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Flexibility is the Key to Screen Time Limits for Kids

The amount of time kids spend in front of screens can cause significant anxiety – for their parents. Many parents are turning to screen time limits to keep kids from spending too much time on electronics. 

According to an article from the website VeryWellFamily, not all screen time is created equal, however. A Parent’s Guide to Setting Screen Time Limits notes that neither an outright ban on screen time nor unlimited use is the answer.

“The reality is we need to be flexible in setting rules, taking into account the purposes, timing, and benefits of the electronic devices our children use,” the article states. “As kids grow, they change and so does the technology. Parents have to be ready to make new rules or modify old ones when change happens, but keep that guiding principle of balance in mind as you readjust your family’s rules.”

Finally, one of the best ways to limit screen time is to make sure kids have the opportunity to do other, more hands-on activities to instill a desire for creativity and independent play. Doing so is the first and best defense against too much screen time.

Premier Academy offers affordable childcare in the Omaha/Elkhorn area. To learn more, visit us at premieracademyinc.com.

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How to Help Kids Have Less Screen Time

kids on ipad

Technology has done a lot to improve the lives of children. However, when kids have too much screen time, the benefits of technology are quickly eclipsed.   Unfortunately, attempts to go cold-turkey often backfire when it comes to cutting off a child’s access to electronic devices. So what is a parent to do?

Screen Time and Children: How to Guide Your Child

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/screen-time/art-20047952

With screens virtually everywhere, controlling a child’s screen time can be challenging. To complicate matters, some screen time can be educational for children as well as support their social development.

10 Tips to Cut Kids’ Screen Time

https://www.webmd.com/parenting/guide/kids-screen-time#1

With screens everywhere, it may seem even harder to cut down on a child’s time with them. But limits are worth it.

Parents Trying to Limit Kids’ Screen Time Should Start with Their Own

https://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/everything-kids/parents-trying-to-limit-kids-screen-time-should-start-with/

When it comes to instilling healthy screen time habits in our kids, we need to first be aware of our own habits.

Complete Guide to Screen Addiction

https://www.comparethemarket.com/broadband/content/screen-usage-guide/

Premier Academy offers affordable childcare in the Omaha/Elkhorn area. To learn more, visit us at premieracademyinc.com.

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COVID 19 Update March 23-2020

Dear Parents,

COVID-19 UPDATE for BOTH the Omaha and Elkhorn Location!

Effective Monday, March 23, 2020 we will be reducing our hours. Our new, temporary hours will be 7:30 – 5:00. I know that this will be an inconvenience for some of you, however we need to do what is best for the our employees and for your children that we care for throughout the day. We are asking for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out!

Sincerely,
Chris Flaxbeard
Owner
Premier Academy

Premier Academy offers affordable childcare in the Omaha/Elkhorn area. To learn more, visit us at premieracademyinc.com.

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COVID 19 Update March 16-2020

Dear Parents,

I am writing to you to let you know about some added precautions we’re taking to do our part in an effort to be vigilant regarding the COVID-19 concern. In keeping with providing a higher standard of care to our families we are implementing the following safeguards:

  • We will record time and temperature two times each day for children and staff
  • We will limit adults that come into the building so I am asking you to drop-off at the door and pick-up at the door. We will have staff available to assist you.
  • We are adding yet another cleaning of the toys mid-day
  • We will ask that your child not return for 48 hours if they are sent home with a temperature
  • The staff will record attendance for the children so you will not need to use the screen in the entry-way
  • Let us know when you will not be attending the center. It is imperative that we keep labor costs to a minimum to get through this difficult time.
  • Please continue to be patient and respectful of each other!

Due to the extensive measures we are taking within our center, we are confident with the decision to remain open for our families despite the surrounding school districts choosing to close.

We appreciate all of our families at Premier Academy and your efforts to partner with us to continue providing a healthy environment for our students and their families. If you have suggestions for additional precautions, please don’t hesitate to contact the director or myself so that we may continue to work together as a collaborative team in your child’s early education.

I continue to keep all you and your families in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Chris Flaxbeard
Owner
Premier Academy

Premier Academy offers affordable childcare in the Omaha/Elkhorn area. To learn more, visit us at premieracademyinc.com.

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COVID 19 Update March 13 2020

Many of you are asking if Premier Academy is going to stay open!

The answer is a resounding YES!!! We will continue to serve our families as long as we can! And we need your help doing so!

Premier Academy’s mission is to serve working parents! During times like this it is important that you can rely on us to be there for you! As I mentioned in my email on Monday, we continue to meet and exceed cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting standards for childcare centers. It is of utmost importance to us that we keep our children and families healthy and provide a safe environment in which the children will flourish. I assure you that the staff and I are committed to doing everything we can to provide that environment.

