Every parent wants the best future for their child. Significant evidence points to success stemming from early childhood education, positive childhood relationships with peers and teachers, and beneficial routines.

At Collierville Christian Academy, we partner with you in raising your child to be a happy, successful child, teen, and adult! Our curriculum helps children get the head start they need for academic success. Our teachers help foster friendships between children. The daily classroom routine gives children stability to learn and grow.

Here are some top reasons Collierville is one of the best places to attend daycare. 

Accessibility

When you have a tight schedule, you want easy access to childcare. Traffic lights, backroads, school buses, and more, can be the difference between being on time for work or school and suffering the consequences of being late.

There are several daycares in the Collierville area, but Collierville Christian Academy is perhaps the most accessible. Our building is right off I-269 and Poplar Avenue. 

Our location makes your morning commute and evening pick-up easier!

Convenience

No one likes to make unnecessary trips or spend extra driving time to get to multiple stores. Some daycares in the Collierville area don’t offer the same convenience as Collierville Christian Academy. Our location is right next to convenience stores and restaurants such as:

• Aldi
• Kroger
• Target
• Walmart
• Chick-fil-A
• Five Guys
• McAlister’s Deli

Collierville Christian Academy’s location saves you time, gas, and money by being close to other stores and restaurants.

Safety

Every parent wants to know their child is safe. This is especially true when someone else is watching your child. You don’t want to leave your child in an unpredictable part of town! 

Collierville is a very safe town; the crime rate is 40% lower than the national average. Collierville Christian Academy is located next to a neighborhood, so the area is generally quiet and has less traffic. 

You can rest assured that your child’s teachers provide the best care. All Collierville Christian Academy staff members undergo thorough background checks, and we place a high priority on experienced teachers for older age groups. 

We meet the state requirements for child-to-teacher ratios and classroom sizes. This prevents teachers from managing too many children, which improves safety and promotes positive relationships between children and teachers.

Additionally, all our staff members have multiple scheduled breaks during their shifts so they can be refreshed and ready to play, teach, and guide children throughout the day.

If you’re looking at childcare options in the Collierville area, you may be contemplating if it is better to enroll your child in daycare or hire a nanny. 

Let’s examine what each option offers so you can make the best decision for your family.

Cost: Daycare vs. Nanny

The cost of a nanny varies depending on the qualifications and experience of the nanny. The city and state can also impact pricing. According to CARE.com, the average cost of a nanny for one child is $827 per week or about $20.68 per hour. If you have more children, the rate for a nanny would be higher.

Be wary of a nanny who charges under-average prices; this could be a sign of poor childcare! Especially since nannies operate in a private setting with less outside supervision or accountability, you could be putting your child at risk of incurring physical or sexual abuse or facing safety risks such as exposure to smoking, drugs, or negligence. 

In contrast, the average daycare costs in Tennessee are $90-$249 per week. Tennessee also provides financial assistance to qualifying families for childcare. Nannies don’t accept financial assistance. 

Safety: Daycare vs. Nanny

As previously stated, hiring a nanny can be risky, even if you hire from a reputable source or a trusted friend. There are some things you won’t know about the nanny, even after a thorough interview, such as how they cope with anger or frustration, how much time they spend on their phone, or their driving skills and safety. 

Hire a nanny from a reputable source or perform your own thorough interviews and background checks. Your child’s safety depends on your research!

In a daycare setting, there’s significantly less reason to worry about your child’s safety. At Collierville Christian Academy, we only hire qualified teachers who have undergone thorough background checks. Our staff receive several breaks a day, unlike a nanny who may not have any breaks. Our business policies protect children’s privacy and hold staff accountable. 

Socialization: Daycare vs. Nanny

Socialization comes naturally in a daycare setting. Children are with peers all day long, learning foundational social skills that benefit them for the rest of their lives. Children in a daycare setting know how to make friends with new teachers and kids in kindergarten, which helps them focus on their education. 

While children can certainly be socialized with nanny services, this is a little harder to come by. Nannies, operating similarly to parents, must plan social activities for the child–taking them to the library, park, playgroup, or other activities. This can mean extra hurdles to jump through; for instance, you must provide the nanny with a car seat, pay for gas money, and sign your child up for activities.  

