Featured Providers receive the following benefits:

• Rank above other providers in your area.
• Map of your location.
• The ability to add a customized description of your facility.
• Upload up to 10 photos of your facility.
• The ability to edit information about your facility (email address, website, telephone number etc.)
 
With nearly half a million users searching for childcare on our site each year, the Feature Provider cost of $9.99/month is a tremendous value.

To get started as a featured provider, go to www.MyChildCareGuide.com, find your childcare center and click “claim your profile”!

We are very excited to share these new options for childcare providers but also want you to know that we are continuing to develop more marketing options for our featured providers. Stay tuned…

MyChildCareGuide.com is quickly approaching the one million users per year mark. Our incoming childcare review quantity is growing rapidly and we expect to reach 500 verified reviews per month in the next 2 – 3 months. As much as we would like to take credit for this, passionate parents are really the driving force. The value we place on them is immeasurable. We just wanted to take the opportunity to give thanks for the support and mention how much we are looking forward to very big things in the upcoming months.

I quickly researched where you can find some of the top sunscreens to make shopping for the best sunscreens more convenient for you. As a reminder, check the expiration date of your sunscreen before using and be sure to reapply every 30 minutes. Happy summer 2011 to all!

1. Alba Botanica – Target & Walgreens $8.99
2. Aveeno Baby Natural – Target & Walgreens $8.99
3. Badger – Walgreens $15.99
4. Blue Lizard – Walgreens $ 14.99
5. California Baby – Target $13.49
6. Kiss My Face – Walgreens $10.99
7. Natures Gate – Walgreens $8.99
8. Think Baby & Think Sport – Target $16.99

Also take a look at the following “Best List’s” by EWG.

Best Lip Balms with SPF
http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/best-sunscreens/best-lip-balms-with-spf/

Best Moisturizers with SPF
http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/best-sunscreens/best-moisturizers-with-spf/

Best Makeup with SPF
http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/best-sunscreens/best-makeup-with-spf/

One of the important areas to review when looking for a daycare provider is the playground or outdoor play area. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has an extensive set of guidelines for playground design and setup here: http://cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/325.pdf

The guidelines are quite extensive and are probably a bit of an overload for the average parent to review when visiting daycare centers, so here are 10 general concepts from the guide to think about when reviewing a play area.

1. For the purpose of general security, does the playground have a solid, tall barrier completely surrounding it in a manner that will prevent non-daycare employees and children from accessing the area? If there is a gate leaving the playground, is it locked?

2. Is the playground immediately adjacent to a busy street or other area of concern?

3. Is the playground in direct sun for most of the day, and if so, does it have sufficient natural shading or coverings?

4. Does the playground have a soft surface that will help avoid injuries during a trip or fall?

5. Is the playground setup in a manner that will allow the daycare providers to observe the children at all times?

6. Will the playground be used for various age ranges at the same time, and if so, what age ranges will those be?

7. Does the playground have exposed metal parts such as metal slides that can get hot and burn children when in the sun?

8. Does the playground equipment have exposed screws, nails, or other sharp objects that could be a danger?

9. Does the playground equipment have elevated platforms where kids can play, and if so, are they at a height that could be dangerous in the event of a fall?

10. Does the playground appear to have any strangulation hazards such as loose ropes, etc?

As always, conditions at any daycare provider can change over time, so it’s a good idea to periodically review the playground area to make sure it is being kept in the same condition over time.

The IRS requires that you meet the following requirements to be eligible for this tax credit;

• The care must have been provided so that you (or your spouse) could work or search for employment. (This qualification rules out “stay-at-home moms.”)
• The qualifying dependent must not have provided more than half of their own support.
• The qualifying dependent must have lived with you for more than half of the tax year.
• You (or your spouse) must have earned income from wages, salaries, tips, other taxable employee compensation, or net earnings from self- employment.
• Your filing status cannot be “married filing separately.”You can claim up to $3,000 for one dependent and up to $6,000 for two dependents.

 If you meet the above requirements, complete the IRS form 2441. This form must be attached to your 1040, 1040A or 1040NR.

For more information, go to http://www.irs.com/the-child-and-dependent-care-expenses-tax-credit/#ixzz1FTQ2nHlt

About Emu Oil

In many places in the United States and Australia emus are harvested to create emu oil, which has been used for thousands of years by aboriginal tribes, to help them stay healthy and fit in what most people would consider a very dangerous habitat.

