All posts in Providers & Settings

Sep 4, 2020

Why are the first five years of my child’s brain development so important?

During the first five years of life, a child will undergo such intensive developmental transformations that it’s often hard for parents to recognize their newborn as the same little person entering kindergarten. These first five years are often called “the leap years” not only because a child grows by leaps and bounds but also because a child’s ever-changing brain is continually evolving—literally leaping forward with learning, developing, absorbing and building a foundation for how they will learn for the rest of their life.

Aug 11, 2020

Can playing in the dirt boost my child’s immune system?

If you’re like most parents and caregivers, you’ve spent a good deal of time teaching your young child the importance of proper hygiene. From taking nightly baths to scrubbing those little hands before mealtime to rubbing on the hand sanitizer, we all work hard to ensure our kids are staying as clean and germ-free as possible. But what if our kids are too clean for their good?

Aug 4, 2020

How do I prepare my child to start daycare?

Separation anxiety - it’s a term that children and their parents/caregivers know all too well when it comes to the first day of daycare. That monumental day is when a child ventures off alone into their first independent life experience and it’s an important developmental milestone. But when it comes to sending your little one off to daycare for the first time, there are steps you can take to make it an easier transition for both you and your child.

Jul 23, 2019

What are the characteristics of a high quality child care provider?

Whether searching for a large child care provider, a faith-based center, or a smaller in-home program, the one common trait you should always seek in all options is the center's quality. Unfortunately, it can be hard to recognize quality — especially if you're searching for child care for the first time. To help families with this sometimes-difficult search, ABC Quality provides a quality checklist of what to look for in a child care program to make sure a potential option offers a safe, stimulating environment and one that will allow your child to thrive.

Apr 2, 2019

Are these food items healthy for my child?

From fruit juices to so-called nutritious snacks, many food products that proclaim to be healthy are anything but nutritious. Even food products that promise to be fat free or gluten free may contain ingredients that are anything but good for us. To help families know what foods are good for their kids, check out this list of nine food items to avoid on your next trip to the grocery store.