If you were to name a few of the most precious things in your life, would at least one of those things be a child? Most assuredly, because you’re researching to find quality childcare for your infant! It may feel like a daunting task to find the best childcare environment for your child. However, as you contemplate the different possibilities, if you follow a few simple guidelines, you’ll feel more confident in the infant childcare you choose.
    
A wonderful way to find quality infant childcare is to ask around and get some recommendations from close friends. Of course the first, and best, recommended environment for an infant would be a quality in-home childcare setting with a very limited enrollment. All in-home childcare facilities should be licensed by the City of Boise.  The licensing office can direct you to in-home childcare in your area.  
    
As you interview and observe these various infant childcare options, be sure to make notations of some important points:

•    What is the overall personality of the attending caregiver?
•    Does the caregiver show patience, kindness and nurturing when handling an infant?
•    Is the environment safe, clean and comfortable for a child?
•    Ask how much quality one-on-one time you can expect them to spend with your child on a daily basis?
•    What is their policy on drop-in visits from a parent? (Note: It should be an open door policy.)

As you go through the process of finding the best childcare for your infant, trust your feeling and follow your heart. Your parental instincts can tell you a lot!!

Don’t forget to put your child’s name on the waiting list for Lakewood Montessori School as soon as possible. This will ensure enrollment of your in our pre-primary (begins at age 2) or Primary (begins at age 3) classrooms. Lakewood Montessori is proud to have Montessori certified lead teachers in each class and quality on-site childcare before and after school hours.

Anita Murnighan
Lakewood Montessori, Boise, Idaho

Parents know the reality of dealing with children who are picky eaters and helping them make healthy choices everyday.  It may be surprising to realize that helping a picky eater is often more about the way you structure eating, than putting the “right” foods on the table. Here are some things that may help:

Children, especially toddlers, need a consistent schedule. Maintain a schedule of three meals and two snacks a day without allowing snacking in between. Children who are allowed food or caloric beverages whenever they want are less likely to be hungry for the meals you want them to eat.

Know that you the parent ultimately have control of what your child eats.  A child cannot eat food that you do not buy.  A child will not starve himself; given the opportunity he will make healthy food choices if they are offered.  You do not need to coerce, bribe, force or reward your child with food to get him to eat.

Serve your child the same meal as the rest of the family and expect your child to sit and eat with your family.  Making special food or exceptions in place of the regular meal takes away your child’s opportunity to learn.  It also hinders him from feeling like part of your family group.   You can always include one or two foods in each meal that you know your child will eat, as long as they are part of a healthy meal.

It may take children 15 tries to accept or like a food. Continue to offer rejected healthy foods.

Juices and sweet drinks should be limited to 4-6 ounces per day.  Milk should be limited if it is causing your child to not eat at meals.

Remember that it is normal for children to go through “food jags” or phases of wanting one or two certain foods all of the time.  In time, it will pass.  Drawing too much attention to it can actually cause children to hang on to these food jags longer.

Strive to make a diet that includes 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily and is rich in whole grains a part of your family’s life.  A child models behavior; he cannot learn to eat healthy unless healthy eating is a part of family life.

Serena Arave
Lakewood Montessori, Boise, Idaho