At Collierville Christian Academy, your child will gain all the benefits of socialization without adding to your to-do list or finances!

Education: Daycare vs. Nanny

If your child is an infant or toddler, they may not need much formal education at their current age. However, this doesn’t mean infants and toddlers can’t learn valuable concepts, even at a young age. Early childhood education starts in infancy, although it isn’t formal education yet. There are many ways adults help infants and young children understand the world around them through books, music, colors, art, nature walks, and so much more!  

Pre-K and school-aged children need more supervision and guidance to meet standard education requirements. However, educating children doesn’t come naturally to every nanny. Some nannies are better than others at teaching, especially if your child has learning differences or difficulties. 

Additionally, nannies may charge extra for providing educational services. They may have special certifications or experience levels that, while beneficial for your child, make them a more expensive childcare option. 

At Collierville Christian Academy, we put a high priority on quality curriculum so every child is successful and meeting educational milestones. We hire experienced teachers who engage children so they have fun while they are learning. Children at Collierville Christian Academy receive a well-rounded early childhood education so they are ready for kindergarten and beyond!

Younger children are included in our early childhood education, too! From infanthood, we provide educational experiences that engage all five senses, encourage fine and gross motor skills, and most importantly are fun. 

These educational experiences all come at no extra cost to you!

So which is better, daycare or nanny services?

Ultimately, that decision is up to you. There isn’t a superior option because every family situation is different. Some parents prefer the one-on-one attention from a nanny, while this isn’t a priority for other families.  

With affordable prices, better safety and education standards, and abundant social opportunities, Collierville Christian Academy should be at the top of your childcare list. 

If you’re weighing the pros and cons of your childcare options, you’re not alone! There are many quality childcare options in the Collierville area. There are many factors to consider, such as:

• Location
• Cost
• Availability
• Schedule

Let’s take a look at how daycare and home childcare compare.

Location: Daycare vs. Home Childcare

Everyone has different preferences for an ideal location. Some are willing to drive further, while others prefer the closest option possible. Neither is right or wrong–it’s all about what works for your family situation.

Collierville Christian Academy is conveniently located right off I-269 and Poplar Avenue on Collierville Arlington Road. You can’t go wrong with our location!

Cost: Daycare vs. Home Childcare

As private businesses, daycares and home childcares have their own pricing pyramids. In Tennessee, the average cost of childcare is $4,000-$11,000 annually. Typically, infant care is more expensive than school-aged care because infants need more supervision than school-aged children. 

As you inquire into each business, you will find a spectrum of prices. But be wary of childcare that charges under average prices; this could be a red flag that the childcare provided is poor. 

Availability: Daycare vs. Home Childcare

It can be hard to find a daycare or home childcare with availability! This is especially true of infant age groups since infant classrooms are capped at 6 children. 

Typically, daycares have more availability than home childcare options. This is because home childcare options can only provide care for 6 children, depending on the ages of the enrolled children. 

In contrast, daycare classrooms have higher ratio allowances. This means you’re more likely to find available childcare in a daycare like Collierville Christian Academy. 

Schedule: Daycare vs. Home Childcare

Daycares can maintain a consistent schedule because they employ multiple staff members. Collierville Christian Academy is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. This is extremely beneficial to families because it means reliable childcare.

In contrast, home childcare is a little less dependable. What happens if the provider is too ill to provide care, has a family emergency, or takes a vacation? You must find outside childcare–sometimes at a last-minute’s notice. While this is not to say home childcare providers are generally reliable, there’s peace of mind knowing that daycares like Collierville Christian Academy will always be available to take your child!

Additionally, home childcare may not have the 12-hour childcare window that Collierville Christian Academy does. While this may not be a problem for some families, our flexible time window allows you to take that early or late shift, run an errand before picking up your child, and not stress if you’re stuck in traffic. 

So which is better, daycare or home childcare? 

Ultimately, that decision is up to you. There isn’t a superior option because every family situation is different. Some parents value the intimacy of home childcare and that children of all ages play together, while this isn’t as important for other parents. 

