Union Hill Education-Bilingual Daycare

✨ Now Enrolling – Limited Openings in Redmond (Union Hill)
Union Hill Education is a state-licensed boutique bilingual early learning home founded by a former Bellevue School District teacher.
We intentionally keep our group small (4–6 children) to ensure each child receives individualized attention in a calm, structured environment.
• English & Chinese bilingual
• Large outdoor play space
• Consistent caregiver
• Ages 6 months–6 years
Message us to schedule a private tour or let us know if you have any questions!

Emotion of the Week: “Sad”

At Union Hill Daycare, we’re helping our little ones learn to understand and express their emotions 💛.

Over the past few weeks, they’ve practiced listening 👂, paying attention 👀, using self-talk 💬, and asking for what they need.
Now, we’re learning something deeper — empathy 🫶 — how to notice and care about how others feel.



😊 Last Week: “Happy”

We talked about how we can see happiness on someone’s face — smiling lips, bright eyes, and cheerful cheeks.
Kids loved making happy faces in the mirror 😄.
Our classroom was full of giggles and sunshine! ☀️



😢 This Week: “Sad”

This week’s emotion was “Sad.”

We looked at two photos — Alex smiling, and Sara looking down.
Kids quickly noticed:

“Her mouth is down!”
“Her eyes look sad!”

We talked about how sometimes people cry when they feel sad,
and sometimes they just look quiet.
Feeling sad is normal — everyone feels that way sometimes 💙.



🎲 Game Time

In our emotion game, children took turns showing different faces — happy, sad, angry, scared — while their friends guessed which feeling it was.
They discovered that faces could talk too! 👀✨
And when we see someone sad, we can ask gently,
“Are you okay?” 🤗



💬 Story Moment

We read about Sara — she felt sad because her friend was sick and didn’t come to school.
Her teacher talked with her, played together, and soon Sara smiled again 💕.

Children shared their own moments of sadness:
“When my mom goes to work, I feel sad.”
“When my toy broke, I was sad too.”

We reminded them:
All feelings are okay. What matters is that we can recognize them — and talk about them. 🌈

🎥 Can Daycares Install Cameras? What Every Parent Should Know

Many parents ask during daycare tours:
“Do you have cameras in the classrooms? Can I watch my child during the day?”
It’s a very common question — but the answer may surprise you.

🏛 Is It Legal for Daycares in Washington State to Install Cameras?

The short answer is:
✅ Yes, cameras can be installed — but 🚫 they cannot be used to monitor or observe children’s daily activities.

According to the DCYF (Department of Children, Youth, and Families) regulations in Washington State:

Cameras may not be used to observe or monitor children’s daily routines or behaviors.

This means a daycare may have security cameras at entrances, parking areas, or other safety zones for general security purposes,
but it’s not allowed to use them for real-time viewing inside classrooms or play areas.

📋 Why Does This Rule Exist?

The reason behind this policy is to protect children’s privacy and dignity.

Throughout the day, children eat, nap, use the bathroom, and change clothes.
Continuous video monitoring or live viewing could create privacy risks and even lead to misunderstandings.

🧠 How Do Daycares Ensure Safety Without Cameras?

Even without cameras watching children all day, a quality daycare keeps children safe and parents informed through:

Low teacher-to-child ratios, ensuring constant supervision.

Open-door policies, allowing parents to schedule visits anytime.

Clear incident reporting, so parents are promptly informed of any concerns.

Ongoing teacher training, to maintain strong safety and child management practices.

These strategies are far more effective than relying on cameras to ensure children’s safety and well-being.

🌿 Final Thoughts

📍 Installing cameras ≠ Legal child monitoring.
In the U.S., children’s right to privacy is protected by law.

So if you ever see a daycare with cameras in the classrooms, it’s important to ask whether they are aware of DCYF’s guidelines.

True safety doesn’t come from “seeing everything.”
It comes from trust, professionalism, and open communication between educators and families. 💛

📚 Union Hill Daycare & Preschool
We replace cameras with connection,
and use care and responsibility to protect every child’s smile. 🌼

One of the Empathetic Skills 👶 Teaching Children to Recognize ‘Happy’

🌟 Why Teach Children to Identify 'Happy'?