I ask that each of you help us and to be part of the solution! We will continue to monitor the children’s temperature as needed and when necessary will ask you to pick-up your child per our standard health policy that is mandated by the Douglas County Health Department and the Nebraska Childcare Regulations. In this situation, it is likely that your child’s fever has nothing to do with the COVID-19 virus. It was mentioned today on all of the news outlets that only 1-2% of the hardest hit populations are testing positive for the virus and the other people are testing positive for other respiratory viruses.

Please continue to do the following:

  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze, wash your hands afterwards
  • Give consideration to the groups you are around. Have they recently travelled to a high-risk area?
  • Do not go to work and childcare if you or your child has a fever
  • Be considerate of others as you would expect them to be considerate of you!

If you have questions please feel free to contact me! I am always available to speak to parents.
Sincerely,
Chris Flaxbeard
Owner
Premier Academy

Premier Academy offers affordable childcare in the Omaha/Elkhorn area. To learn more, visit us at premieracademyinc.com.

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COVID 19 Update March 9 2020

Dear Parents,
There is no higher priority for our entire Premier Family than the Safety of our Children, Families and Employees. We are in close communication with medical professionals, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as well as State and local Health Departments. According to the most recent information from the CDC, for most people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html

It is imperative that we rely on science-based information and not let fear drive our decision-making.

What is Premier Academy going to do about this?
We will continue to be vigilant about hand-washing and the disinfecting of the toys and rooms. We clean and disinfect our equipment through-out the day per the Department of Health and Human Services recommended guidelines. We will continue to do daily health checks for children and our employees, and we will enforce our policies in regard to symptoms of illness.
I would like to remind you that Premier Academy has been providing a higher standard of care and safety by using the Zono Sanitizing Cabinet for over the last 8 years. The ZONO Ozone Sanitizing Cabinet kills 99.9% of common bacteria and 99.99% of common viruses on non-porous, porous and semi-porous surfaces. Please check out the website to see how the Zono works. https://www.zonotechnologies.com/

What can our Premier Academy Families do?
Below are bullet points from the CDC on basic about steps you can take to protect yourself and others to help stop the spread of germs.

  • Avoid close contact.
    Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
    Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
  • Cover your mouth and nose.
    Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu and other serious respiratory illnesses, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), are spread by cough, sneezing, or unclean hands.
  • Clean your hands.
    Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub (must be 60% alcohol to be effective).
  • Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives
    Tips on hand washing and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers
  • It’s a SNAP Toolkit: http://www.itsasnap.org/Learn-More/About-Us
    Hand washing resources from the It’s A SNAP program, aimed at preventing school absenteeism by promoting clean hands. From the School Network for Absenteeism Prevention, a collaborative project of the CDC, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American Cleaning Institute.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
    Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Practice other good health habits.
    Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

We are 100% ready and able to provide you and your family with the safest and healthiest possible environment to play, learn and grow!
Please feel free to reach out to me or your center director if you have questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
Christine Flaxbeard
Owner
Premier Academy
chris@premieracademyinc.com

Premier Academy offers affordable childcare in the Omaha/Elkhorn area. To learn more, visit us at premieracademyinc.com.

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Four Ways to Reduce Kids’ Screen Time Without Tears or Tantrums

When kids spend too much time in front of screens, it can lead to a variety of problems. It also can cause severe anxiety in their parents. After all, nothing makes a parent feel guilty faster than thinking that their children spend too much time in front a computer, television, tablet or phone.

Like most things in life, however, moderation is the key. The fact is, technology has done a lot to improve the lives of children and it isn’t all bad. Further, attempts to go cold-turkey when it comes to cutting off a child’s access to electronic devices are likely to backfire. The best methods for reducing screen time involve slowing curtailing it over a period of time.

What follows are some simple ways to reduce the amount of time your kids spend in front of a screen. What’s best, these methods are less likely to lead to tears and tantrums (for you and your child!):

How to Reduce Screen Time 

  1. Schedule it. Kids like to feel as if they have a say in things so sit down as a family and map out a schedule for screen time. For example, cut out screen time for an hour before bedtime (which is recommended by experts to prevent sleep disturbances) or until all homework is finished.
  2. Keep screens out of the bedrooms. You will be able to better monitor your kids’ screen time if they aren’t hidden away in their room with their devices.
  3. Cut the (cable) cord. When there isn’t anything to watch on television, everyone will watch less of it. Canceling your cable TV subscription is a great way to save money, too. Money that can be used for activities you can do together as a family – like trips to the  zoo or swimming.
  4. Get outside. Spring is in the air. After being cooped up all winter long, this is a great time to take advantage of longer days and warmer temperatures to hike or ride bikes on the many trails around Omaha.

Reducing screen time is often seen by kids as a punishment. That is why it is so important for parents to gradually reduce time kids sit in front of the screen and to replace that time with activities the entire family can enjoy together.

