Nutrition is Key!

Nutrition has been called the single greatest environmental influence on babies in the womb and during infancy, and it remains essential throughout the first years of life. At Evergreen we are committed to the health and wellness of our children. We serve food that is fresh, high-quality, wholesome, minimally processed, and promotes a sustainable future. Healthy eating is important for everyone, but it’s especially important for young children. Our breakfast, lunch and snack menu meet and exceed current nutrition regulations and guidelines for young children. Some of the features of our menus include: 

• More fruits and vegetables are served per day

• Our menu includes a variety of fruits and vegetables 

• The majority of all grains served are 100% whole grain

• We avoid serving foods with trans-fat and products containing partially hydrogenated oils. 

• Food items containing artificial food coloring and added sugar content are limited. 

• At least one vegetarian entrée is served per week. 

Childhood is an impressionable time in life when many habits are formed that shape adulthood, including those that deal with nutrition. If you teach your little one to eat and enjoy fruits, vegetables and whole grains early on, it will resonate throughout their life and lead to better health. 

Here some ideas that can help you introduce fruits and vegetables at home to your little ones: 

1.    Talk it up earlier. Don’t wait for dinnertime to introduce a veggie to your children. On your way home talk about the importance of finding healthy options to include in our meals. Explain how trying new vegetables can help you find your favorite ones and share how you are planning to cook them for dinner. 

2.    Give them one bite. Think how they will feel after eating all their veggies and fruits. Starting with a small portion is the best way to give them goals that they can achieve.  

3.    Make it cute. From the plate to the recipe help them enjoy the experience. 

4.    Encourage your child with your example. Make sure that you have veggies and fruits on your plate. They are watching. 

5.    Dip it. Let your child pick between at least two different kinds of dips. Personalizing the flavor is something that can help. 

6.    Reward your child’s effort. Having a chart can help you and your child see the improvements. It is important to reward their effort. You can reward them once a week with a sticker or a dessert. Just make sure it is something that your child enjoys. 

Benefits of Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education prepares your child for life! 

We all want to give our children the best start in life- which is why it’s worthwhile to explore the many benefits of an early childhood education. Choosing the right daycare is not an easy decision. The thought of leaving your baby with someone else all day, every working day, us a daunting one- and a major family decision. 

What should I look for when choosing a daycare? 

1.    Make a list of your family priorities and values. You are looking for a community to help you educate your child. It is important that it reflects the values that are important for you and your family.

2.    Location is very important! Will you be able to get to the center in time in case of an emergency or for pick up time? 

3.    Type of education and Philosophy. While many early childhood programs claim to be child-centered, Evergreen focuses on the needs of each individual child, tailoring the approach to his or her development stage. 

4.    Structured and Socialization. Our classrooms feature mixed-age groups. The older children learn empathy and leadership skills, while the younger children have a sense of security and ever-present role models. As children play together, they learn the building blocks of socialization, including cooperation and compromise. 

5.    The environment. Our school environment gives children the skills they need to be successful in real life, and also create a seamless home to school transition, so our children can feel loved, safe and welcomed. 

6.    Communication. There’s plenty of evidence that shows positive communication between parents and teachers helps the child in many ways. At Evergreen teachers and parents are in constant communication thru the brightwheel app. During the day the parents will receive notifications, photos and videos of the monthly calendar, daily activities, meals, incidents, and more. 

7.    Licensing and Registration. Evergreen is a Registered Day Care Center that follows National Quality Standards. Our program meets and exceeds national regulations for: staff ratio, food and nutrition program, staff hours of training, and cleaning protocols. You can find our parents testimonials and reviews. This is valuable for us. 

Choosing the right learning center for your child may not be an easy task. There are many factors to consider. At Evergreen your child will discover respect, collaboration, and the joy of learning. 

At Evergreen our cleaning routine is important…

Proper hygiene is an essential part of our daily operations. With children sharing space keeping our facilities clean and sanitized is a priority. 

We use plant based non toxic cleaning products! 

Choosing plant-based products ensure that our facilities are clean but also safe for our babies and children. Toxic chemicals (like ammonia or chlorine) found in many traditional cleaning products can be toxic to young children. Many ingredients in traditional cleaners are carcinogens and they are the second most common poison exposure for children. 

Everyday steps: 

• We clean surfaces after every activity. Including tables, chairs, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, phones, toilets, faucets, sinks, toys, ect. 

•  We plan daily activities for our children to spend time outdoors and enjoy the fresh air. 

•  We use plant-based pure essential oils in our diffusers during the day. Aromatherapy is a holistic way to promote health and well-being.

•  We teach and practice the correct hands washing procedure with our children after every activity during the day. 

•  Our children use the same utensils for their meals, and the same mat for nap time. 

• Every child learns to clean their area when they finish playing, or doing any activity. 

Effective cleaning is a skill set your children will make use of throughout their lives. Doing chores at home will help your child learn responsibility. 

Not sure your children will enjoy it? There are ways to make chores a little bit, well, less of a chore for everyone. 

• Don’t insist on perfection. No one is perfect. Start by cleaning with your child and modeling the way you expect your child to do it.

•  Don’t delay. Start your day with a delicious healthy breakfast and then clean the house! Your child will respond a lot better if is well rested and starting the day. 

• Praise your child! Don’t wait until your child is done to praise them. Encourage them while praising their progress. 

• Be consistent. Your child will learn better if there is a consistent routine. For example: Every Saturday morning is a cleaning morning. After that we will go to the park and have lunch. The same order will give them a sense of security and satisfaction. 

• Find age- appropriate chores for your child. Your child may be able to do more than you think. “Keep in mind that a child who has mastered a complicated computer game can easily run the dishwasher”. 

Some great ideas for children between 2 and 3 years old: 

• Put the toys in a box inside the closet. 

• Fill the pet’s food dish

• Put clothes in hamper 

• Dust 

• Pile books and magazines 

 Chores for children between 4 and 5 years old:

• Make their bed

• Clear the table 

• Wash the dishes 

• Dry the dishes

• Water the flowers/ plants

• Help make a meal 

• Clean their bedroom 

Remember your family is your team. Make sure they understand what you are expecting from them. Give them the tools they need for a brighter future.