Questions You Should Ask a Daycare Before Enrolling
At the Academy, we get lots of questions from parents who are looking for the best daycare Nashville has to offer for their children. In our blog this month, we want to share these questions with you, and encourage you to be asking these questions of any facility where you might enroll your child. You can find our answers to many of the questions below by downloading our handbook.
General
How many children are in the daycare?
What is the ratio of children to workers?
What is the cost of tuition?
Are there any extras included in the tuition?
Are any discounts available (second sibling, advanced payment, etc.)?
What happens if we’re late to pick-up or need to miss a day?
Is there a waiting list?
Are you licensed by the state or governing authority?
What is your philosophy of education and what curriculum do you use to support it?
Childcare
What is a typical day like?
How do you handle behavior problems like biting, hitting, or aggressiveness?
Can you handle cloth diapers?
What is the potty-training procedure?
How often do you sanitize toys and materials used by the children?
Food Questions
Do you serve meals and snacks or do I need to provide these?
Do you accept children with food allergies?
How do you safeguard children who have food allergies?
Can a mother drop by to breast-feed her baby?
What is your policy concerning baby bottle preparation?
Must parents provide bottles prepared in advance?
Will you mix formula?
Can you handle frozen or pumped breast milk?
Employees
What degrees, certifications, or training do your staff members have?
Do you conduct background checks on all your employees?
What is your rate of employee turnover?
Do you administer prescribed medicine?
Are workers trained in CPR and other life-saving methods?
Health, Safety, and Communication
What are your policies for illness?
What are your policies regarding immunizations?
How do you keep parents informed about their child’s daily activities or behavior?
The Academy is an award-winning educational preschool with 5 day cares in Franklin, TN as well as other locations throughout Greater Nashville in Brentwood, Spring Hill, Hendersonville and Murfreesboro. If you are looking for the day cares Nashville has to offer please consider The Academy and check out all of our locations to find one near you.
Making Christmas Memories with Books
Christmas is the perfect time for spending time with your children. And what better way to spend time together than to curl up with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate. Children’s books are certainly plentiful. But that’s the problem. There are so many choices!
We are happy to come to the rescue. Here are some of our recommendations – all available at Amazon.com.
Books for Young Children
For very young children, we love board books, touch and feel books, and lift-flap books. All of these types of book encourage children to be involved. Thick pages are easy for little fingers to turn, textures capture a child’s attention, and lift-the-flap books encourage children to be active in the story. Here’s a short list to consider in this category:
The Itsy Bitsy Snowman, Jeff Burton, a board book
Christmas in the Manger, Nola Buck, a board book
A Christmas Wish for Corduroy, B. G. Hennessy, a board book
Dear Santa, Rod Campbell, a lift-the-flap book
Where is Baby’s Christmas Present, Karen Katz, a lift-the-flap book
Baby Touch and Feel: Christmas, DK
Merry Christmas, Roger Priddy, touch and feel book
Books for Pre-K Age Children
Children from 3 to 4 can sit still for a longer story, especially if the illustrations are captivating. You will recognize some of the characters in this list of books:
Santa’s Stuck, Rhonda Gowler Greene The story, told in rhyme, of how Santa eats too many desserts along the way on Christmas Eve and gets stuck in a chimney.
Pinkalicious: Merry Pinkmas! by Victoria Kann
Tells the story of what else? – a pink Christmas tree. Comes with poster, cards, and sticker sheet.
God Gave Us Christmas, Lisa Tawn Bergren
As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder…
Madeline’s Christmas, Ludwig Bemelmans
All of the famous “twelve little girls in two straight lines” are sick in bed except brave Madeline, who must run the school. With help from a magical merchant, Madeline takes the girls on a Christmas journey that make them forget their sniffles and sneezes.
Danny and the Dinosaur: A Very Dino Christmas, Syd Hoff
Danny helps his friend the dinosaur celebrate his first ever Christmas. But the museum director isn’t so happy with the new museum decorations. Comes with 8 holiday cards, a poster, and stickers.
The Smallest Gift of Christmas, Peter H. Reynolds
Roland can’t wait for Christmas Day. But the tiny present he finds makes him wish for something bigger . . . and bigger . . . and bigger. It’s a cautionary tale of “be-careful-what-you-wish-for.”