Finally, don’t beat yourself up every minute your kids are watching TV or playing online. Doing so just leads to a lot of guilt that doesn’t do anyone any good. If there are times when your kids want to watch a video or play a game online, try to steer them in the direction of more educational videos and games. That way they are learning at the same time!

Premier Academy offers affordable childcare in the Omaha/Elkhorn area. To learn more, visit us at premieracademyinc.com.

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What Makes a Childcare Center Great?

With 70% of mothers working outside of the home, the search for the perfect childcare center is something a majority of parents will undertake at some point. One search of the internet will uncover the pros and cons of almost every childcare option out there.

One thing such searches rarely address, however, is what every great childcare center has in common. An exception is an article from babylist.com, 8 Important Signs of a Great Daycare. This article talks about what sets good childcare apart from great childcare.

Signs of a Great Childcare Center

  1. Stellar reviews
  2. A caring, stimulating environment with happy kids
  3. An interesting and varied schedule or curriculum
  4. Qualified caregivers who really care
  5. Safety, safety, safety
  6. Low child-to-caregivers ratio and low employee turnover
  7. Established policies and consistent rules
  8. Licensed

When it comes down to it, the best daycares have the magical combination of meeting your family’s unique checklist while and making you feel secure and happy to leave your child there every day.

Premier Academy offers affordable childcare in the Omaha/Elkhorn area. To learn more, visit us at premieracademyinc.com.

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Choosing the Best Childcare

toy abacus in locally-owned childcare centers

Just as every family is unique, so is every childcare center. When choosing the best childcare, most parents have an idea of the type of childcare they want.  Perhaps, a locally-owned establishment is what the seek. There is no reason that in a city the size of Omaha they shouldn’t be able to find exactly what they are looking for.

8 Important Signs of a Great Daycare

https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/8-important-signs-of-a-great-daycare

When you are searching for childcare centers, the choices can be dizzying. It can help to know what all great childcare centers have in common.

Making the Right Decision – Choosing Quality Child Care

https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Parent/Choosing-Quality-Child-Care/Checklist

When visiting childcare centers, it helps to have a checklist that reminds you of what to look for and allows you to record your observations.

Childcare Choices: What’s Important to Parents?

https://mottpoll.org/reports/childcare-choices-whats-important-parents

Wondering if what you consider the most important factors in choosing the best childcare for your son or daughter is similar to other parents?

Premier Academy offers affordable, locally-owned childcare in the Omaha/Elkhorn area. To learn more, visit us at premieracademyinc.com.

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Why Some Parents Prefer Locally-Owned Childcare Centers

Choosing a locally-owned childcare center or a franchise is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. 70% of mothers work outside of the home today. The perfect childcare arrangement is something a majority of parents are looking to find.

Just as every family is unique, not every childcare center will suit every family. However, when choosing a childcare center, here are three important tips to help you make the right choice for you and your child:

How to Choose a Childcare Center

  1. Ask for help. Ask friends, family and co-workers about their childcare situation and if they would recommend it. Your baby’s doctor is another valuable resource. After all, they talk to parents every single day so the subject of childcare is something they have a lot of experience with.
  2. Interview providers. Begin by screening childcare centers over the phone. If they center doesn’t offer the hours you require, for example, you can scratch them off the list without having to waste any more time. You also should ask about things like cost, if there is a waiting list, accreditation, and the staff-to-child ratio. You also need to ask about staff qualifications and turnover rates. You can get into more particulars during a personal visit.
  3. Visit. Once you have narrowed down your choices, schedule a visit. If you like what you see, it is still a good idea to drop by unannounced to really get a feel for what a typical day is like. Things to look for are happy children and staff, a stimulating environment, separation of age groups, and a safe and clean environment.

Talking one-on-one to staff and owners of a childcare center will give you a “feel” for the place. It is important to trust your gut feelings, too. If something just doesn’t seem right, don’t ignore that feeling. 

Many childcare centers in larger cities such as Omaha are part of national chains. While this is not a bad thing, some families prefer locally-owned childcare for their children. These types of childcare centers can be more cost-effective than franchises and some parents say they provide a better opportunity to get to know other parents better.

The childcare industry is definitely booming and childcare franchises are popping up at an astonishing rate. However, many families prefer homegrown businesses. Some say locally-owned childcare centers are more likely to reinvest in their community and support the local economy. Other parents say locally-owned childcare centers can be more flexible because they don’t have to follow orders from a corporate office in another city.

In the end, parents must find the type of care that is right for their child and their particular situation. This takes a lot of time and due diligence. It is well worth it, though, because it means allowing your child to grow and thrive in a happy, healthy environment.

Premier Academy offers affordable childcare in the Omaha/Elkhorn area. To learn more, visit us at premieracademyinc.com.

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