Bluebonnet School of Canyon Creek Now Open

Bluebonnet School of Cedar Park now has a sister school. Bluebonnet School announces the opening of Bluebonnet School of Canyon Creek in the Canyon Creek neighborhood, 10321 Boulder Lane (just off 620 adjacent to the Church at Canyon Creek).

Families seeking exceptional preschool and afterschool care who travel 620 should check out this beautiful facility.  Convenient to Canyon Creek, Grandview Hills , Riverplace, and

Bluebonnet School of Canyon Creek

Steiner Ranch, Cedar Park & Anderson Mill, Bluebonnet School of Canyon Creek is located just off the southern end of Boulder Lane at 620.

Bluebonnet School of Canyon Creek will maintain the high standards of care and small group sizes that are so familiar to Bluebonnet families.  The new facility will offer infant, toddler, preschool, pre-kindergarten and school-age summer camp.  Beginning with the new school year in August, after-school care and even a private kindergarten will be offered.

Bluebonnet at Canyon Creek ’s private kindergarten will accept children who turn five after September 1, unlike public schools which limit enrollment to children who turn five prior to September 1.

According to Bluebonnet owner Nancy Chick, “Our primary goal has always been to provide the highest quality care possible, and we are looking forward to providing that same level of quality at both Canyon Creek and Cedar Park.”

The original Bluebonnet School at Cedar Park is recognized nationally in several ways.  It received the National Child Care Center of the Year Award in 2007 by the National Association of Child Care Professionals (NACCP).  The facility has been accredited by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) since 2004 and by NAC (through NACCP) since 2008.  It is the only facility in Texas to be accredited by both agencies.

The new facility at Canyon Creek will immediately begin self-study, the first phase of accreditation for both agencies. “Accreditation by a rigorous national accrediting body raises the standards maintained by a facility enormously.  Accreditation by two national agencies keeps a facility constantly monitoring the teachers’ interaction with children, policies, curriculum, safety practices and even administrative practices,” Chick said.

To learn more about Bluebonnet School of Canyon Creek, call 512-219-5100 or go to www.bluebonnetschool.com.

Taming a Toddler

Taming a toddler can be among the most trying tasks of motherhood. Toddlers’ natural urges to explore and discover can help them learn more about the world around them, but they can also wreak havoc on your house. If you have reached the stage of parenting where you always feel like you are running, and you cannot wait for bedtime, you may benefit from some tips on taming a toddler.

•  Get your house ready.Childproofing is extremely important, for your child’s sake and the sake of your home. Put away your knickknacks, at least for the time being, and put safety latches on everything that may present a hazard. The goal isto minimize the need for supervision, so that you can let your little one safely explore.
• Taming a toddler may mean taming your own temper. Yelling is ineffective, and the best way to handle your little whirlwind is with calm but firm authority on a consistent basis. Do not phrase your wishes in the form of a question, but assert your authority, stating clearly and calmly what you want to see happen. The best way to communicate is to get on the child’s eye level, so that he will understand you clearly.
• Plan ahead, to avoid catastrophe. What if you could find a way to eliminate the need for taming a toddler? Sometimes, you can! Make sure your child’s needs are met before you attempt an outing. For instance, a tired, hungry child is sure to be more of a challenge than one who is content. Once you know you have his needs under control, proceed with a plan in mind for how you will handle a problem if it occurs.
• Discipline without hesitation. Discipline does not mean punishment; it means guiding a child into changing his behavior. Timeouts can work wonders for an unruly tot, but make sure to enforce them at the first infraction. Multiple warnings teach a child that you do not mean business, and he is more likely to test your limits if he is unsure where the boundaries lie.
• Keep the screen time to a minimum. You may think that plunking your child in front of a television is a viable way of taming a toddler, but in reality, TV shortens children’s attention spans. If you are not willing to forgo the electronic babysitter completely, limit television viewing to under thirty minutes per day. Your child needs interaction and exploration, not passive entertainment.
• Choose toys that spark the imagination. Blocks, construction sets, dolls, toy kitchen items, and other things that draw a child into imaginative play will help to build his IQ. Children learn best by playing, because pretending helps them learn more about the world around them. Reading to your children is also a great way to offer stimulation, while occupying them in a quiet activity.
• Keep quiet time sacred. Many toddlers still take naps, but even if yours doesn’t, it is important to institute a daily quiet time. If you have a non-napper, allow him to look at books or listen to soft music, as long as he stays still in his bed for at least thirty minutes.
• Find a school that shares your goals. The right preschool can give your child the stimulation, and you the break, that you both need. Choose a school that allows children plenty of time to learn through play, has a good ratio of adults to children, and that communicates with the parents effectively.