Books for Preschoolers
Consider electronic books for this age group, especially for those that already have tablets. We have some print book suggestions and some Kindle Edition suggestions in this category. Note that many books give you the Kindle Edition for free when you buy the print copy. Others are only available in Kindle format.
How Santa Got His Job, Stephen Krensky
A contemporary, funny, and original look at how Santa Claus acquired all the skills that have made him the great success he is today.
Christmas Fun Mad Libs, Roger Price
Kids of all ages love these, and preschoolers are no exception.
GROSS GUS’s Rotten Christmas (Kindle Edition), Kally Mayer
The story of a “bad” boy told in rhyme.
Christmas Stories, Sigal Adler, (Kindle Edition):
A collection of bedtime Christmas stories for preschoolers.
Reading is Fun – damental
At the Academy, we believe that reading is very important. But we think it should be fun as well as educational. If you have questions about our curriculum and reading programs, please click here to send us a request for more information.
November was the start of two very busy months of the year for everyone. It’s no different for all The Academy centers in and around Nashville. During November, our day care and preschool centers focused our children’s attention in four directions:
Giving to the Community At the Academy, we believe that children are never too young to learn about helping others by giving. During these two months, our centers are reaching out to their communities by collecting canned goods and food for organization like Second Harvest and coats for One Warm Coat.
Being Thankful
Many activities at The Academy during the month of November revolved around being thankful. Teaching children the importance of thankfulness is a great counterbalance to the consumer-mentality that is so pervasive in our environment today.
Learning about Thanksgiving
The students loved learning about the pilgrims and Thanksgiving traditions. Of course, there was no spate of turkey-related crafts. And, our children even made their own pies.
Delighting in Family Time
At the Academy, we are one of your best cheerleaders for spending time together as a family. One of our yearly family activities at our centers, is Thanksgiving lunch. This is a time when parents, grandparents, and extended family can come to enjoy lunch with our students. In the spirit of thankfulness, we say “thank you” to all those who were able to attend this year.
Christmas is Coming!
For up-coming Christmas events, please visit our Events page. Find out about what Olaf will be up to and how you can be a part of Junk in the Trunk.
A Little More About the Academy
If you live or work in Brentwood, Franklin, Hendersonville, Murfreesboro, Nashville or Spring Hill, then one of our award-winning preschools and child care centers is just minutes away from you.
The Academy preschools in Greater Nashville offer unmatched educational and enrichment programs in state-of-the-art facilities. Our award-winning Frog Street Press Curriculum makes The Academy the leader in educational preschools in Nashville. For preschool locations and additional information see below:
Parents of new children often wonder, “When should my child first see a pediatric dentist?” The Academy has partnered with local pediatric dentist Snodgrass King to offer some advice that will help answer this question.
What is the earliest you encourage parents to bring their baby in for a dental checkup?
Your child’s first pediatric dentist appointment should occur shortly after the first tooth erupts and no later than the child’s first birthday. Beginning tooth and mouth examinations early may lead to detection of early stages of tooth decay that can be easily treated.
What would you go over or do during such a visit?
There are multiple topics that need to be discussed at the first dental appointment which include:
Proper bottle-feeding and nursing techniques
Proper brushing techniques, which include what toothbrush to use and how; how much toothpaste to use, and what kind of toothpaste to use
Proper flossing techniques and the best types of floss for children
How and when to encourage your child to stop using a pacifier or their thumb/ finger for comfort
What are some things parents can do at home to begin a healthy oral hygiene routine?
Read your child books about going to the dentist, for example, Sesame Street’s “Ready, Set, Brush”. You can also prepare your child for what’s to come by starting proper home oral care at an early age. Then they will be used to getting their mouth cleaned and taken care of, and won’t be surprised at the dentist.
Show your child that oral care isn’t scary! Brush and floss your teeth in front of them, and act enthusiastic about it. Then, when you have to go to the dentist, talk about it excitedly. Avoid talking about pain or discomfort and emphasize how healthy their teeth and smile will be afterward. This will help ensure your child that the dentist isn’t a scary place.
Request More Information
If you have additional questions about your child’s dental care please visit www.snodgrassking.com.
What Makes The Academy the Best Child Care in Spring Hill?
