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The First Day of Preschool

7 Play Based Learning Activities to Do With Your ChildThe first day can be hard on both parents and children. For many, it’s the first time that they will have been away from each other for such an extended period of time. Even though many kids will be excited for their first day of preschool, it is important to know that new experiences can bring some apprehensions.

Approaching them the right way will allow both children and parents to feel comfortable with the transition into preschool. Here are a few tips to prepare for the first day of preschool.

  1.  Provide Expectations
    Before the first day, explain social concepts such as waiting in line, teach body parts and count objects in your environment. This knowledge will give your child more confidence for the first day
  2.  Set on Schedule
    Practice wake-up time the week before. Setting the alarm for when your child will need to wake for preschool before will help them get used to the new schedule. If the time is much earlier than normal, your preschooler may need bedtime adjusted earlier as well.
  3.  Visualize the Day
    Thinking about what might come next for school will help your child to feel more empowered and less likely to be upset by surprises on the first day.
  4.  Be Early
    Drop off your preschooler a few minutes early, to allow for one-on-one time with the teacher and time to get acquainted with the room when it’s still calm and quiet, says Adair.
  5.  Communicate
    After the first day has gone by, prepare kids for the next one by asking your child to report back to you after the first day.
  6.  Plan the Night Before
    Rather than rushing in the morning to pack lunches and pick out clothes, have your preschooler help you with these tasks the night before.
  7.  Take a Field Trip
    Get them as familiar with their new school as possible by scheduling a tour or any other options the school may offer. Maybe attend special events that the preschool is holding or schedule a play date with a fellow student who lives nearby.

We want to hear from you. Set up an appointment today and see how much your children will love Premier Academy!

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Is your child ready for preschool?

Children and Technology: Parenting Tips for the Digital AgeMost preschools will start accepting children at around age of 2, but that doesn’t mean your child is ready for preschool when they reach this age. Readiness for preschool has more to do with where your child is developmentally.

A few questions to ask yourself:

Is your child social, emotional, ready to participate in structured programs and do they work well with other children?  At Premier Academy, we understand this is a tough decision.  We have put together a list of questions to ask yourself.  We also recommend speaking with others outside of the home such at your pediatrician, caregivers and family members.

Daily Schedule: 

Preschools usually follow a predictable routine. Children tend to feel comfortable and in control when the same things happen at the same time each day.   If your child doesn’t keep to a schedule and each day is different from the last, it can help to standardize their day a bit before starting preschool Omaha, Nebraska.  This can include meals at a regular time, learning and reading and play time.  Sticking to a standard bath time, nap time and bedtime is also helpful.

Group Activities:

Many preschool activities, like learning time, require that all the children in a class participate at the same time. Listening to story time, looking at shapes and colors and learning numbers require your child to listen and sit still.  This can be very difficult for kids under 3 who enjoy exploring.  If your child isn’t used to group activities, you can start introducing them yourself.  We suggest structured classes such as tee ball, tumbling or even story time at your local library.

Independence:

Preschool requires children to have certain basic skills; most will want your child to be potty trained, for instance. Your child should also be able to take care of some other basic needs, like washing his hands after painting, eating lunch without assistance, and sleeping alone.

Stamina for preschool:

Most preschools offer half-day or full-day programs.  There are art projects to do, field trips to take, and playgrounds to explore. Considering your child’s nap time is extremely important.  Because preschool is structured and nap time is set at a specific time each day, if your child takes a mid-morning nap, it may not be the best time to start school.  Building stamina can be an easy process.  If your schedule is flexible, starting half-day may be the answer.  Gradually increasing the length of their day sometimes helps build their tolerance of moving from activity to activity without being drowsy or cranky.

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Choosing Childcare

Reading to Children: Tips for Making Storytime MemorableMore and more, research tells us that our children’s healthy development depends on safe and positive experiences during the first few years of life. If you are a parent who works during these early years, choosing good childcare is one of the most important decisions you will ever make for your child.

To help you make the right choice for childcare, Premier Academy has identified 13 research-based guidelines to think about when choosing a childcare program.

