Are you paying too high for your Child Care?

Do you consider the cost of child care too expensive? Parents sometimes complain that the cost of child care seems excessive. But, is it really?


In reality, most child care providers can passionately and accurately argue that our kid's caregivers and early educators aren't paid nearly enough. The early years of a child's life are perhaps the most important times for emotional, physical, social, and even pre-academic development for our youngsters. Yet caregivers are among the lowest paid people in our country, with salaries much below our nation's teachers, even for those with advanced degrees and training. The low pay and high expectations and demands on caregivers often result in high turnover from the job.
Having said that, parents should carefully evaluate their budget in determining what type of child care option is practical and financially affordable. Typically, daycare centers cost less while in-home care comes at a premium. Care providers who watch your child in their home along with other children as well often fall into the middle range of cost.
Parents on a budget should look at hours needed for a caregiver, examine their philosophies of child care, and overall requirements for the family before making the important decision as to who will care for their child. While cost is always a factor, it should never be the sole reason for placement.

PARENTS SHOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT IN THEIR CHOSEN CHILD CARE PROVIDER.

PROTECTING OUR KIDS SAFE AROUND CARS

Many outdoor activities just beckon kids to play on the driveway: drawing with chalk, riding tricycles or bikes with training wheels, or playing with water hoses. But those kid-safe activities can easily turn from fun to tragedy from motorists who unintentionally back over small kids at play.
The number of injuries and deaths from backovers is on the rise. And driveways aren't the only place where kids get backed-over. Parking lots are another hazard area, especially around areas where kids may be standing around or not as closely supervised, like at snow cone stands or parks. Another place where tragic accidents can occur is at daycare centers, schools or places where recreational activities for kids are held. Kids get out of cars and excitedly run to the building ahead of their parents, and their small size makes it hard for motorists to see them.
Many of today's vehicles have so-called "blind spots" where drivers cannot see what is directly behind them. Some higher-end vehicles feature sensors with alarms that go off when the car is close to backing into something (including a child), although most cars do not have the device and there is no federal standard for automotive visibility.
A recent research indicates that at least two children each week are being backed over and killed, indicating that this is a huge issue and growing as more and more cars are on the road. Drivers get into a routine and may assume there is nothing behind them, especially when it's their own driveway. However, the best advice is to always pay extra attention to your surroundings. When backing, even if you have determined the way is clear, continue to be vigilant for any small kids who may make a dash down a sidewalk or dart through parked cars.

Protecting Our Kids Safe Around Cars

• Look behind and around your vehicle before moving it, especially when parked around areas where many kids are.
• Hold your child's hand firmly (even under protest) while walking from a car into a building.
• Never let your child walk or run ahead of you to anyplace where cars are.
• Know where your kids are before moving your vehicle. Make sure all children move safely away from you vehicle where they are in full view before moving the car and that another adult is supervising them--avoiding the last-second dash to pick up a toy or ball
• Let kids know they are NEVER to enter the street for any reason whatsoever. No exceptions!
• Explain to kids how cars that are parked can suddenly move or back-up and that the driver may not see them.

• Teach kids that they are to never play in, around or behind a car.

• Make your driveway a toy-free zone. Never allow any toys, bikes, chalks or any type of equipment to remain on the driveway.
• Never leave your child alone in the car or around the car, even for a quick second.
• If you experience a small child darting through cars or into your path, immediately stop and speak to the child (as long as you feel safe about doing so) and whoever is supervising, and explain that if you hadn't been watching, the child would have been hurt. Use the moment as a safety lesson to hopefully lessen the likelihood that the child will be more careful and the adult supervising the child will be more attentive.

PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM THE SWINE FLU

Concern about SWINE FLU (H1N1 virus) continues to grow in day care centers, school districts, and communities across the country and around the world. Swine flu cases have been reported in all countries of Asia, so it's no surprise that children and families can become anxious about the infection. Young children may become extremely worried and fearful about the swine flu. They may worry about whether they will become sick or even die. Parents need to teach kids about being safe and healthy without creating undue panic or fear.

Start by talking with your children about how to prevent the spread of infections or illnesses, so that CAREFUL HAND-WASHING and overall hygiene becomes a way of life. You should certainly discuss swine flu and how it is the same and different from the regular flu, and be sure to dispel any myths (such as misunderstandings about swine flu being contracted by touching a pig), but the focus should be kept on preventing the spread of any illness.

Parent are advice to use this tips to protect their children from swine flu while easing anxiety and helping them avoid the bad germ in general
• Get all family members a SEASONAL FLU SHOT and a swine flu shot as soon as they become available. Yes, this means that two vaccines will be needed; the good news is that originally it was predicted that two doses of the swine flu vaccine would be needed, but now one dose has been determined to offer full protection. Yes, your kids may whine, but a fear of tears or the temporary drama caused from getting a flu shot is worth it compared with getting either type of flu.
• Remain calm and reassuring. Kids will pick up on, and then react to, your own fears or concerns. Be careful how you communicate -- both verbally and nonverbally -- when discussing the swine flu or any health concerns.
• Make yourself available. Your kids may want and need extra attention from you and may want to ask questions to help allay any concerns and questions. Give them your full attention, and don't brush off or joke about any of their questions. If their fears are not eased, kids may begin to fixate on the illness and believe it is worse than it actually is.
• Educate yourself about the swine flu. Before talking with your kids, make sure you truly know the facts yourself. Know the symptoms of swine flu and how it spreads. These include fever, sore throat and cough, e.t.c. At the same time, tell your children that just because they have one or more of these symptoms, it doesn't mean they have the swine flu. It might just mean that they had a cold or other type of common infection.

