Childcare/Pre-School – Rockland NY Mom

Need an Extra Pair of helping hands?

Posted on June 13, 2019 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Childcare/Pre-School, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Rockland county parents – Are you seeking a fresh new child care routine? Want to give your kids a fun and exciting experience – without the pressure to find that balance? Check out our blog post here to find out how hosting an au pair provides you with an extra set of helping hands when you need them the most!

Already hosting an au pair with another agency? Switch to Au Pair in America and save $500!

Contact local area community counselor of 30 years, Kaija Caldera at 845-634-7103 or kcaldera@aupairinameria.com or visit our website www.aupairinamerica.com for more information!

Storytime with George- Kiddie Academy

Posted on August 8, 2017 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Childcare/Pre-School, Events, Reviews, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are our own.

We really truly ADORE Kiddie Academy of Northvale. For anyone looking for childcare providers- they are one NOT TO MISS. The facilities are top notch, the staff caring and inviting, and the curriculum engaging and appropriate for development. Not only do they provide childcare services but they often have great little events.

The most recent event that they had was a Storytime Live with Curious George. I had the opportunity to attend the event with (E) who is a huge George fan. We had attended this event last year as well, and I was so pleased to see that despite last years successful event, they built upon what they had done and improved upon it. This was SO MUCH FUN!!!

We were greeted by Kiddie Academies super friendly staff who treat us just like family. We were informed that throughout the facility were different rooms with activities to complete.

We spent some time wandering and finding all the activities to complete. There was a room for crafts (George coloring pages, and make your own monkey pieces).

Another room had refreshments (all George themed- so so cute). These were all kid friendly and included healthy options :o)

There was a room with entertainment, which included balloon twisting, cotton candy, and a magic show.

They also had open for attendees their playground which is a great area outback.

George made two appearances to hear a story with the crowd, and walked around in between and afterwards, stopping to pose for photos with anyone who wanted them.

The event was 2 hours which was just the perfect amount of time to get everything done. At its conclusion she was given a goody bag full of fun George themed items to enjoy at home. (E) was never bored and had a great time.

Kiddie Academy of Northvale-Tappan never disappoints. They have appropriate and engaging events that mirror the care that they provide to their attendees. They still have spots available for their August camps as well as enrollment this year if you have questions you can check their website https://kiddieacademy.com/academies/northvale-tappan/ or call 201-767-1120 with questions or to schedule a visit. As always, we appreciate your letting them know you heard of them here <3.

Introducing- Kiddie Academy Northvale- Review

Posted on July 30, 2016 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Childcare/Pre-School, Out and about..., Reviews, Things to Do! .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own. Permission was granted for the use of these photos.

As you may have seen last week Kiddie Academy Northvale joined our Daycare/Preschool directory. We wanted to know more about this new school so little (E) and I headed right over to check it out. Little (E) and I were given a tour and (E) got to spend the morning with the current campers.

Right off the bat I was impressed with their security measures. You can’t get in without being welcomed by an adult. Something that is so very necessary in this day and age. Kiddie Academy is a top notch facility with large VERY CLEAN rooms that include child appropriate bathrooms, an indoor play area for inclimate weather (too hot OR too cold) and an impressive outdoor play area (that I had no idea even existed).

Indoor Play Area

Part of the outdoor play area.

Kiddie Academy takes children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. It is considered an “educational daycare” as it follows curriculum for their students that covers all of the main educational areas (literacy, math, science, art, etc). As a teacher myself I am aware of all of the high risk testing these children are approaching and it is becoming more and more important that children are in an educational environment from a young age. DESPITE the educational function, the children are still playing, they still get to be children. There are lots of play centers, and much of the teaching that occurs is embedded in play, so the kids aren’t even aware that they are learning.

A snapshot of the curriculum books.

Kiddie Academy is well aware of the different abilities and levels of children in their age groups that they have a curriculum that they follow for EACH student individually- its completely differentiated to each learners needs. In fact, if a child does not enjoy a particular subject or is not interested, they will often bring that skill or learning to an area where the child IS comfortable to help them through it.