You might want to visit several different childcare, either centers or family childcare homes, before you decide which one is best for your family. Call each childcare program and schedule an appointment for your visit. Once you are there, stay for at least an hour to watch activities, check the surroundings, and ask questions. The checklist below provides a place for you to note which guidelines are met. Research shows that if a program follows guidelines, it is more likely to be a safe and healthy place for your child. Your state or county may have other guidelines to help ensure health and safety in child care programs.

Considering these guidelines can help you find a place where you feel comfortable leaving your child.

Supervision

  • Are children supervised at all times, even when they are sleeping?
  • How do the caregivers discipline children? (Hint: Discipline should be positive, clear, consistent, and fair.)

Handwashing and Diapering

  • Do all caregivers and children wash their hands often, especially before eating and after using the bathroom or changing diapers?
  • Is the place where diapers are changed clean?
  • Do caregivers always keep a hand on the child while diapering?
  • Do caregivers remove the soiled diaper without dirtying any surface not already in contact with stool or urine?
  • Do caregivers clean and sanitize the surface after finishing the changing process? (Hands should be scrubbed with soap and warm running water for at least 20 seconds and then rinsed and dried. The water faucet should be turned off with a paper towel.)

 Director Qualifications

  • Does the director of a childcare center have a bachelor’s degree in a child-related field?
  • Has the director worked in childcare for at least two years?
  • Does the director understand what children need to grow and learn?

Lead Teacher Qualifications

  • Does the lead teacher in a childcare center have a bachelor’s degree in a child-related field?
  • Has the teacher worked in childcare for at least one year?
  • Does the teacher give children lessons and toys that are right for their ages?

 Child:Staff Ratio and Group Size

  • How many children are being cared for in the childcare program?
  • How many caregivers are there? (Your child will get more attention if each caregiver has fewer children to care for. The younger the children are, the more caregivers there should be. For example, one family home caregiver should only take care of two infants.)

 Immunizations

  • Is your child up-to-date on all of the required immunizations?
  • Does the childcare program have records proving that the other children in care are up-to-date on all their required immunizations?

 Toxic Substances

  • Are toxic substances like cleaning supplies and pest killers kept away from children?
  • Has the building been checked for dangerous substances like radon, lead and asbestos?
  • Is poison control information posted?

 Emergency Plan

  • Does the childcare program have an emergency plan if a child is injured, sick, or lost?
  • Does the childcare program have first-aid kits?
  • Does the childcare program have information about who to contact in an emergency?

 Fire/Emergency Drills

  • Does the childcare program have a plan in case of a disaster like a fire, tornado, flood, blizzard, or earthquake?
  • Does the childcare program do practice drills once every month?

 Child Abuse

  • Can caregivers be seen by others at all times, so a child is never alone with one caregiver?
  • Have all caregivers undergone background check?
  • Have the caregivers been trained on how to prevent child abuse, how to recognize signs of child abuse, and how to report suspected child abuse?

 Medications

  • Does the childcare program keep medication out of reach from children?
  • Are the caregivers trained and the medications labeled to make sure the right child gets the right amount of the right medication at the right time?

 Staff Training/First Aid

  • Have caregivers been trained how to keep children healthy and safe from injury and illness?
  • Do they know how to do first aid and rescue breathing?
  • Have they been trained to understand and meet the needs of children of different ages?
  • Are all childcare staff, volunteers, and substitutes trained on and implementing infant back sleeping and safe sleep policies to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, crib death)? (When infants are sleeping, are they on their backs with no pillows, quilts, stuffed toys, or other soft bedding in the crib with them?)

 Playgrounds

  • Is the playground regularly inspected for safety?
  • Is the playground surrounded by a fence?
  • If there is a sandbox, is it clean?
  • Are the soil and playground surfaces checked often for dangerous substances and hazards?
  • Is equipment the right size and type for the age of children who use it?

Premier Academy offers affordable childcare in Omaha and Elkhorn, Nebraska.  We invite you to tour our facilities and see what we can offer your child.  Contact us today!