Taming a toddler may seem like a daunting task, but the joy your little one brings is sure to surpass the challenges. The right school can be a partner in taming endeavor. Bluebonnet School is well equipped to help you manage the toddler years, offering nurturing childcare that helps children reach their full potential. To learn more tips about raising a toddler and to learn more about Bluebonnet School, visit our website and join us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Tips For Picking The Right Preschool

Bluebonnet School offers tips on finding the right preschool for your child. Ask yourself these questions when you are touring a potential child care facility. To learn more tips visit our website.

After School Care & Summer Camp In Austin

Bluebonnet school offers Summer Camp in Austin as well as after school care. Bluebonnet is the only preschool in Texas accredited by both NAEYC and NAC. To learn more visit our website or call for a tour today! http://www.bluebonnetschool.com

For more information, visit us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!

Summer Camp Austin – Bluebonnet School

Are you looking for a fun and affordable children’s summer camp Austin? Bluebonnet School Summer Day Camp is just such a program! We want children to enjoy engaging activities to liven up their summer. Here’s a look at our summer camp Austin program and what you can expect.

We offer summer camp in two-week sessions to children who will be in the first through

sixth grades in fall 2012. Our campus is open from 6:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tuition for the summer camp Austin includes a nutritious lunch and two snacks each day prepared by our very own chef. With your permission, we also provide sunscreen for your child.

Our summer camp Austin comes complete with on-site projects, camp visitors, field trips, swimming supervised by Red Cross-certified lifeguards, fun at the water park, quiet story time, and outdoor play in the spacious, shaded playing fields on campus. There are optional activities for your children to choose from as well, including guitar, violin and piano lessons, swim lessons, cheerleading, karate and soccer. Every activity your child participates in at this summer camp Austin is designed to get them active, spark their imagination, encourage creativity and make new friends.

Children participate in their age-appropriate activities in groups, with each group managed by a a certified counselor. . During your child’s time at our summer camp Austin, the facility remains locked for their safety. Internet classroom viewing is also available for parents.

If you are interested in enrolling your child in our summer camp Austin, please call 512-331-9009 to schedule a visit to our campus. We are located in northwest Austin, just off RR 620. You can also fill out an enrollment applicationonline. During a visit to the campus,

parents will have the opportunity to explore the facility, look over our planned curriculum and meet with the counselors who will be in charge of your child. We also provide you with more details about tuition and fees during your visit.

Applications to our summer camp Austin are accepted continually, but we give priority to children who already have siblings enrolled in the program. Contact us today to learn more!

Bluebonnet School Announces Open Enrollment for Summer Camp

Offered in two-week sessions, this Austin summer day camp is open to students who will be entering grades one through six in the fall of 2012 and emphasizes creativity, exploration, making new friends and staying active.

Bluebonnet School is pleased to announce open enrollment for its Austin summer camp, known as Bluebonnet School Summer Day Camp. The camp is offered in two-week sessions to children who will be in the first through sixth grades in fall 2012. The camp is open from 6:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Part of the tuition covers the cost of a nutritious lunch and two snacks each day prepared by the school’s very own chef. Bluebonnet also provides and applies sunscreen, with parent permission.

Bluebonnet School’s summer camp Austin includes onsite projects, camp visitors and field trips, all designed to spark a child’s imagination. Activities include swimming, supervised by Red Cross-certified lifeguards, fun on the water park, quiet story time, outdoor play on the spacious and shady playing fields, and field trips based on that week’s educational theme. The summer camp places a continual emphasis on creativity, exploration, making new friends, and staying active. Optional activities offered include guitar, violin and piano lessons, swim lessons, cheerleading, karate, and soccer.

At this Austin summer camp, all enrolled children are divided into smaller groups by age so that experienced, certified counselors can provide individual attention to each child. The facility is locked with electronic access for the children’s safety, and Internet classroom viewing is available for parents.

Parents who are interested in enrolling their child in Bluebonnet School Austin summer camp should call the school at 512-331-9009 to set up a visit to the campus. When parents come for a visit, they can explore the classrooms and campus, look over the curriculum and meet the counselors. The campus is located in NW Austin, just off RR 620. More information about tuition and fees will be available at the time of the visit.

Applications are accepted continually, but priority is given to children who already have siblings enrolled. Parents can also fill out an application for enrollment online.

ABOUT BLUEBONNET SCHOOL
Bluebonnet is licensed by Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), which regulates programs operating more than 120 days a year. Youth camps in Texas that operate only in the summer are licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Many summer camps are not regulated by any state agency.

The rules from DFPS are much more stringent than the guidelines set forth by the state health department regarding safety and health standards, training of staff on child discipline and appropriate interaction, qualifications of administrators, and background checks of staff. Parents who care about their child’s safety need to know the difference.

Bluebonnet follows even higher standards than those set forth by DFPS. In fact, Bluebonnet School of Cedar Park is the only facility in Texas accredited by both the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the National Accreditation Commission (NAC) . In NAEYC and NAC accredited facilities, parents will see demanding safety and sanitation practices, frequent warm interactions between teachers and children, smaller groups sizes, well-trained teachers, consistent two-way communication with families, nutritious meals and effective administration.

Establishing Limits with Your Child

As parents, one of the toughest and most important jobs is setting limits and boundaries for your children.   Children need to know what to expect and what is expected of them.  These two simple things make a child feel safe and allow them to develop and learn.  Establishing limits with your child can be tough when it leads to power struggles between the adult and the child.  To reduce the amount of frustration on the child our first response may to

give in or let the child have their way, but this is also the most harmful response.  Here are a few tips to creating and keeping limits for your child.

Establish the limits early on.  These should be rules of the household that are agreed upon by both parents.  Bed times, and sleeping arrangements, tv and computer time limits, limits on sugars and sweets, behavior expectations etc.   Establishing your beliefs and talking with your spouse about these early on will reduce the amount of confusion later when these rules will come into play.

Be consistent- setting a routine especially for bed times and morning routines is important for children.  They need to know that they can count on what is going to happen next.  Children cannot tell time so when you start your routine is not as important as the order that you have established.

Allow for choices- as children get older they develop a sense of self and independence.  This is the time when they need to feel more control, in order to fuel this need give your child choices that you can live with and that don’t challenge your already established routines.  For example, let your child decide what PJ’s they want to wear the red ones or the blue ones.  They can choose if they want bubbles or toys in the bath.

Use positive redirection and praise- Children need attention and they will take whatever attention they are given so why not keep it positive.  Instead of telling your child not to run ask them to walk instead, if they are refusing to get into bed, start counting and ask them how quickly they can get under the covers.

Experts agree that boundaries are an important part of parenting. The National Association of School Psychologists has stated: “Limits can help children feel that the world is orderly, predictable, and safe. Parents should consider the child’s age and development when setting limits. Limits should be enforced consistently, and there should be clear and appropriate consequences when those limits are challenged.” By establishing limits with your child from the very beginning, you will be guiding him/her down the right path towards adulthood.

• Children are not adults. Often, parents get frustrated because they feel they have already explained something to a child, so the child should no longer make the mistake. However, a big part of parenting is patience –  this means understanding your child does not respond the same way an adult would, and may need more help learning to do the correct thing.
• Very small children need limits to keep them safe. Baby-proofing your house is a good safety measure, but it is equally important to house-proof your baby! Teaching them that some things are off limits will set a precedent of respect for the possessions of others. When he or she is small, establishing limits with your child involves redirection, eye contact, and the word “no”, spoken in a firm but pleasant tone.
• Preschoolers need simple demonstrations and explanations. Most of the “naughtiness” that occurs before age three is a matter of curiosity and exploration. Teach your child the right way to do things; it is not enough to say, “Don’t pull Kitty’s tail”– you need to show the child the right way to pet Kitty. In the years between three and five, kids are beginning to understand right and wrong, so a simple explanation of the rules can make a big difference. Keep the list of rules short and easy to understand, because little ones do not have a very long attention span.
• Accentuate the positive. Positive comments for good behavior will peak your child’s interest in doing the right thing. Saying “no” all the time will discourage the child and cause him/her to ignore you, but establishing limits with your child does not have to be a negative experience! Focus on guiding your children to monitor their own behavior, and you will foster a sense of security and accomplishment.

Bluebonnet School provides child care with a deep commitment to helping children reach their full potential, all through quality education and fostering good parenting. To learn more about establishing limits with your child and other parenting tips, visit us on Facebook and Twitter. For more information on Bluebonnet School, visit our website or call us for a tour.