In learning emotional management for preschoolers, the first emotion they need to recognize is 'happy' 😊.

Helping children learn to identify happiness not only aids them in expressing themselves better, but it also gradually develops their emotional management and empathy skills.

🔍 Detailed Analysis of Happy

Take a photo or cartoon image of a 'happy face' and observe it with the child: Eyes: Upturned, curved like a crescent moon. Mouth: Corners of the mouth turned up, displaying a smile. Eyebrows: Relaxed, not furrowed.

👩👦 Parents can guide the child to say: "When we are happy, our eyes smile, and our mouths smile. "When you see this expression, it means the person is happy."

📖 Guiding Stories of Happiness

Tell the child a short story:

Today, the little bear was playing on the slide in the park. When he slid down, his eyes squinted into little crescents and his mouth opened in a big smile. He felt very happy! Because he was doing something he loved.

👩👦 You can ask the child: "What do you see that makes the little bear smile? "What things make you as happy as the little bear?"

🎮 Game 1: Smiling Faces in the Mirror Prepare a mirror and play the game 'Who Can Smile Happier' with your child. Parents make a happy smile first. Let the child imitate and observe the changes in facial features together. Praise the child: 'Wow, your eyes are smiling too!'

🎮 Game 2: Happy Emotion Recognition Prepare pictures of happy expressions. Then ask the child: 'How can you tell he is happy?'

👉 Guide them to answer using clues from 'eyes' and 'mouth corners'.

💡Summary Children can gradually learn to define the expression of "happiness" through looking at pictures and playing games. This not only helps them better understand themselves but also teaches them to recognize the emotions of others, which is a very important step in emotional management courses!

👩🏫 Our emotional management course at Union Hill Daycare is starting with basic emotional cognition and gradually enhancing empathy and expression skills. If you want your child to develop emotional skills and social skills from a young age, feel free to experience our courses!

📰 Union Hill Daycare Announcement

🌟 Emotional Management Course - Part Two: Empathy 🌟

Dear Parents: The first part of Union Hill Daycare's course Skills for Learning has successfully concluded! 👏👏

In the past courses, the children learned:

1. How to focus on listening and observing

2. How to follow instructions and participate in interactions

3. How to express themselves with language and facial

These little skills are the foundation for the children's future learning and emotional management.

🌱We have seen the children's progress—they are becoming more willing to express themselves, more eager to listen, and are starting to understand their peers.

😊💡 This is just the beginning of the emotional management course. Next, we will move into the second part: Empathy, guiding children to understand others' feelings and establish warmer, more loving interactions.

Let’s look forward to the next step in the children’s growth! 💖

👧👦 Through this series of training, children not only become better at expressing their emotions but also gradually learn to think from others' perspectives and develop their ability to care for others.

📢 Enrollment Reminder：

Union Hill Daycare & Preschool is now open for new semester enrollment!

We offer: Full-time and part-time courses (suitable for children aged 3 months to 6 years)

Professional and experienced teachers Upgraded parenting and learning spaces Caring small class teaching, focusing on the growth of each child

💡 If you want your child to develop comprehensively in language, emotions, social skills, and preschool skills, welcome to join Union Hill Daycare — providing a safe, warm, and loving environment for your child's growth!

📍 Contact us： www.unionhilleducation.com

📧 Email: [email protected]
📘 Facebook: Union Hill Daycare & Preschool

What Defines a “Professional Daycare”?
A Parent’s Perspective vs. An Early Childhood Expert’s Perspective 🔍
In the U.S., daycare is not just babysitting — it is often a child’s first step into early education. A truly professional daycare must meet both the trust needs of parents and the developmental needs of children.

👨‍👩‍👧 Parent Perspective: Safety & Trust Come First
1️⃣ Health & Safety
• Compliance with state regulations (secure entry, fire drills, emergency plans)
• Clear health policies for illness prevention and medication administration
2️⃣ Teacher–Child Ratio & Care
• Recommended ratios: infants 1:3, toddlers 1:5, preschoolers 1:8
• Ensures every child receives individualized care and attention
3️⃣ Parent Communication
• Daily reports (meals, naps, mood, activities)
• Regular parent meetings or developmental progress reports
👉 For parents, true peace of mind comes from transparency and predictability.

