Bloomingdale Children's House not only meets, but also exceeds my expectations for early childhood development. As a public school teacher, I value education greatly and strive to improve the lives of children. I'm proud of what I do every day, and strive to do my own life's work to the best of my ability. While I believe in the overall quality of our public education system, I sought a more unique experience for my young children that would surpass the experiences that are commonly offered by the standard daycare facilities. I wanted a place where my children would be treasured, where they weren't just a number, where it felt more like home. I wanted something more. I wanted something extraordinary. At BCH, children are encouraged to be just that, children.
They learn through their hands-on experiences rather than through a cookie-cutter curriculum of worksheets and mindless written exercises. Children interact with other children of varying ages. They play together, learn together, eat together – a family of sorts. They get dirty and interact with the outdoors, exploring and growing, all while learning to respect the natural world around them. Children are taught far more than just academics. They learn practical skills for taking care of the home and for taking care of themselves. They learn to do tasks not just for themselves but for others as well. Bloomingdale Children's House is not your average daycare or preschool. You won't find cheap plastic toys disguised as learning tools, or a goldfish in a bowl labeled "Class Pet".
Your child won't eat prepackaged food that comes off of a delivery truck once a week, or have their every move documented by video cameras. What you will find are rich learning activities, ones using real objects to build the foundations of knowledge that shape a child's way of thinking. You'll see caregivers who hold crying infants to comfort and soothe them. There will be children working, learning, and growing at their own pace. Smiling will be contagious. And when your child tells you that he doesn't want to go home, and that it's because his teacher loves him, it is then that you'll know you've found the extraordinary.
