Next Year

Above are 3 pictures from our awesome Halloween party at HPC. They have absolutely nothing to do with this post, but I just thought you all might like to see them. Madeline dressed as Elmo, of course, and played with her favorite toy, the playhouse!

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We are inching closer by the day to my return to work. This caused a lot of anxiety for me, not because I don't love my job, but rather that I had no idea where Madeline would be going. I just couldn't picture her in a day care. This is the girl who had stranger danger and separation anxiety early and often. Who hates it when I leave a room. Who won't let anyone else hold her (since about 3 months!) How could she possibly be happy without me...?

All my fears were immediately kicked to the curb when I discovered Jewish Day Nursery (JDN). Although not much to look at from the outside, I was blown away by what the inside had to offer. I wanted to share with you why I chose to pick JDN for Madeline and why I am 100% confident she will be so happy there.

• The school is completely child-centered. They have the same teachers everyday and never hire subs, they use their in-building floating teachers that the child already know.
• They have bathrooms in the classrooms so that as children are being potty trained, they don't have to walk to the hall all day.
• Their playground is separated into pre-school and toddler. The toys are scaled for the size of the children and they even have the world's smallest sledding hill, a water park, and a bike path for the kids to use. In the event of a warm, rainy day, there is a large space with a covered roof so they can play games outside.
• The rooms are set up with many nooks and cranys so that the kids have a sense of calm and comfort. The school strives to help children feel comfortable.
• They don't rush mom's departure.
• They have a naturalist that comes and plants a garden with the kids and teaches them how to take care of it and pick the veggies (and then they eat them!).
• Pre-school kids learn Spanish!
• They do music and movement every day.
• They nap at her nap time. The kids get the same cot and sleep space everyday, and although it isn't in a different space, it feels private.
• The teachers eat with their students as a class.
• They provide breakfast and snacks, which will cut down on the time our morning routine takes.
• They are located VERY close to our house, and on the way to both Alex and my work, and between my mom's house and her work.
• Their muscle room isn't overwhelming.
• The director is amazing.
• They teach kids to internalize decisions and correct issues through talking, not stickers or rewards.

I couldn't be more happy with our decision!!!