to play. It only takes about 10 minutes to create some soap foam, and you can choose primary colors to teach children about color mixing, and playing with soap foam is a safe sensory activity. Make sure to use liquid watercolors, as they are washable and won’t cause stains.

Before and after school program activities can be colorful and educational. Want to teach children about how plants absorb water? Fill cups with water and different colors of food coloring, and add cabbage or white flowers. The kids will love watching the flowers take on a new color as they absorb the water!

Noah’s Ark Child Center’s Before and After School Programs

Noah’s Ark Child Center’s Before and After School Program has lots of fun activities!

Noah’s Ark Child Center provides a Before and After School Program for children in kindergarten through sixth grade on traditional school schedules. Our Before and After School Program includes students from Peavine Elementary School, Mamie Towles Elementary School, Elmcrest Elementary School, and Roland Melton Elementary School.

On “early release” days or days off school, the children at Noah’s Ark Before and After School Program have supervised field trips and fun activities away from the Ark.

About Noah’s Ark Child Center

Noah’s Ark is a non-profit out-reach mission of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Our childcare program has been in operation since 1972. Noah’s Ark began in a small space with only 15 children and over the years has grown to encompass 115 children and an expanded faculty.

In 1987 the “educational wing” of the church was built by St. Paul’s with the Ark, to accommodate youth programs of the church and the growing child care population. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, hand in hand with Noah’s Ark Child Center, reaffirms daily their commitment to the needs of the community, childcare and childcare excellence. We welcome you to our Noah’s Ark family.