• Review basic hygiene practices. Unless you are with your child every single second of the day (and who is?), your kids need to know BASIC HYGIENE. Teach them at a very young age about how to wash their hands properly, to cover their mouth with a tissue when they sneeze or cough (or to sneeze into the crook of their arm and not their hands), and not to share food or drinks with anyone. This is a good as time to discuss the no-no practice of "double dipping" snacks as well.
• Be honest and accurate. Kids are hearing about the swine flu through the news and even from notes sent home from child care centers and schools. It is a topic that regularly comes up in conversations when parents or teachers talk, not unlike other ailments like strep throat and other communicable diseases.

• Make sure your child understands any new health and safety rules or practices. New preventative practices to avoid getting the swine flu or other communicable diseases may be implemented at your child's daycare, school or after school programs (such as no shaking hands or sharing supplies). Once you find out about any changes, review the practices with your child so she knows what to expect. Also explain that these changes will keep more kids healthier so she knows why it is important.

• Monitor news watching. Since the number of confirmed swine flu cases regularly dominate news coverage, your child may become anxious or begin to imagine the outbreak is worse than it really is. That's not to say that you can't keep your child informed; however, monitor the sources of and frequency of such reports.

• Maintain a normal routine unless it is not considered safe. Children need exercise and a regular schedule. Don't keep your child from doing normal activities or from participating in field trips or events, unless there is a justified reason for doing so. If you do make a decision about not letting your child participate in something because you feel it is not the healthy choice, be sure to explain your concerns and try and plan something fun instead. It is important too that your child doesn't think that all the other kids who attend the activity will get sick or get the swine flu.

• Keep your child home if he is sick. If he is running a fever or is otherwise sick, even if it's not the swine flu, KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL. Before returning to regular activities, wait until there's been no sign of fever or vomiting for at least 24 hours. It's hard to juggle childcare with a sick child, but avoid the temptation to give an ill child over-the-counter medication that masks symptoms so you can send her to school or daycare. That is known as “DROP AND RUN” parenting, and is one of the greatest causes of spreading contagious illnesses. You wouldn't want someone else to do that with their child and infect your kids; please extend the same courtesy.



TOGETHER WE SHALL MAKE EVERY CHILD LIVE A HEALTHY LIFE

AGE 2 YEARS AND BELOW

RECOGNIZING SOUND
SENSORIAL
MUSIC AND MOVEMENT
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

AGE 3 YEARS

PRACTICAL LIFE SENSORIAL
SCIENCE
LANGUAGE
SIMPLE COUNTING
MUSIC AND MOVEMENT
RECITE MUQADDAM / BASIC ARABIC

AGE 4 YEARS

MANDRIN
RECITE MUQADDAM
EARLY COUNTING
EARLY ALPHABETS
EARLY LANGUAGES
EARLY ARABIC
SCIENCE
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
MUSIC AND MOVEMENT

KINDERGARTEN 5 AND 6 YEARS

MANDRIN
ENGLISH
MATHEMATICS
ARABIC
JAWI
PENDIDIKAN ISLAM
SCIENCE
BAHASA MELAYU
HAFALAN SURAH & DOA
TRIPS
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
PRACTICAL LIFE

MONTESSORI SCHOOL

MANDRIN
MATHEMATICS
ENGLISH
BAHASA MELAYU
SCIENCE
CULTURAL

RECITE MUQADDAM
HAFALAN SURAH & DOA
HAFALAN SURAH YASSIN
MUSIC
SWIMMING

TRADITIONAL DANCE

CHOIR
PRACTICAL LIFE
SENSORIAL

Parents and Teachers Together

Parent involvement in schools is a very important part of a successful school program. Matrix Islamic Educational Center welcomes the involvement and interest of all parents in the education of their children. You can become involved by.
 Providing materials for hand-on activities ( examples: dress up cloths, wood for workbench, cooking ingredients, recycled materials such as shoe boxes and margarine tubs –check with your child’s teacher to see what he/she needs)

 Serving as a resource person; assisting with classroom projects, field trips, or making materials

 Always check your child school bag for notes and newsletters from the teachers

 Make it a point of duty to always attend the Parents teachers meeting or conference

 Check first with the school (teachers and principal) about any differences you notice about your child

 Always attend special program organize by the school, such as, family day, graduation ceremony, end of year party e.t.c



For more information on this, please refer to the Principal

Together we shall bring out the best in every child.