I have a 4-yr old who went through a different center, I feel pretty experienced in the ins/outs of what to expect from a center. When my 1-yr old needed to start, I needed somewhere new. I cast a wide net to friends and family for referrals to other centers - and I looked all over Wallingford, Meriden, and Durham.
The one thing I noticed: most centers claim to be different in some way. They swear their curriculum is best, or their teachers, or something else. They swear to be family-friendly, or have longer hours .. or something else. They all are the same - comparable in many ways. Furthermore, I got tired of reading the same promises on websites, I realized that anyone can say whatever they want online. When I toured the centers, I saw the same approach to daycare and learning. Some places were cleaner/better than others - but the mission was the same. Teach your kids in a safe environment.
Then I was led to Educational Playcare by a friend. The first thing I checked was their website and I immediately knew THIS was different. The videos of the owner (both on the EP site, and the Wallingford location link) had me sold - her sincerity was transparent. The things I saw blew me away, some I didn't realize I had been missing for 4 years with my first child in the other center. Things like:
- iPads in each room; teachers are able to send email communication to parents during nap time. WITH PICTURES.
- There is a chef onsite who prepares ALL food. Non processed food. I had access to the menu to see what is offered. (being able to SEE everything online was huge for me, so I feel connected)
- There are services available such as haircutting services, karate, dance, and more
When I went to visit and met with Allison for a tour, I felt peace .. I knew without a doubt that my 1-year old would be in the best place possible. Things I learned through the tour:
- They have a diaper service. If I enrolled in the first week (which I did), we get free diapers at daycare for a year. FREE DIAPERS. FOR A YEAR!
- There is an arts & enrichment program included in the tuition .. they have a specific A&E instructor, who even for my 1-year old class, will teach music and yoga and more
- The teachers are highly seasoned, I think the shortest tenure was 3 years (don't quote me on that) and they are all educated
- There are GARDENS in their hallways! under skylights!
- The 1-year olds have their own playgroud and go outside every day. Where we were going, they had to share a playground with the older toddlers, and there were woodchips so they could not crawl around .. here the playgrounds are both rubber matting and grass
- they have video cameras in each room.
- although there are 5 centers, the owners are there every week or two and they all have meetings to keep in touch and make sure everything is smooth
We dropped our girl off today. As much as I feel comfortable, I was nervous for HER because it's an unknown place and routine for her. After leaving her in the room .. we went to the lobby and watched the video camera (they have the monitors posted for the parents in the lobby) .. how relieving we could watch her, and see how she was adjusting without us!
I had my first email update before I arrived at work! A pic of my smiling girl waiting for her morning snack. I was so relieved - that email alone makes the tuition worth it.
Speaking of tuition -- the weekly fee is only $50 more per week than where we sent my older child ... yet we get FREE diapers, and FREE food! We send no food, or milk! It's all included and is healthy.
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