Imagine Nation Learning Center

Now that every one knows we are making the transition to day care let me give you some information about the one we choose. I think day care can be a great thing or a disastrous thing. If you pick the wrong one your child learns how to bite and fight. If you choose the correct one then your child grows, learns and thrives. I feel like we have really gotten it right with this one!

They have only been open at this location for 9 months but they have another day care center in Mansfield. The director is an amazing woman and her grandson is in our kids class. It helps a little knowing the director is constantly in their room. The grounds are all monitored by video cameras and the front door is code locked. Every person has their own code so they can monitor who goes in and out. You sign the kids in and out and communicate messages through the front door system. No one can pick up your children who is not on your list. Each person that is on your list must have a copy of their license on file before ever leaving the premises with your child. The front door is always monitored even though the door can only be accessed through a code. We definitely feel confident in the security of the establishment.

The teachers do not have any turn over rate at all thus far. She said all the teachers are the same ones that started there except one woman that moved. The teachers are all updated on lifesaving information such as CPR weekly at staff meetings. The teachers are put through many classes and training for child care and curriculum. They are all FBI background checked through two companies and finger printed for safety. The kids teachers are named Anna and Corina.

The curriculum used is a combination of Learning Games and The Creative Curriculum for Toddlers and Twos. They not only teach the kids numbers, colors, letters, shapes, etc but also things like manners and sharing. They have a password protected portfolio online that you can track your child's performance and progress. Dallas and I are extremely excited about this part of day care! The curriculum and learning is one of my biggest concerns. I don't know what to teach my children or what they should be capable of at their age. Working full time I don't have the time to research the internet and find this information. The teachers at Imagine Nation have done that research for us and I feel confident that they will keep our kids right on track.

They use positive reinforcement and redirection for discipline. The kids don't really have to be disciplined very often because they all know the routine. The structure of the classroom doesn't really allow much time for discord amongst themselves. The kids are too busy to be destructive or mean to each other. Sounds good to me!

The illness rules are the same as any other state regulated day care center. If a child has a fever of 100.4 they have to be sent home until they are fever free for 24 hours. They can only give your child medicine if a written doctor's note is provided. I always worried about this part of day care. What if I end up with my kid home sick more than them actually attending the center. The director assured me that she doesn't send home kids that aren't sick. If their nose is running and its clear then they are fine. If they have a temperature and its teething then they are fine. She said if she sent every kid home that had a slight runny nose she wouldn't have any kids there. They also post illness warnings on the "Community Center" which is the big bulletin board in the front entry. If more than 4 or 5 kids go home with the same symptoms then she post a warning to other parents. She said the kids might get sick for the first month or so but then they would build up immunities to the little stuff.

The kids are served breakfast from 7 to 8am every morning. I have decided to continue to feed them breakfast at home until later when they are older. They get a morning snack, lunch and and an evening snack at day care. I now only have to feed them two meals a day. Their menu varies from week to week and the director is very open to suggestions. Anything that she can buy in bulk that is nutritious and won't spoil she is happy to add to the menu. She said she welcomes parents suggestions. I can bring food to replace a menu item I do not approve of or know that my children won't eat. I don't plan on bringing any food. I want them to learn to eat what is in front of them or don't eat at all. They also provide daily reports that include what they ate, drank, diaper changes and nap times. I like having daily reports so I can keep up with everything.

The center doesn't charge a registration fee anymore. They don't charge any activity fees or any other fees. We pay weekly and that is it. The kids get to participate in the Tumble bus once a month. The Tumble Bus is ran by an individual family that gutted out an old bus and lined it with gym mats. They hung monkey bars and such from the ceiling. They drive the bus to the school and each class gets to go nuts in it for a certain amount of time. They also get to participate in the Stretch and Grow program. Once a month a group comes in with different activities for the kids such as parachutes. The director said the kids really enjoy this group. They also have holiday events such as a big Easter egg hunt coming up soon. The one thing they offer that really blew me away is the once a month Parents Night Out. One night a month parents don't have to pick their kids up until later so they can go have dinner or something together. That is free as well! Can't wait for that day!

The two year olds room schedule guarantees no time for boredom. They base it on the average attention span for a child of two which is short. Their day starts at around 8am with small and individual groups. Every 15 to 30 minutes the kids are doing something different. They have circle time, art and craft time twice a day, music, motor skills training, and they go outside twice a day. I can't imagine them fitting anything else into these toddlers busy day. The director said that my twins running wild is probably just them not being stimulated enough. She guaranteed me they would be coming home tired from now on. They definitely keep them busy!

It is definitely going to take a little time to adjust to our new routine and schedule but we are so excited for our future at Imagine Nation Learning Center! This Monday, March 16th was our first day. I will post updates on how our first week is going asap!