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Preschool Care in Omaha Nebraska

Teaching Your Children About FriendshipFinding Preschool Daycare that suits a parent’s or grandparent’s schedule can often be difficult. Often, working parents can’t leave their jobs early to pick up their kids after school is over. There are also times when parents or grandparents may just need a few hours a month for daycare, so they can attend to needed errands, meetings or just need some time off from the kids.

At Premier Academy in Omaha, Nebraska, we offer guardians convenient solutions with our many daycare options. With Premier Academy, parents and grandparents can sign up with membership for just five hours of daycare a month. Drop your child off for a short time whenever you need.

Another great option at Premier Academy is our after-school pick-up service. Our staff will arrive promptly at your child’s school and drive them back to our facility. Healthy snacks are provided along with help for homework assignments. Special tutoring is also provided for those children who need it. Once the academics are all taken care of, there are plenty of fun activities that your child can engage in, such as crafts, games,dance, song, and playground fun. At Premier Academy, we think of everything to make life easier.

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Four Significant Reasons for a Preschool Education

  1. Kindergarten ReadinessBrain development is highest during the first four years of life. The brain is forming important neural paths to help develop the child’s ability to perform and function and learn well. Their brain absorbs information and stores it, often feeling saturated with new input.  Your child can benefit when interacting in a quality preschool which is content rich with appropriate information and materials.  We have a first-rate staff of professional, certified teachers who are dedicated to providing Omaha and Elkhorn preschool children with the very best care and education available anywhere.
  2. Structure is vital for the young preschooler and the child thrives in a loving, structured environment with stimulating colors, sounds, textures, classroom layout, varying activities and books. The child learns routine and expectations and begins to look forward to the next activity.    We strive to make Premier Academy a fun place to be! We offer a program that combine fun activities, challenging developmental curriculum and first-rate child care.
  3. Social skills are important to learn at this age rather than waiting until Kindergarten age or later. One of the reasons older children may have difficulty in school is that they never really learned the social skills in preschool. Social skills such as learning how to listen, manners, taking turns, apologies, how to speak in a group, helping each other, learning compassion and empathy are the most important skills to learn when preparing for Kindergarten. Our activities will help your Omaha and Elkhorn preschool children to flourish with a healthy dose of self-esteem, curiosity and love of learning.
  4. Academics are now being emphasized more than in past years because there is more research substantiating that a child is able to learn and perform more than what we used to expect. Most Kindergartens are expected to enter school knowing how to print the alphabet, numbers 1-10 (some 1-20), write their first and last name, display basic social skills and have an ability to comprehend and follow directions.  We are not just providing preschool care in Omaha and Elkhorn; our teachers are dedicated to helping to enrich the lives of your children during the crucial formative years.
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5 Steps to Selecting a Daycare

7 Play Based Learning Activities to Do With Your ChildA child is one of the most important members of society. There is no comparison when valuing life. For parents, one of the most difficult situations they are faced with is to entrust their child, whether an infant, toddler, or school aged child, into a stranger’s care. Unfortunately, both parents need to work, or the child comes from a split family, and sacrifices must be made, and daycare becomes essential. Premier Academy understands the sacrifices that parents make for their children and provides premium childcare that is not just babysitting, but, an environment to stimulate the child to learn and explore the world through their own eyes.

Today, the childcare industry is growing and being promoted in many different communities as per demand. It is not all providers, however, that provide the best environment for children. It is essential that the daycare have the experience and education, as well as, credentials to ensure the child’s health, happiness, safety and growth. The foundation of childhood is one of the most important foundations in life. It is essential that the child is properly cared for.Premier Academy makes sure that the fun element, which makes the wonderful world of a child so special, stays, and is reinforced, daily.

Premier Academy offers different packages:

  • Infants’ Growth Package
  • Toddlers’ Care Package
  • Pre-school children care
  • Pre-K children care
  • School age children learning program

It is difficult for parents to accept being away from their child, and put their child in a stranger’s hands. There are many things that must be taken into consideration. Affordable childcare centers in Omaha Nebraska is something that many parents search for. This is not enough. Parent also must seek childcare centers  that are accredited and approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health, State of Nebraska. Centers listed in the DHHS Childcare Roster are the best options for your infant. The DHHS keeps a close eye on the childcare centers on a regular basis with cancelling registration and closing of centers not complying with the DHHS guidelines.