🎓 Professional Perspective: Education & Development Are the Core
1️⃣ Curriculum & Milestones
• Based on developmental milestones (cognitive, social, emotional, physical)
• Covers five domains: cognition, language, social-emotional, motor skills, creativity
• Learning through play-based exploration, not rote drilling
2️⃣ Teacher Professionalism
• Early Childhood Education (ECE) degrees or certifications
• Skilled in positive guidance instead of punishment
• Ability to adapt teaching to each child’s temperament and needs
3️⃣ Emotional & Social Growth
• Strong focus on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): teaching kids to identify feelings, express needs, and manage conflict
• Example: A crying toddler isn’t “naughty” — they may lack words. A professional teacher guides them: “If you want water, you can say, ‘I want water.’”

📊 Four Core Indicators of a Professional Daycare
1. Safety & Licensing: Meets state regulations with valid licenses and inspection records
2. Educational Value: Curriculum aligned with child development principles
3. Qualified Team: Teachers with ECE background and ongoing training
4. Family Partnership: Parents are partners in learning, not passive recipients

🌟 Conclusion
A professional daycare is more than a childcare space — it is a child’s first school. It provides a safe, nurturing, and developmentally rich environment that lays the foundation for lifelong learning and social skills.
👩‍👩‍👧 Parents:
When choosing a daycare, what matters most to you — safety, curriculum, or teacher expertise? Share your thoughts below!

“My kid never listens!”
Raise your hand if you’ve said this 🙋‍♀️😂
But here’s the truth: most of the time, it’s not that kids don’t want to listen… it’s that they haven’t learned how to listen effectively yet.
👂 So what does “effective listening” mean?
It’s more than just following orders.
It’s about being able to:
✔️ Pay attention
✔️ Understand what’s being said
✔️ Respond in the right way
💡 Why does this matter?
When kids know how to listen well, they…
✨ Understand teachers and parents better
✨ Fight less (yay for fewer meltdowns 🙌)
✨ Build empathy and respect
✨ Do better in school + with friends
👩‍👧 Simple ways to practice at home:
1️⃣ Be the role model — put your phone down when they’re talking and really listen.
2️⃣ Keep it short & clear — instead of a long speech, try: “Please put the red book on the table.”
3️⃣ Ask for a repeat — “Can you tell me what I just said?”
4️⃣ Pause before correcting — give them a few seconds to process (hard, but worth it 💕).
🎲 Fun game idea:
Play “Simon Says” (or your own version!) — whisper, add silly gestures, or mix it up. It makes listening practice fun and playful.
🌱 Takeaway for us parents:
Good listening is a skill, not a natural habit. With a little patience + practice, our kids will grow into stronger communicators and more confident learners. 💕

Comparison of Childcare Methods Most Concerned by Parents:
Home Daycare, Montessori, Co-op, Which One is More Suitable for Your Baby?
Many parents face the same confusion when choosing childcare for their children: should they choose home-based Daycare? Or opt for the more systematically educational Montessori? Or perhaps the more participatory Co-op? Today, we will comprehensively analyze these three common childcare methods from a professional perspective, integrating insights from both parents and teachers.


1️⃣ Family Daycare
👶 Suitable Age Group: Infants aged 3 months to 3 years
🌟 Advantages (from the teacher's perspective):
• Strong family atmosphere, making children feel safer, especially those with severe separation anxiety.
• Smaller teacher-to-child ratio, allowing teachers to pay more attention to the daily lives and emotional details of the babies.
• High flexibility can be adjusted according to individual differences of the children.
👩‍👩‍👧 Advantages (from the parent's perspective):
• The child feels like they are in 'another home', making the transition natural and intimate.
• Daily communication is more direct, allowing for quick feedback from teachers.
• Generally, more cost-effective than center-based daycare.

2️⃣ Montessori
👶 Suitable age range: Preschool children aged 2.5 to 6 years
🌟 Advantages (from a teacher's perspective):
• Emphasizes the development of independence, allowing children to choose activities on their own.
• Professional teaching materials, focusing on sensory training and logical thinking development.
• A well-ordered environment, enabling children to learn in a 'predictable' atmosphere.
👩‍👩‍👧 Advantages (from a parent's perspective):
• Noticeable improvement in children's self-care skills and concentration.
• The educational philosophy is scientific, aiding children's adaptation to primary school in the future.
• Parents generally hope that their children are not only 'cared for' but also 'stimulated' intellectually and in their abilities.