At daycare, your child has opportunities that home childcare doesn’t provide, such as field trips, quality curriculum taught by teachers, and same-age peer interaction. 

With a convenient location, affordable prices, better availability, and dependable childcare, Collierville Christian Academyshould be at the top of your childcare list.

Choosing a childcare option can be overwhelming. There are many daycare and home childcare options in the Collierville area. But what is the difference between daycare and home childcare?

What Is Daycare?

Daycares are usually larger entities, with classrooms divided by age. For instance, many daycares have classrooms divided into infant (0-12 months), toddler (12-24 months), two’s, three’s, pre-K, kindergarten, and school-aged children. 

Depending on enrollment, classes may be larger or smaller, and school-aged classrooms may have various cutoffs. 

By law and for safety, classrooms are limited to a specified ratio of children to teachers. Younger children (like infants and toddlers) need more assistance than older children; therefore, fewer children are in younger classrooms. 

In Tennessee, daycares have the following child-to-teacher ratios:

• 6 weeks-12 months (3:1)
• Toddlers 13-15 months  (4:1)
• 3 years (7:1)
• 4 years (8:1)
• 5 years (8:1)
• 6-8 years (10:1)
• 9-12 years (12:1) 

Teachers can provide the best childcare with these ratios. However, you can still have too many children per classroom, even when there is an adequate child-to-teacher ratio. For instance, a classroom may be large enough to contain 20 infants and seven teachers, but it’s easy to see how this is overwhelming for children and teachers. 

That’s why, in addition to child-to-teacher ratios, the state of Tennessee caps the maximum classroom size:

• Infants: 6
• Toddlers: 8
• Three’s: 14
• Four’s: 16
• Five’s: 16
• 6-8 years: 20
• 9-12 years: 25 

Additionally, ratios must be appropriate for the youngest child in the room. For instance, an hour before closing, a daycare may only have 10 children of varying ages remaining. If one of those children is an infant, the ratio must remain at 3:1 per the infant ratio requirements, and two teachers must be present. 

What Is Home Childcare?

Not to be confused with hiring a private nanny to stay at your house, home childcare is when a licensed childcare provider watches other children in their own home. 

Some providers care for related children, such as biological children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or step-children, at the same time as other children. This is a common way for stay-at-home parents to make extra income. However, the provider does not have to have children to run the small business out of their home. 

Large-Family Childcare Homes

While one individual may operate a small-family childcare home independently, a large-family childcare home may have more than one staff member. 

Large-family childcare homes can have 6-12 children at one time. The child-to-teacher ratios for this childcare option are:

• 2:1 for under age 12 months
• 2:1 for 13-23 months
• 3:1 for 24-35 months
• 7:1 for 3 years
• 8:1 for 4-5 years
• 10:1 for 6-8 years
• 12:1 for 9-12 years

While there’s a lot to consider when choosing childcare, we believe Collierville Christian Academy is a top option for Collierville childcare. We strive to care for each child individually and help them reach their maximum potential. Contact us today for more information!

When someone else is watching your child, it’s easy to wonder what they have done all day. Are they learning? Are they getting enough physical activity? Are they making friends with peers and teachers? What have they eaten today and is it nutritious? 

Here’s a peek at what your child experiences at Collierville Christian Academy.

Structured Routine 

Structure and routine are vital to a child’s sense of stability. Each classroom in Collierville Christian Academy has its own routine designed for the needs of the children, and this structure helps children feel secure in their environment. When a child feels secure, they are free to explore, grow their skills, and engage in educational pursuits. 

Special Activities

But that doesn’t mean kids desire monotony! Just like adults, children want to try new and exciting things. That’s why our teachers provide a variety of special activities that coincide with our outstanding curriculum. 

Even our infant and toddler classrooms incorporate fun but age-appropriate activities, like foot or finger painting, dance music, puppets, and more!

These activities enrich the curriculum, expand your child’s world, and encourage friendships with peers and teachers.

Physical Activities 

At Collierville Christian Academy, we know how important exercise is for children. Gross motor development is key for a well-rounded life. Exercise can help overweight children resume an ideal weight. Exercise also releases endorphins, which helps them have more resilience and joy. Physical exertion helps them sleep well at night.

