Early childhood education is crucial to children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. The early years are the most formative period of a child’s neurological growth.  It is crucial to keep several things in mind when choosing a childcare centre for your child. Importantly, early childhood education instills a love for learning within your child. 

So how can you find the best childcare centre? There are several types of preschools/childcare centres:

Play-based: These programs (also called "play schools") focus on the development of social skills and a love of attending school through free play and minimally structured activities.

Montessori: Montessori programs have a child-centred approach: kids get a lot of freedom to pick their own tasks and activities (with the guidance of the teacher). 

Waldorf: Waldorf programs offer hands-on activities. The programs emphasize on arts and crafts, creativity, and imaginative and play-based learning.

Reggio Emilia: These programs have a co-constructed curriculum: children and teachers choose tasks and activities together. It also involves lots of open-ended projects that require critical and creative thinking.

Religious-affiliated: These programs are created and run by religious institutions or schools and are faith-based. 

Now that you know the types of teaching philosophies/schools available, you need to keep several points in mind while choosing a childcare centre or preschool. 

1. The staff: How do the teachers interact with students? Do they update parents about the progress of the child frequently? Are they approachable, friendly, and do they provide the kind of environment you want your child to be in?
2. Safety: Does the school provide a safe space for your child to play and learn in? It’s important for you to be able to trust the teachers, facilities, and the environment your child will be in, particularly when you’re not present. Do the classrooms have child-sized furniture? Is the classroom colourful with children’s artwork? Is there adequate space for children to move around? Is there video streaming? These are some of the questions you should ask yourself.
3. Communication: Is there regular communication between the school and parents? Do you get individual feedback on your child? Having the reassurance that the teacher takes the time to get to know your child individually and understand his/her strengths and weaknesses can better help you aid your child’s development at home, too. 
4. Class Size: How large or small is the class size? What’s the student-teacher ratio? Will your child get individualized, adequate attention? It’s important to keep this in mind. 
5. Curriculum: Does the school provide enough time for work and play? While academic knowledge is very important, play forms a large part of the child’s growth as well. A comprehensive teaching plan with hands-on play and a variety of activities such as music, dance, outdoor play, and arts are needed for the all-around development of your child. 

Academics Prekindergarten is a leading group of childcare centres in North America specializing in early childhood education. Academics PreKindergarten focuses on children's learning experiences; with an emphasis on parent communication and partnership. The school has a distinct education model; Academics Edge, which builds a foundation in math, science, reading, writing, and physical and social-emotional literacy.

Academics PreKindergarten offers programs for different age groups:

• 10 months  – 2 years (infants)
• 2 – 3 years (toddlers)
• 3 – 4 years (preK2)
• 4 – 5 years (preK3)

The schools have a learning-led education model: Academics Edge, for different age groups, specific to each development stage. An environment that stimulates your child’s senses and promotes learning opportunities can greatly impact their growth. Choosing the right preschool is key.

There are several benefits to buying your own franchise and taking control of your life. If you’re wondering why it’s a better alternative to starting your own business, the following reasons should be enough to convince you.

Franchises have a strong foundation.

Many people choose to start a franchise instead of building their own company from scratch because there’s already a strong business foundation. The brand, marketing, and almost all the things that new business owners are usually concerned about are already in place. Additionally, most franchises have business reports and KPIs that provide information to help you figure out how to run your franchise and make informed business decisions.

It’s easier to obtain financing.

It’s not easy to come up with the capital to start your own company. It might take time to get a small business loan from a bank, especially if you’re a sole proprietor. While franchises can cost a lot to purchase and operate, it typically doesn’t involve much struggle to get your hands on a loan. As franchises are part of recognizable brands, they tend to seem more credible to banks and lenders.

Higher likelihood of success.

When you start off with a strong foundation, as with franchises, you’re more likely to succeed. As there’s already an established system in place, combined with the business support, your company is more likely to succeed than if you try to figure out the nuances of running a business on your own.

You still get the experience of a startup.

It is extremely fulfilling to build your own company from scratch. However, there’s also a lot of risks involved in starting a business. Fortunately, starting a franchise can provide the same satisfying experience with managed risk.

Franchises are more supportive.

Many new business owners can’t rely on anyone but themselves. In contrast, someone joining a franchise has an entire company behind them, providing support and advice. Franchise owners can take advantage of the knowledge and experience franchisee peers have to offer and to make sure their franchise succeeds.

Academics Prekindergarten is a leading group of childcare centres in North America specializing in early childhood education. The school focuses on children's learning experiences, with an emphasis on parent communication and partnership. Academics Prekindergarten has a distinct education model; Academics Edge, which builds a foundation in math, science, reading, writing, and physical and social-emotional literacy.

Academics Prekindergarten provides personal, in-depth support to its franchisees. The school is looking for entrepreneurs and professionals in Canada and the United States who want to be business owners and have a desire to shape the future.

If you’re interested in becoming a franchise partner, Academics Prekindergarten guides its franchisees through its Academics Roadmap, provide sites for selection, manage design and development, and train franchisees for business ownership. This training ensures that all schools offer the highest quality in child care and early education in North America.

Franchise locations currently available for Academics Prekindergarten include Burnaby, Richmond, Victoria, Vancouver, and Squamish in British Columbia. Become a franchise partner, contact franchise@academicsprek.com.

Ikumen After (Vol. 1) by Kazuma Kodaka
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Read from March 20 to 21, 2014

A sweet story of two dads falling in love and their struggles as single parents. They shared parenting tips and help support each other. For Izumi, it's love at first sight, he was practically drooling all over his child's pre-school friend's handsome daddy. As for Asakura, he found his feelings for Izumi deepens each day without realizing the nature of his affection towards another guy.

The story of Vol. 1 ends with a direct brazen confession that left Asakura flustered. I can't wait to follow the love story of these two single dad with their cute kids. I am pretty sure Asakura would overcome his confusion and acknowledge Izumi's love for him. Usually I don't quite like kids in my M/M or Yaoi books but the kids here are super cute. They mirror their daddies so much yet unlike their daddies, they are very honest and straightforward with their feelings. The adults has much to learn from them.

The artwork was good and the story was interesting and entertaining but I don't think this series could be compared to Kizuna - Bonds of Love Book 1, Kodaka sensei's earlier accomplished yaoi series. Kizuna was unforgettably good. So good that it is basically a must-read for all Yaoi fans.




BOOK DETAILS:

Title: Ikumen After 1.
Associated Names: イクメン☆アフター
Author: Kazuma Kodaka
Publication Date: 2010
Type: Serialized BL Manga
Genre: , Comedy, Drama, Shounen Ai, Slice of Life, Contemporary, Romance
Tags/Keywords: Gay-for-you, Childcare, Divorced Parent/s, Father-Son Relationship, LGBT Parent/s, Love at First Sight, Older Uke, Younger Seme, Salaryman, Single Father, Single Parent, Widow/Widower

Description:
This is a really cute, sweet story about two single dads Asakura and Kentarou, whose young sons happen to go to the same daycare.



* Reviewed on March 21st, 2014

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