On the day that we attended, the campers were learning how to make their own Pizza Dough. This is a fabulous hands on activity that the kids really enjoyed. The importance of following directions was discussed as well as proper cooking hygiene within the group. Each ingredient was names as well as the measurements needed. Then a student was able to help measure and poor each of the ingredients. Once all the parts were added they had to mix them and each child had a turn to knead the dough with their clean hand. As they touched it they described it. The kids were then cleaned up and got ready to go outside after learning that the dough needed time to rise. So many learning standards were hit with this one activity- I was impressed.

Handwashing 101

Measuring and adding to the mix!

Tactile- Sensory activity with the dough.

It was a very hot day so the kids were having some wet play outside in their beautiful play area. As the class waited for everyone to be ready to go, a teacher led them in some music and movement songs on the rug.

(E) did not get to participate in wet play as she is asthmatic and had just had an episode. As per doctors orders she was not supposed to run around too much outdoors. The staff of Kiddie academy took it in stride, assigning someone to play with her first outside for a few minutes in the shaded area with no running and then taking her inside to use play dough.

A student having fun in the “wet play”.

(E) hangs out in the play area- lots to do and see even if you aren’t allowed to run that day.

When we were heading out the class was coming back in and changing to complete their pizzas and have their lunch. (E) had a great time and was asking for when we would come back. Everyone we met that day was told about Kiddie Academy.

Kiddie Academy has many opportunities for parents to take advantage of. It runs school programs throughout the year and “camps” all summer long. These camps change their theme weekly and special demonstrations or activities are planned within that theme.

In addition to their school, and camps Kiddie Academy also has programs on weekends that are free to community members. This coming Sunday the are having a special “Storytime Live” event with Curious George!

Kiddie Academy is a great new option for parents when choosing childcare. This place really has it all. Children are happy, learning, having fun and safe in a state of the art facility. For more information on their programs you can visit their website : http://educationaldaycare.kiddieacademy.com/academies/northvale Email: northvale@kiddieacademy.net or call: (201) 767-1120.

Introducing the New Early Childhood Center

Posted on March 11, 2015 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Childcare/Pre-School, Reviews, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own. This article is meant to be informative and make people aware of the programs offered at the JCC Early Childhood Center. It is as always up the parent to do their research and choose the appropriate facility for their needs.

I had the extreme pleasure of going to the JCC Rockland in West Nyack earlier this month to meet Miriam Pedler the director of the new Deborah Koenig Early Childhood Center.

Its a big responsibility to be asked to check out a school or childcare and I was admittedly nervous. I was immediately put at ease. I decided to approach the situation as if I myself was looking for a place for my own children. How better to do that? I asked you all what you look for in an early childhood center.

Health and Safety- As parents in the modern world this is a huge worry even though it used to be the “safe” place that we sent them. Miraim has of course taken this into consideration. The entrance to the Early Childhood Center is locked and you cannot enter without being buzzed in. As far as cleanliness was concerned, when I took my tour it was extremely clean. Furthermore, as I am obsessed with good habits of cleanliness I am happy to report that while I was there, I observed a teacher helping a young man blow his nose and then wash his hands (she asked him what he needed to do next and he told her). Curriculum– Miriam is insistent that people know her program is not babysitting (she’s right). There is great evidence of care by the teachers, I got to poke my head into the infant room where a teacher was rocking a baby girl like she was her own, but also evidence of curriculum being followed and educational goals being met. I saw story time, arts and crafts (literacy themed), and work displayed with more of the same. Your Needs– Miriam is so in tune with parents and interested in creating a caring environment that is easy for parents, that she created a special “parking area” for your child carriers and strollers. Your stroller is parked under your baby carrier for ease of entrance and exit. Oh and the way they hang, means that your carrier isn’t touching the floor. Communication– The staff sends home daily notes for their infants as well as regular text messages and pictures. They have plans to switch over to an “app” where parents will be able to tap into real time information about their children. There is also a newsletter that is sent home, and teachers give daily feedback as they see parents at drop off and pick up. Long story short, I was impressed at what I saw. I am confident that they would make the short list of schools I was looking into if I was currently searching. It seems I am not the only one. As it is still fairly new, there has been enough interest that they are working on building more rooms to accommodate the demand, because Miriam is adamant that the numbers in the room stay small and personal.

For more information about the Deborah Koenig Early Childhood Center at the JCC Rockland please contact Miriam Pedler at miriamp@jccrockland.org or call her at 845-362-4400.