Uses for Emu Oil

People use emu oil to aid in muscle and arthritis problems, moisturizers and as a skin healing agent. Emu oil is used in a wide variety of products including lotions, shampoos and oils. It is pure, natural and hypoallergenic.

It is a natural anti-inflammatory; it helps reduce swelling and redness in cuts, scrapes and burns. It can be used as an anti-microbial which means it kills fungus and bacterial buildups. It helps the skin repair itself and start new skin growth. It absorbs into the skin for maximum penetration. Even through it is oil it does not clog pores which can lead to acne breakouts. It is also know as a carrier oil which means it carries active ingredients deeper into your skin for faster results.

Benefits for Children

A child`s skin absorbs three times faster than an adults, this why a parent has to be very careful what they put on their children. Their skin is also more sensitive, if you put a skin care product on them that you use on yourself it may break them out, causing a rash or even blisters.

Emu oil is great for all skin types, especially sensitive skin; it is also good for all ages because it is natural and gentle. It can be used on the face because there are no harsh essential oils or scents. It can relieve every thing from diaper rash to dry scalp.

Help repair damaged tissue while naturally guarding against swelling and reducing redness. It helps skin cells regenerate faster, which is great for children who are constantly getting bumps, bruises, cuts, scrapes and blisters. So the next time your child gets banged up try emu oil, it is all natural, gentle on even the most sensitive skin and best of all it is safe for all ages.

Written by Seth D. Hoover

Interesting Reads on Emu Oil

Web Md

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/inner-beauty

Amazon Reviews on Emu Oil

http://www.amazon.com/Longview-Farms-Advance-Refined-liquid/product-reviews/B00014D1MY

As parents, we have the opportunity to benefit so much from performance reviews on child care providers.  At www.MyChildCareGuide.com, parents are given the opportunity to review childcare providers based on a 5 tier rating system of  quality of care, curriculumin, atmosphere, cost/value and quality of staff.  Parents are also given the freedom to verbally express their experience with a provider.   Combining performance reviews along with your state inpsection and violation results on childcare provider offers a good background of information which is enabling many parents to make faster and more informed choices when choosing a daycare or preschool provider. 

With child care being a necessity for working parents across the country, many are overwhelmed with the choices of finding a quality daycare or preschool provider and are turning to the internet to search and read reviews on providers. Childcare reviews are a great way for parents to continously communicate about their experiences and grade a provider based on performance.  The information shared by parents creates a valuable  network on licensed childcare across the United States.  

10 steps to finding a quality childcare provider;

1. Identify the type of provider atmosphere you are seeking (Full time, Part time, Daycare, Preschool, After School, Babysitter, Au Pair or Nanny).

2. Visit www.MyChildCareGuide.com to utilize a national search engine to identify all licensed childcare providers in your area by using our zip code, city and state search engine on our homepage.

3. Read provider reviews and ratings conducted by parents who have experience with this provider.

4. Check out a provider`s inspection and violation history through our state childcare licensing links in the “For Parent`s” tab.

5. Begin contacting providers that appeal to you. Use our telephone interview guide with helpful questions to ask.

6. Be sure to set up a time for you and your child to tour and meet the director at a minimum of three of the facilities that you feel could be a good match for you and your child.

7. Use our touring the facility guide and our meet the director guide when you visit the facility. Bring a pen and take notes about the things you like and dislike about the facility.

8. Ask for references!

9. Use our call references guide. Discuss any areas of concern that you may have noticed while touring the facility and meeting with the director.

10. After you choose a provider, continue to monitor your child`s progress by maintaining relationships with the caregivers and director. Check evaluation and inspection reports every 3-6 months and leave a progress review of your provider at www.MyChildCareGuide.com.

Antibiotics are useful in fighting bacterial infections, fungus and some parasites.  However, antibiotics do not fight infections that are caused by viruses such as the flu, a cold, most coughs, bronchitis or sore throats (unless it is strep).  Each time you take an antibiotic you will be running the risk that the bacteria in your body will resist the antibiotic the next time.  Bacteria and germs are essential for the body to develop an immune system to fight off the big infections and illnesses to come.  Over time, parents may find that the antibiotic isn`t working anymore and switch to another one and so on.  Continuing down this path leads to an even bigger problem of multi-resistance or a “superbug” which means that the bug carries several opportunities of resistance which limits the available antibiotics that are effective in killing the bacteria.