We love to include gross motor activities at Collierville Christian Academy! Whenever the weather allows, children play outside on our playground where they can explore nature and challenge their physical capabilities. 

If the weather excludes outdoor playtime, our teachers can adapt the classroom to accommodate physical activity.  Other fun games like Simon Says or Red Light, Green Light are popular favorites that use minimal space but get your child active. 

For infants, engaging in physical activity looks a little different. Our goal for infants is to let them explore their environment using whatever physical capabilities they currently have. Our teachers are always helping the infants progress to the next gross motor milestone.  

Meal Time

Many parents want nutritious meals for their children. At Collierville Christian Academy, we care about the nutritional value of the meals and snacks we serve! 

We offer balanced meals and snacks following current nutritional recommendations. Even if your child doesn’t eat everything on their plate, they are exposed to various nutritious foods. Plus, watching their peers enjoy new foods can encourage them to try something new and grow their palate. 

If your child has any dietary restrictions or allergies, please speak with the director for accommodations. 

Quiet Time

While we provide physical activities, we also know that everyone needs some downtime! Some children naturally lean into individual or quiet play. Other children seem to have non-stop energy, but they need downtime just as much as introverted peers. 

Our classrooms offer a quiet area for reading or resting. In younger classrooms, cots are provided for nap time. Older children may color, draw, read, or craft during quiet time. 

The goal of quiet time is to help regulate the nervous system, teach the value of calming activities, and help children be ready to play together again.  

Free Play

Structured activities and following a curriculum have many benefits, but children also need free play time to use their imaginations. We provide items like costumes, scarves, and props so children can create their own stories during free play. 

Special Events

We love to provide special events, both inside Collierville Christian Academy and on field trips. These vary depending on your child’s age. Speak with the director or your child’s teacher to learn what events are coming up on our calendar!

Child safety should be a top priority for any parent placing their children in the care of other adults. Not only should the childcare workers be background-checked, competent, and caring, but each classroom should be clean and child-proofed. 

How do you know whether your childcare facility is safe for your child? The best way is to ensure the facility is licensed.

What Is a Childcare License?

The Department of Humans Services will license a childcare facility when it meets the basic requirements for:

• Staff accreditation
• Safety
• Sanitization
• Nutrition

A daycare or childcare facility must renew its license every year. Operating a daycare without certification or with a lapsed license is illegal, and the director is subject to penalties. 

Why Is Licensure Important?

Regulations for accreditation, safety, sanitation, and nutrition are vital for your child to be safe and thrive in a childcare facility. 

For instance:

• Staff Accreditation: Improperly trained staff can subject your children to harm. All staff members need regular training on childcare and safety regulations. Well-intentioned but ignorant workers should not be responsible children. 
• Safety: The building must pass a safety inspection and have appropriate medical and safety devices available, like fire extinguishers and first aid equipment. Unanchored furniture, small toys, or unavailable first aid equipment are all potentially harmful to your child. 
• Sanitation: Your child could get sick if the facility is not cleaned throughout the day and thoroughly at the end of the day. Roaches and small rodents can spread diseases across surfaces when they emerge at night. Mold is hidden from sight but causes dangerous symptoms in growing children. Childcare workers who don’t wash their hands after changing a diaper or assisting a child in the bathroom can spread illness and other more serious diseases with this carelessness. 
• Nutrition: If your child receives breakfast, lunch, and a snack at the facility, the daycare must offer optimal foods for growing children. Your child could miss out on vital nutrients if a facility doesn’t offer a balanced diet or could gain unnecessary weight if the menu has too many high-fat or sugary foods.

Collier Christian Academy Goes the Extra Mile for Safety

At Collier Christian Academy, you don’t have to wonder if your child is in a safe environment. We not only have a Tennessee state license, but we go above and beyond state requirements to ensure your child’s safety. 

We ensure that no unauthorized persons come into the building. Our small class sizes minimize the spread of illnesses and allow children to receive quality care and attention from teachers. Finally, we pride ourselves on our nutritious menu that meets health standards and tastes good, too!