Business & Tech
New Kids Club Gives Parents Affordable Options
Kids and Co. offers preschool and kindergarten enrichment programs for parents who want to extend their child's learning day. The company's grand-opening extravaganza begins Sept. 21.
Finding an affordable, flexible extended pre-school program in the Buffalo Grove area became a challenge for Staci Turofsky, mom of 4-year-old Tess.
"Because I work only part-time, I wasn't looking for a costly program," said Turofsky. "There's a real need in this community for a convenient, affordable childcare option."
Turofsky was excited when Kids and Co. opened in March at 1425 Busch Parkway in Buffalo Grove.
"It's a lifesaver, a godsend for us," she said. "The extended day program, that's what drew me in. They're not only getting a recreational outlet but instructional enrichment as well, a bonus for me."
Kids and Co. general manager, Kim Woycke, said without full-day public school options, the preschool and kindergarten day is too short and parents are looking for a program to round out the day.
"Our kindergarten enrichment program gives the kids something else that's learning, but also is still really fun," said Woycke.
Woycke said Kids and Co. focuses on an imagination and play approach to learning. "We're constantly working to be creative in our programming," said Woycke. "You'll get a lot of puppets and a lot of songs."
Jonna Benjamin, who was looking for something to keep her 5-year-old son busy two mornings a week, said Kids and Co. is like no other program in the area.
"This enrichment program looked different," said Benjamin. "It's fresh, fun and exciting. They're really creative there."
Kid and Co. offers programs for children ages 1 to 9. Parents can choose from mom-and-tot classes, preschool and kindergarten enrichment, after-school sessions for first-, second- and third-graders, as well as drop off programs up to three hours for moms on the go. Staff are DCFS certified and experienced in recreation, the fine arts and education.
Step into the 1950s style ice cream shop with a child-sized counter and jukebox and you'll find Cristina DeFazio, one of the kindergarten enrichment teachers, wearing a chef hat and talking in a French accent.
"We're working on creating our own restaurant," DeFazio explained. "The children are creating the menus on their own, pricing all the food themselves. I keep it as hands-on as possible."
The center has planned eight of these themed projects throughout the school year.
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"Just because you're in school, doesn't mean you have to sit at a desk and fill out a worksheet," said Woycke. "You can play. You can be creative, color and draw and act and perform. Those are the kinds of lessons the kids will learn from here."
Benjamin said her son is learning many new things at Kids and Co. that are not taught in his traditional kindergarten classroom.
"He's learning about the food pyramid," said Benjamin. "So, it's academic but different than school, and he's excited about it."
Benjamin also likes the flexibility of the facility. Parents can choose which days and times work best for them.
Turofsky said she drops off her daughter one day a week to extend her preschool day. "I can almost work a full day at my job," said Turofsky, who thinks a day care facility might be more stringent and expensive.
Kids and Co. will host a grand-opening extravaganza from Sept. 21-25 with many activities to sample the programs offered at the facility.
"We want our family to grow," said Woycke, "Not only do we have outstanding teachers who are engaged and involved, your kids will always leave with a smile."
For more information about Kids and Co. and the grand opening events, visit www.theclubforkids.net.