A Google search for child care Spring Hill can yield literally thousands of results, but the question that a Google search cannot answer is, “Which child care is the best?” That’s the important question, isn’t it? – not which one is the closest, or which one is the least expensive, or which one is the newest/oldest. It’s a question of which one is the best for your child.
We’d like to make the case that The Academy of Heritage Commons provides the best child care Spring Hill has to offer. We could go on and on about some of our great qualities:
Our teaching staff – one of the finest in Spring Hill and Thompson Station
Our curriculum, designed around the latest scientific early brain development research
Our facilities that subscribe to The Gold Sneaker Initiative, developed to enhance health and wellness in licensed child care facilities across Tennessee
Winning the Best of Parenting award for nine straight years
but we’d rather go on and on about your children. Your children are the greatest! We love to love and care for them every day.
The Child Care Spring Hill Parents Are Looking For
Your children deserve the best and they inspire us to be the best child care in Spring Hill. With every program we implement, every activity we plan, every special guest we invite, the thought that your child deserves the best motivates us.
Our Promise to You for Your Peace of Mind
As the parents of the greatest kids in the world, you deserve the best too. So here is our promise to you: We promise to provide the highest quality of preschool education, mix in a lot of fun, always care for your child with love, and keep your child safe.
Seeing Is Believing
We invite you to schedule a tour at The Academy of Heritage Commons so you can see our promise “live.” Contact us today at (615) 591-4040 to see why the Academy is considered one of the best preschools in Spring Hill.
Academy Wins Best Child Care in Nashville 2016
If you are searching for the best child care Nashville has to offer, look no further than The Academy. We are excited to announce that The Academy has once again won the 2016 Best of Parenting award given out by Nashville Parent magazine. This will mark the 9th year in a row that The Academy has won this award. This honor has been awarded to The Academy in both Williamson County and Rutherford County.
Every year, the magazine asks its readers to vote on the “Best of Parenting” awards in nine areas. Each area has multiple categories, and readers vote on over 45 awards. So it is no small feat to earn the award for nine years running.
The Academy Offers Child Care Nashville Parents Absolutely Love
Don’t take our word for it. We ask you to listen to what some of our parents have to say. These reviews from actual Academy parents will tell you why year after year we are considered the best child care Nashville parents can find.
In case you don’t have time to read tons of reviews, here are just a few of the comments:
Teachers are loving, attentive, patient and caring . . .
They have healthy snacks and meals and . . . tons of physical activity.
What can I say? They are AMAZING!
They update and change out the toy variety regularly to keep interest.
It’s comforting to find a place where we can bring both kids and know that they are being well cared for!
I appreciate . . . the . . . activities the Academy hosts (i.e., Easter egg hunts, Earth Day picnics, etc.) where precious memories are formed with our family.
Convenient Child Care Locations in Greater Nashville
Child Care in Brentwood That Feels Like a Second Home
“We reflect the community to the degree that children feel like this is their second home,” says Lauren Demain, Director of The Academy of Maryland Farms. “I believe The Academy offers the kind of child care Brentwood TN residents expect.” Brentwood parents also concur. They have voted The Academy the Best of Parenting winner in Williamson County every year since 2008!
3 Reasons Parents Choose The Academy for Child Care
When we say that The Academy offers the best child care Brentwood TN has to offer, we can lay claim to three main reasons:
Excellent Care When caring for your child, we are concerned for your child’s happiness, comfort, safety, and your peace of mind. It is our desire to create a nurturing environment that safeguards your child’s health and well-being.
Professional Teachers and Staff Only the best teachers and care givers are hired at The Academy. We realize that they are the reason we can offer such high quality care and preschool education. Our teachers are also highly trained professionals. They are certified in CPR, First Aid, Baby Sign Language and trained in SIDS prevention too.
Outstanding Curriculum With our curriculum, we will prepare your child to meet the kindergarten readiness standards of public and private schools. We will also prepare them to exceed them! Our Pre-Scholar Enrichments also enhance the daily activities with additional hands-on learning experiences and special guest “experts.”
Request Child Care Information or Schedule a Tour
Open spots fill up quickly at The Academy preschools in Brentwood! If you would like to make an enrollment inquiry or request more information, please click below.