For children, it is essential to have a care giver that is well-trained and loving. The child should be in an environment with children their own age, where the parents can stop in, just to tell the child they love them, at any time throughout the day, and one that is stimulating and educational.

Daycare has to provide a service that supports and cares for the child and offers the parents security that their child is being nurtured, educated and loved. The center should bring out the child’s creativity and self-esteem. The child should receive a quality of life that nurtures his foundation for his academic years ahead. When parents seek daycare for their children, it is essential that they seek a daycare that specializes in services for infant, toddler, preschool, pre-K and school aged children. The daycare is often a place where a child starts young, and grows throughout the years, and you want a daycare that will be there for you throughout the years.

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Has your child gone from Action Packed to Bored?

The Importance of Free & Unstructured Outdoor Play for KidsThere are two words that can send your summer spirit soaring: “I’m bored!” Your child has suddenly gone from an action-packed school year to the carefree days of summer. As much as you are both happy to be done with homework for a while, all of this freedom can be problematic. You want to chill out with some lemonade yet your kids expect you to be the peppy cruise director. But it is possible for everyone to feel the joy of the season, make wonderful memories and be truly happy together. No more saying, “What can we do this summer?”

Provide Structure

Your child’s day needs a beginning, middle and end. This means more work for parents since they have to create the structure kids normally have in school. But it’s key to having a sane summer. First, kids thrive on structure and knowing what comes next. It keeps them feeling secure, avoids crankiness and gives their day purpose.

Second, maintaining some level of structure will help ease your kids back into the school year.

Create a Plan

An easy way to help provide structure is to make sure your kids know the daily plan. Talk briefly before bed about what’s in store the next day or lay it all out in the morning. Remind them (and yourself) that everyone needs to be flexible during the day and that there will also be downtime for the summer.

Make a summer calendar and write in special events, parties and trips so kids have a sense of an extended time-frame.

Set New Bedtimes

Or keep the same ones. Either way you need to have something firm in place. Summer allows you to be a bit flexible but kids still need 9 to 10 hours of sleep. Otherwise you have a cranky, moody kid who won’t even be able to smile on a trip to the amusement park. Yes, it’s ok to let the kids stay up late here and there for a special occasion.

Take a Class

The school year can be so jammed with after-school activities that your kids might have to miss out on a sport or class they really want to partake in. Take advantage of a less-scheduled summer to sign up for that special activity. The woodworking class that fills up so quickly in September probably has more room in July, anyway! Any class or even a morning camp program will provide daily structure, help give them a full experience of summer and expose them to new environments, says Dr. Bartell. Even better? You get some much-deserved time alone.

Go Outdoors

Take advantage of activities and events that are special to summertime. Go swimming, play tennis, enjoy an outdoor family concert or nature hike. Create a backyard obstacle course or treasure hunt. Have the kids help you pull out some overzealous ferns in the garden. Visit the farmers’ market and ask the kids help you choose local foods, then cook a meal together. Talk about the stars and constellations, then let them stay up late one night to study the beautiful night sky. Rainy days will mean more time inside watching movies. But it’s also the chance to go splash in muddy puddles (just go with it and do the laundry later) and hunt for worms.

Make it Memorable

The sun is shining. The breeze is refreshing and your daughter is not mercilessly teasing your son. Life is good. But while you might remember these small moments, the kids probably won’t. Incorporate a couple of memorable activities into your summer. That doesn’t mean you have to buy overpriced tickets to see the Fresh Beat Band or fly to Disneyland. Just think about your child’s specific interests and what would make her day. Sometimes the most impromptu plans makes the biggest impact.

Read!