3️⃣ Co-op (Cooperative Childcare)
👶 Suitable age range: 18 months - 5 years old
🌟 Advantages (from the teacher's perspective):
• Parents are deeply involved, and teachers work closely with families.
• Children receive "dual support": the combination of school and family education is more cohesive.
• Teaching is more flexible, allowing for personalized adjustments based on family needs.
👩‍👩‍👧 Advantages (from the parents' perspective):
• Participation in classes and management allows parents to experience their child's learning process firsthand.
• More communication among parents, creating a strong sense of community.
• Typically, lower costs, but requires an investment of time and energy.

🎯 Summary: How to choose?
• Babies aged 0-3: Home daycare is more suitable, focusing on security and daily care.
• Ages 2.5-6: Montessori is more appropriate, emphasizing independence and the development of learning abilities.
• Ages 18 months to 5 years: If the family is willing to invest time, a co-op is a good choice that balances community and cost.
👩‍🏫 As a teacher, I often remind parents: there is no "perfect" childcare method; the most important thing is to combine the child's age, family needs, and educational philosophy to find the path that best suits their child.

How to make children 'obedient'? The key is 'following instructions'!
Many parents complain: 'I ask my child to pick up toys, but he always goes for one thing after another and takes a long time to start.' In fact, this is not because the child is 'deliberately disobedient', but often because their understanding and ex*****on skills have not been developed yet.
👉 Following instructions (focusing on Instr) is the starting point for a baby's logical understanding, attention, and emotional control. It usually needs to be trained between the ages of 1 and 3 and lays a solid foundation during the preschool stage.

🔹 Why can't children listen?
1. Incomplete understanding: A child may not fully understand the vocabulary or actions in the instructions.
2. Limited memory: Children under 2 years old can mostly only follow "one-step instructions."
3. Emotional interference: The child is immersed in play and has not yet shifted their attention.

🔹 Phased Training Method
1.Single-step Instructions (1-2 years):
"Give the ball to mommy" "Clap your hands"
✅ Suitable for younger babies, establishing the initial connection of "hearing - action".
2.Two-step Instructions (2-3 years):
"Take the shoes and put them at the door"
"Put the book on the bookshelf, then turn off the light"
3.Three-step Instructions (3 years+):
"Go to the kitchen, get a spoon, put it on the table, then sit down"
✅ At this stage, the child's working memory and comprehension gradually improve.

🔹 Training Methods for Family Scenes
Gamified Exercises:
"Simon Says": Parents give commands, and children only follow them after hearing "Simon says."
Adventure Commands:
For example, "Go to the sofa, touch the pillow, and then run to the door and clap your hands."
Integration into Daily Life:
Before meals: "Go wash your hands and then sit in the chair."
When going out: "Put on your coat and take your hat."
Attention Techniques:
Give children enough response time (5-10 seconds).
Use simple and clear language.
Praise for completion, rather than only criticizing what was not done.

🔹 Practice in Daycare
In our daycare, teachers train children's understanding of instructions through collective tasks: • Circle Time: The teacher says, 'Everyone put their little hands on their knees,' and the children follow along, gradually learning to understand group instructions.
Outdoor Activities: For example, 'First line up, then walk to the playground, and find a hula hoop to stand in.'
These group activities not only exercise understanding but also enhance self-control and a sense of cooperation.

🔹 Parents need to distinguish: Is the child really "unable to understand," or are they "deliberately ignoring"?
If the child looks blank and does not move → it is mostly a lack of understanding.
If the child understands but is still "procrastinating" → it may be that their attention has not shifted, and you need to crouch down to establish eye contact with them first.

✨ Summary:
"Listening to instructions" is not innate but requires gradual training. Through small tasks at home and group activities at daycare, children will progress from "not understanding" to "being able to understand and execute," gradually developing good comprehension and ex*****on skills, which are also an important foundation for their future learning in school.