Why Parents Choose The Academy for Child Care in Hendersonville, TN
Just because kids are little, doesn’t mean they don’t have “big ideas.” At The Academy, we prove that every day! Our preschool curriculum encourages kids to think big and look for the answers to their own questions. The Academy of Indian Lake Village is widely considered the best child care Hendersonville TN has to offer.
5 Reasons Parents Choose The Academy
1) The Feel of “Family Care”
As a parent, you want your child to be in an environment that feels as comfortable and as secure as your family home. That’s what we provide at The Academy. You can have complete peace of mind when you leave your child with us. Our staff is warm and friendly—just like family.
2) Safety & Security
Although you might not find it necessary to have security cameras in your home, we use webcams and other security measures to ensure a safe environment for your child while in our care.
3) The Skill of Highly Trained Child Care Providers/Teachers Our teachers are professional, highly trained, and certified in CPR, First Aid, and Baby Sign Language. And all are trained in SIDS Prevention. Our child care providers and teachers are the backbone of our high quality care and preschool education.
4) Kindergarten Preparedness
Daily lesson plans intentionally cover a range of activities designed to prepare our children for meeting the kindergarten readiness standards of public and private schools. But we don’t stop there. We enhance the curriculum with special activities to exceed the readiness standards, giving your child a little more self-confidence in the process!
5) Pre-Scholar Enrichments
The Academy’s Pre-Scholar Enrichments enhance the daily curriculum with hands-on learning experiences and special guest “experts.” It’s one more reason kids love The Academy. And here’s the best part – the cost of Pre-scholar Enrichments is included in the tuition.
Request Child Care Information or Schedule a Tour
Open spots fill up quickly at The Academy preschools! If you would like to make an enrollment inquiry or request more information please click below.
5 Reasons to Choose The Academy for Child Care in Franklin, TN
There are many reasons that The Academy is considered the best child care Franklin TN has to offer. When you choose the Academy for child care, you and your child will benefit in many ways. Below are five reasons parents choose the Academy preschools in Franklin for child care.
1) Absolute Peace of Mind
You know how you feel when you leave your child with a trusted relative like Grandma? You know Grandma loves your child, and you are confident that your child is in good hands. Well, that’s the same feeling you get when you leave your child at The Academy. Our warm and friendly staff feels just like family. We also go to extra lengths to provide you with peace of mind by employing security measures and using webcams.
2) Caring & Highly Trained Child Care Providers/Teachers
We can’t say enough about our teachers. In addition to being a warm, caring, and happy, our teachers are professional and highly trained. They create a fun and rich learning environment where children can “grow, learn, and play.”
Teachers are all CPR and First Aid Certified, certified in Baby Sign Language, and trained in SIDS Prevention.
Continued education and training is an essential part of our commitment to offering the highest quality of care and the finest preschool education.
3) Award Winning Curriculum
Our child care programming and curriculum has been proven excellent by meeting and exceeding the kindergarten readiness standards for the state of Tennessee. However, The Academy is not satisfied with just meeting standards. We enhance the curriculum with menu incorporations, special activities, special guests, and much more.
4) Enrichment Programs
The Academy’s enrichment program, called Pre-Scholar Enrichments, is included in the cost of tuition, and it enhances the daily academic curriculum. It gives children a wealth of hands-on learning experience by special guest who are experts in their fields.
5) Convenient Child Care Locations in Franklin, TN
The Academy has 5 child care locations across Franklin, TN. Wherever you live in Franklin there is an Academy location within a short drive. Click on any of our Academy locations in Franklin below to learn more.
Open spots fill up quickly at The Academy preschools! If you would like to make an enrollment inquiry or request more information please click below.
Child Allergies: Answers to FAQs by Dr. Ryan Duncan
At the Academy, we are committed to being more than just the best preschools in Greater Nashville. We also want to be a resource for our families by partnering with other local businesses and experts in the community to educate and inform parents on issues that are important to your child’s health and development. This month we are partnering with Dr. Ryan Duncan of ENT of Cool Springs.
Introducing Dr. Ryan Duncan
Ryan Duncan, M.D. graduated from Auburn University in 1998 and received his M.D. from the University of Alabama-Birmingham in 2002. He has been practicing in Middle Tennessee since August of 2007, and is currently the founder and medical director of ENT Specialists of Cool Springs and The Tennessee Sinus and Surgery Center.