We all know that reading books is important for kids. But the bond of reading together is what a summer lull can bring. Pull your child onto your lap, or get as physically close as they’ll let you — and read together, Dr. Ludwig suggests. Make the story come alive. Use funny voices. Act things out. Find hidden objects. And start a dialogue about the book. Set aside 20 minutes each day for reading time. Doing this will reinforce to your kids that reading is fun.

Get Creative

Kids depend too much on technology and they need to come up with their own ideas about what to do this summer. Ultimately, spending too much time with TV and the computer is just not satisfying and won’t create a memorable summer. Limit tech time to 3 hours daily. Turn off the technology and see what happens (after the whining stops). Let them use their imaginations to garden in the backyard, design their own t-shirts with fabric paint or plan a family art show.

Hire Help

Don’t feel guilty that you need a break. Summer can makes parents feel like they are on overload with an extra sense of responsibility. Hiring a sitter to come in at least once a week will provide kids with a new energy level and variety to their day. They will seriously look forward to it! Then you get to recharge or just get the shopping done without someone sneaking lots of sugary cereal into the cart. As if you wouldn’t notice…eventually.

Keep Summer Memories

Give your child a camera and let her take photos all school break of things that she feels are super cool. Maybe a Lego tower, a rose bush in full bloom or the neighbor’s dog. Hold back on directing and you’ll be able to see summer through your child’s eyes. Review the photos weekly and talk about all the adventures you had together. Help her create a memory book or online album when the season ends.

Slow Down

Parents don’t feel pressure to start the day in the summer. Begin later and go slower. When there’s no school bus to catch or traffic to beat you don’t need to be dressed and out by 7:45. Stop chasing your son around with his jeans and teach him to put them on himself — in his own time. Cook up pancakes for breakfast instead of grabbing a slice of wheat bread. Savor your coffee, don’t slurp it hurriedly. Unless you have an a.m. activity planned, use the morning to relax. Summer goes by so fast!

We want to hear from you. Set up an appointment today and find out how much your children will love Premier Academy!

Premier Academy Child Enrichment Center, offers childcare in Omaha, Nebraska for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-k children.

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6 Steps to Starting the Camp Search

Gardening With Small ChildrenDid you know that most camp planning takes place in early winter and spring? Just when you were getting over the holiday stress and still bundled in your Snuggie, you need to find the place for your child to get out of the house — um, we mean thrive — this summer with affordable summer programs in Omaha, Nebraska.

If the thought of finding a camp just occurred to you, or you have just been putting off the research because you don’t know how to start, you’re not alone.

The best time to visit camps is during the summer. You get to see what they’re all about and the community of kids who go. So if you didn’t spend last summer touring, you’ll need to rely heavily on websites, camp reviews and discussions with camp staff and alumnae to help find affordable summer programs. Which means you need to know how to navigate sites, narrow down your options and ask the right questions.

1) Make it a Family Affair
Before you surf the Web, think about your child’s favorite activities and interests and start a discussion at an informal family dinner. Talk with him about what new things he has always wanted to learn and what kinds of things get him stressed. He might not answer you then and there but check back in a few days and he’ll probably have an answer that will help start the camp research and find affordable summer programs in Omaha, Nebraska.

2) Talk to Other Parents
Ask friends and family where their kids had wonderful camp experiences. But ask the right questions to weed through all the glowing reviews.

Talk about circumstances that concern you. Has your child ever been bullied and how did the camp handle it? If my daughter is shy or overweight, how will he be treated by other kids? What if my son is not the greatest athlete — will he have fun at the camp?

3) Search Online
Make a date to sit down at the computer with your child and research camps together. This needs to be a family decision. You’re sending your child to camp, but it has to be the child who wants to go. Keep a positive attitude and be enthusiastic about the process. With encouragement, even a reluctant child will channel your excitement. If you’re nervous, your child will be, too.

Get an idea of what he wants from a camp. Is it an overnight experience? A day camp focused on perfecting a skill or sport? A local religious program? Or a well-rounded place to do a bunch of different things? There are so many options. Start Googling your ideas like “best soccer camp in Kansas” as a jumping off point. Or use Care.com’s Camps site to find options based on zip codes and reviews.

4) Consider the Summer Goals
Just because your niece flourished at an adventure camp doesn’t mean your daughter will do the same. It’s critical to match the environment to your child and find affordable summer programs.

Camps’ websites often have videos that allow you to get a sense of the relationships campers form and the flow of the days. Does it look like your child will fit in? Does the camp appear to be rustic or more pampered? Ask your daughter about her goals for camp. Maybe she wants to develop her sense of leadership and explore nature or maybe she wants to be able to draw and paint all day without breaking a sweat.

5) Talk to the Director
The director is the person who should have all your camp answers. And you should be loaded with questions. A few things you want to know: Where most campers are from/go to school; dynamics of the kids in each age group; the kind of child who is most successful in that camp environment; the return rate. You don’t want to send your child to an environment that just replicates her school. A good sign: If campers flock back year after year, it says something positive about how the camp is run.

6) Make a Short List
When you look at too many camps, it’s overwhelming and it’s easy to get frazzled. Tipograph suggests narrowing down your list to three distinctly-different camps. If your son’s goal is to stay local and work on his backhand, consider: a day camp with a traditional setting that offers tennis as an elective; a day camp that focuses on multiple sports and not just tennis so he won’t burn out; and a tennis-only camp. Once you have everything narrowed down, you need to meet as a family once again and review the choices.

We want to hear from you. Set up an appointment today to find affordable summer programs in Omaha, Nebraska & how much your children will love Premier Academy!

Premier Academy Child Enrichment Center offers childcare in Omaha, Nebraska for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-k children.

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Summer Fun for Kids!

Finding the Right Parenting StyleFamily vacations are great for bonding with loved ones as you get away from your normal routines. But a family vacation can sometimes feel like no vacation at all for parents chasing after kids. Parents need time to themselves, and not just for romance, but to relax, reconnect and revisit what brought them together.

The kids, too, often need a break — time without the watchful worrying eyes of parents, time to be kids and time to be with other kids. Even if it’s for just a few hours while you and your partner go out dinner, you’ll all appreciate the time apart and keeping summer fun for kids.

1) Choose a Hotel with Babysitting Services
Lots of hotels and resorts offer access to babysitters, day care and kids clubs. When you’re traveling with little ones research the babysitting services offered through the resort. The extra time it gives you as a couple will more than make up for the extra time you spend researching.

Even if you’re only leaving your kids for an hour or two, keep safety in mind. Ask the hotel where they find the sitters, how they interview them and if they run background and reference checks. Do they watch the kids in your room, a child care facility or other spot in the hotel? Interview the actual babysitter yourself and take a look at the facilities to confirm they are clean and safe.

2) Take a Kid-Friendly Cruise
Like hotels, most cruise ships offer child care or supervised activities for children. With the kids safe and nearby, parents can get some worry-free alone time. Mulholland is a fan of the Disney Cruise Line, which offers lots of options for young kids, teens and tweens. Since some cruises have minimum traveling ages, make sure your little ones are old enough to hop aboard with extra summer fun for kids.

3) Use a daycare service
If your hotel doesn’t offer a service or you prefer to do the vetting yourself, find a daycare provider like Premier Academy.

4) Reserve a Room with a View — and a Veranda
Not all families can afford a resort, however, and not all parents can afford or are comfortable turning over responsibility to strangers. Book a hotel room with a balcony, so you and your spouse can take a bottle of wine out to the ‘veranda’ once the kids are asleep. This is an inexpensive and easy option for getting at least a little alone time while vacationing with children.

5) Book a Suite, Adjoining Rooms, a Condo or a House
When the kids are old enough to be in their own room, book a suite, condo or house swap — anything that keeps you in the same space, but gives the parents a separate room (with a door that locks) and gives the kids their own space (with a TV to keep them engaged). You’ll be able to watch over your kids, but still enjoy some privacy all the while providing summer fun for kids.

6) Plan a Multigenerational Vacation 
Make this a real family vacation and bring grandma and grandpa along. 40 percent of families have gone on a multigenerational vacation. In an era where many grandparents live in different cities, states or time zones than their grandchildren, a trip can forge bonds far stronger than a simple holiday visit to grandma’s house. Plus, grandparents make great babysitters.

7) Look for the “All-Inclusive” Option
Family camps have gone beyond cabins in the Catskills or dude ranches of the sort often made fun of on sitcoms. Many theme parks and camps have baby care centers and babysitting services. They also offer lots of options for family fun — including kids-only activities and entertainment.

With these tips, you can have the perfect vacation, complete with ample family time and just enough “alone time” with your partner to remind you both how much you enjoy one another’s company.

We want to hear from you. Set up an appointment today and see how much your children will love Premier Academy!

Premier Academy Child Enrichment Center, offers childcare in Omaha, Nebraska for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-k children.

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Best Summer Camp!

Helping Children Make FriendsDid you know that most camp planning takes place in early winter and spring? Just when you were getting over the holiday stress and still bundled in your Snuggie, you need to find the place for your child to get out of the house — um, we mean thrive — this summer.

If the thought of finding a camp just occurred to you, or you have just been putting off the research because you don’t know how to start, you’re not alone. Premier Academy has helpful tips to finding the best summer camp in Omaha, Nebraska.

The best time to visit camps is before the summer. You get to see what they’re all about and the community of kids who go,a youth and summer expert/consultant and founder of Everything Summer. So if you didn’t spend last summer touring, you’ll need to rely heavily on websites, camp reviews and discussions with camp staff and alumnae. Which means you need to know how to navigate sites, narrow down your options and ask the right questions for finding the best summer camp. And we’re here to help.

  1. Make it a Family Affair
    Before you surf the Web, think about your child’s favorite activities and interests and start a discussion at an informal family dinner. Talk with him about what new things he has always wanted to learn and what kinds of things get him stressed. He might not answer you then and there but check back in a few days and he’ll probably have an answer that will help start research for the best summer camp.
  2. Talk to Other Parents
    Ask friends and family where their kids had wonderful camp experiences. But ask the right questions to weed through all the glowing reviews. “Pose specific situations and parents will be honest,” says Tipograph.Talk about circumstances that concern you. Has your child ever been bullied and how did the camp handle it? If my daughter is shy or overweight, how will he be treated by other kids? What if my son is not the greatest athlete — will he have fun at the camp?
  3. Search Online
    Make a date to sit down at the computer with your child and research camps together. Keep a positive attitude and be enthusiastic about the process. With encouragement, even a reluctant child will channel your excitement. If you’re nervous, your child will be, too.
  4. Consider the Summer Goals
    Just because your niece flourished at an adventure camp doesn’t mean your daughter will do the same.Camps’ websites often have videos that allow you to get a sense of the relationships campers form and the flow of the days. Does it look like your child will fit in? Does the camp appear to be rustic or more pampered? Ask your daughter about her goals for camp. Maybe she wants to develop her sense of leadership and explore nature or maybe she wants to be able to draw and paint all day without breaking a sweat about finding the best summer camp.
  1. Talk to the Director
    The director is the person who should have all your camp answers. And you should be loaded with questions. A few things you want to know: Where most campers are from/go to school; dynamics of the kids in each age group; the kind of child who is most successful in that camp environment; the return rate. You don’t want to send your child to an environment that just replicates her school, states Tipograph. A good sign: If campers flock back year after year, it says something positive about how the camp is run.
  2. Make a Short List
    When you look at too many camps, it’s overwhelming and it’s easy to get frazzled. Tipograph suggests narrowing down your list to three distinctly-different camps. If your son’s goal is to stay local and work on his backhand, consider: a day camp with a traditional setting that offers tennis as an elective; a day camp that focuses on multiple sports and not just tennis so he won’t burn out; and a tennis-only camp. Once you have everything narrowed down, you need to meet as a family once again and review the choices.

We want to hear from you. Set up an appointment today and see how much your children will love Premier Academy!

Premier Academy Child Enrichment Center offers childcare in Omaha, Nebraska for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-k children.

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