ITHACA, NY (CortacaToday) — Little Learners, a play-based daycare program for kids aged two to five years old that opened in September, places safety and a nurturing learning environment at the forefront of their mission.
Renee Barone is the teacher and owner of Little Learners and has experience both in public schools and daycare centers that she plans to build on. She started wanting to open her own daycare back in January of this year and is now officially a licensed daycare provider.
The New York State license has regulations that prioritize safety, and being sure to follow these regulations is a priority for Barone.
“Obviously regulations can’t guarantee that somewhere is safe, but we adhere very strongly to them and take them seriously. The kids get to learn and play in a clean environment without hazards. Making sure nothing is broken, the space is organized, and we teach safety to the kids is extremely important,” Barone says.
Play-based learning is another key aspect of Little Learners, as it allows for the students to be able to learn effectively.
“We offer play-based learning because kids typically learn best through play. They have short attention spans, so being able to incorporate playing into the educational curriculum helps to keep them on track and keep them invested.”
Having no waitlist for enrollment, Barone encourages parents to come in with their kids and take a look around. Establishing trust is crucial when choosing childcare, which she is cognizant of, even utilizing an app so that parents can stay updated on how their child is doing throughout the day.
Short-term, she would like to be able to refine the program make sure it’s thorough.
“I want to get it exactly where I want it academically as well as in terms of the space we use. Long-term, expanding to a group daycare or a daycare center would be goal of mine.”
To learn more about Little Learners, visit their website here. Parents are always welcome to call or email using the contact information provided on the website to see if Little Learners would be a good fit for their little one.