Allergy Signs and Symptoms
Is your child struggling with allergies? Here are some of the common symptoms of children who suffer from allergic disease:
Sinus and Nasal symptoms: nasal stuffiness, drainage, sinus infections
Sneezing and itching: typical ‘hay fever’ symptoms
Asthma: wheezing and coughing, chest tightness
Eczema: skin irritation or rashes
Frequently Asked Questions
What can cause allergies?
Seasonal symptoms: trees, weeds, grasses. This type of allergic problem typically occurs in school age children.
Year round symptoms: molds, dust mite, animal dander. This can occur at almost any age.
Food: milk, wheat, peanut, shellfish, corn, soy, egg. This can cause a variety of symptoms from nasal and throat symptoms, to bowel, and constitutional symptoms.
How do we determine what your child is allergic to?
A careful history and physical exam can give us a lot of clues as to what may be the offending culprit. For children under the age of 7, we typically choose to allergy test with a blood sample. This can show us moderate to severe types of reactions to certain allergens. Skin testing, which is typically done on older children, is the preferred method of testing because it is generally more sensitive in picking up reactions.
What is the best treatment once you know what your child is allergic to?
Treatment for allergies generally come in three categories:
Avoidance or Environmental Control (More detail below)
Medications (More detail below)
Immunotherapy (More detail below)
Many patients require a combination of these three treatment methods to achieve optimal control of their symptoms.
Detailed Information on Types of Treatment
Environmental Control
If your child can avoid the things you are allergic to, then their symptoms can be minimized. Modifications in your home to decrease dust mites, animal dander, or mold can all be effective. For many allergy sufferers, however, it is very difficult to completely control the environment, especially when they are outside of their own home.
Medications
Allergy medications won’t cure your child’s nasal allergies. They will, however, relieve and sometimes prevent allergy symptoms. There are a variety of options ranging from over the counter to prescription medications and nasal sprays. For many children with nasal allergies, the combination of avoiding allergens and taking allergy medication is enough to control allergy symptoms.
Antihistamines –Taken by mouth, they can help with itchy watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing, as well as itchy skin and hives. Some types cause drowsiness.
Nasal Corticosteroids – Highly effective for allergy symptom control and widely used to stop chronic symptoms. Safe to use in children over long periods of time. Must be used daily for maximal effectiveness. –
Singulair (Montelukast) – This drug works by blocking certain natural substances (leukotrienes) that may cause or worsen asthma and allergies. It helps make breathing easier by reducing swelling (inflammation) in the airways.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is the only method that treats the underlying allergic disease. It is an excellent form of treatment for children who have tried medications or environmental control and are not getting enough relief from their symptoms. It requires frequent, regular exposure to very small amounts of allergen(s) over the course of several years. Immunotherapy comes in two forms: subcutaneous, also called SCIT or ‘allergy shots’, and sublingual also known as SLIT or ‘allergy drops’.
Injection immunotherapy is an effective treatment, but for many kids this is a difficult form of treatment due to the need for weekly shots. Sublingual immunotherapy, or allergy drops, is an off-label use of the same antigens used in allergy shots. Due to the better safety profile of allergy drops, more allergic individuals can benefit from a treatment approach that addresses the cause of the allergies.
There are many benefits to consider with allergy drop treatment including reduced time spent for physician visits, the convenience of taking immunotherapy at home or on the go, the ability to treat a broader array of allergic patients and conditions, and the reduced need for allergy medications.
ENT of Cool Springs
For more information or to talk to Dr. Ryan Duncan about testing your child for allergies please visit www.entofcoolsprings.com or contact ENT of Cool Springs at the information listed below.
ENT of Cool Springs | TN Sinus and Snoring Center
Cool Springs Professional Plaza
2001 Mallory Lane, Suite 202
Franklin, Tennessee 37067
At the Academy, we believe that children are never too young to learn about helping others by giving. During these two months, our centers are reaching out to their communities by collecting canned goods and food for organization like Second Harvest and coats for One Warm Coat.
When we say that The Academy offers the best child care Brentwood TN has to offer, we can lay claim to three main reasons:
