Help! I Need Child Care!
By TMoM Team Member Shannon Burghart
I have an extreme passion for quality early care and learning, which is why I was so excited to learn about Shepherd’s Way Day School in Colfax. If you’re looking for quality care and learning for your young child, I recommend you take a tour of Shepherd’s Way 5 Star quality programs that are developmentally appropriate and sensitive to children’s social, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs.
Shepherd’s Way has programs for infants, toddlers, two’s and a school readiness program for preschoolers. They have a before/after school program and a summer camp program for students age 5 through 12. There are so many things that make this program special, first of which is their true knowledge and belief in the importance of the early years of life as exemplified in their motto “Giving Our Best When it Means the Most”. They know how much your kids mean to you, and understand that during a child’s first few years their body and brain is developing faster than it will for the rest of their lifetime. They take this awesome responsibility seriously and rise to meet the challenge with excellence.
Another uniquely beautiful aspect of Shepherd’s Way Day School is that it’s tucked away in a quiet serene location of River’s Landing. Although it may be a little harder to find the first time you go, it’s worth the effort to give your child a calm, safe, developmentally appropriate atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of city street noises. The classrooms and outdoor space are all designed from the ground up with the needs of each age group at the forefront. In addition, there are security cameras that not only help insure the safety of your children but also allow parents to view the events of the day from the work place, via the Internet.
An added bonus to their location is the proximity to the Retirement Village. Knowledgeable staff incorporates intergenerational interactions into the children’s daily program. Children visit the Retirement Village for music and story time with the seniors. They also have fun special events such as trick or treating, Christmas caroling, and Easter egg hunts. Research has shown that intergenerational programs enhance social skills, improve academics and help increase relationship stability for young children. What a gift to give your child!
The staff at Shepherd’s Way is well educated and continues to attend trainings and stay current on new research in the field. For instance, they know that the research says continuity of care is important for children. Therefore, the children at Shepherd’s Way begin PreK when they are 3 and remain in the program for two years to ensure the maximum benefits.
If you need care for your child or are thinking about looking for a new place for your child, I encourage you to take a tour of Shepherd’s Way. Their low staff to child ratios, highly trained staff, respectful relationships with families and great knowledge of early childhood education will provide your child with a great start in life and give you the security of knowing you’ve made a wonderful decision for your family.
Sponsored by Shepherd’s Way Day School