Ear infections are the most common use of prescriptions among children in the United States and according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “80% of children whose ear infections are not treated immediately with antibiotics get better on their own”.  (http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/maraomrelease.htm) Unfortunately, many parents today rush their child to the doctor upon suspicion of an ear infection and walk out of the doctor`s office with an antibiotic prescription and enter into the vicious cycle of this repetitive behavior.

Parents today are overusing antibiotic prescriptions due to the push of the pharmaceutical industry and the demands of their careers but ultimately we are risking the health of our children. Dr. Greene offers a brief guide for parents that will help determine when an antibiotic might be useful and when it might be best to allow your body to heal on its own http://www.drgreene.com/21_646.html.

For a recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics on how to treat an ear infection without using antibiotics, click here http://www.aap.org/sections/media/TreatEarInfect.htm.

Interesting Reads:

CBS News Silent Killers; Scary Superbugs

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/09/19/48hours/main522536.shtml

WebMD; Cutting antibiotics for Ear Infections

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ear-infection/news/20060912/cutting-antibiotics-for-ear-infections?page=2

With almost every store using computerized scanners at the checkout counters, EAN (European Article Number) codes are now on almost every product in every store.  The good news is this helps the consumer understand where a product comes from even if the product tag doesn`t indicate.  Here is some helpful information that you can print out and stick in your purse or wallet. 

The first 3 digits of an EAN bar code will tell you what country the bar code was registered in.  In this example, it’s Taiwan. 

000-019 = USA 

030-039 = USA

060-139 = USA

300-379 = France

400-440 = Germany

450- 459 & 490-499 = Japan

471 = Taiwan

480 = Philippines

489 = Hong Kong

500-509 = UK

628 = Saudi Arabia

690-695 = China

740-745 = Central America

885= Thailand

888 = Singapore

899 = Indonesia

955 = Malaysia

Having this information helps parents understand where their child’s clothes or toys are coming from and allowing parents to make more cautious choices when purchasing these items for their child.  If you would like to see the full list of country codes, visit http://www.gs1.org/barcodes/support/prefix_list

Interesting Reads:

Bloomberg.com, Toys `R’ Us Asia Removes China-Made Products Containing Lead

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aAlDU0WQlGXI&refer=asia

MSNBC, Mattel issues new massive China Toy Recall

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20254745/

Health, Safety and Environmental Fact Sheet on Lead Exposure

http://legacy.usw.org/usw/program/adminlinks/docs/HSE-FS_Fact%20Sheet%20on%20Lead.pdf

The recent news of a daycare center fire in Mexico where 44 children died brought so many concerns to my mind.  While reading the article I could only imagine the horror and anger of the families involved. Why would a government funded facility have 8 employees watching over 142 infants/toddlers?   That leaves each employee responsible for the care of approximately 17 infants/toddlers.  The second serious concern I had is the building had a newly installed sprinkler system which did not work due to being improperly installed.  Did anyone ever test the system after they installed it?  The third question is why is there only 1 emergency exit for a building that houses an estimated 150 people on a daily basis?  There was a second door but it was bolted shut and required a key to open.  What kind of emergency exit requires a key to get out? As Mexico faces daycare safety issues, we can certainly learn from this mistake.

In the United States, you can run daycare out of your home and care for children without maintaining a license by the government.  I think the tragedy in Mexico should bring concern to parents who use providers that are not licensed.  Are the non-licensed providers striving to meet all the necessary criteria to keep your child safe? Licensed child care providers are required to meet a large list of requirements and are inspected to ensure they continue to meet these standards on a regular basis.   Each state determines their own standards and it can vary from state to state but all must meet required areas including updated immunization records, health, safety and food standards, sanitation, gas, fire, pest control, emergency procedures and insurance.    If you use a non-licensed provider, you could be subjecting your child to danger in various areas.   www.MyChildCareGuide.com provides “Guides” with quality questions to ask when choosing a daycare or preschool provider for your child.  Our website also provides links to each state`s child licensing division where you can review a provider`s violation and inspection history.  

How did you choose your daycare or preschool provider? 

1.       How did you find them? 

2.       Are they licensed with the state?

3.       Did you research your providers` state violation and inspection records before you enrolled your child?

4.       Are you comfortable with leaving your child with a non-licensed provider? If so, why or why not.