Queen Anne

Kids Co. at John Hay

Nikki Bautista
Program Manager

Nikki has been with Kids Co. at John Hay since September of 2001, serving her first three years as the site’s Assistant Director before her promotion to Program Director in 2004. Her entrée into the world of childcare began in college as a volunteer tutor for school-age kids. It was through this activity that Nikki discovered how important the connections that developed with the kids and their families were to her—connections that went far beyond academics. This insight motivated her to pursue a career in professional childcare where her support of kids could be more encompassing. Now that she is at Kids Co., Nikki sees her work as the work of helping kids foster positive self-identities, strong values, and social competencies that will support them in school and in life. It is the bigger picture of quality childcare that Nikki sees, a picture that emphasizes the development of the whole child. Nikki holds a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from the University of Washington. Less

Overview

Ages served: 4 to 12 year olds
Pre-K Early Learning Program
Before-School Program
After-School Program
Summer Day Camp

Kids Co. at John Hay sits at the top of Queen Anne Hill in a dedicated space in John Hay Elementary that is located in a family-oriented neighborhood. The center offers a multi-textured environment, and a knowledgeable, forward-thinking professional staff committed to best practices in childcare. Four programs are offered at Kids Co. at John Hay: Pre-K Early Learning, Before-School Care, After-School Care, and Summer Day Camp.

The Kids Co. at John Hay Center is accredited by the National AfterSchool Association.

Pre-K Early Learning Program

Transition and discovery are hallmarks of a positive Pre-K experience. An effective Pre-K curriculum gives children the inviting, playful structure they need to develop the social and learning skills required for a successful transition into elementary school. It also provides them with a safe environment in which to develop curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving as life skills that promote self-confidence and high self-esteem.

Kids Co. at John Hay Early Learning Program for children ages 4-5 offers a supportive, preparatory experience that takes into account individual strengths, needs, and stages of development. Through an artful interweaving of individual time and group gatherings of various sizes, Kids Co. teachers design daily activity plans that emphasize learning through direct experience and play. Examples of the Kids Co. Pre-K curriculum include:

learning centers that promote imaginative play, e.g., the playhouse and block activity areas;
skill-building in reading, writing, and language;
math and science activities that link to the world at large;
art that encourages self-creativity and expression;
self-directed free play that supports choice;
captivating sensory experiences to foster curiosity and inquiry; and
fine and gross motor skills development through individual and group play;
library day, where children are given the opportunity to check out books from the John Hay library; and
a weekly buddy program, where preschool students are invited to engage in activities with John Hay students.

The program is built upon the Creative Curriculum, a philosophy of teaching that emphasizes learning through play that encourages experimentation and expression. This approach focuses on the development and learning needs of children as individuals and uses everyday activities as the stage upon which discovery and learning occurs.

Kids Co. at John Hay’s Pre-K Early Learning teachers are key players in assessing and preparing a child’s readiness for kindergarten. Two critical tools guide this process: a yearend kindergarten readiness checklist, the same assessment tool used by John Hay Elementary, and the Creative Curriculum Assessment which is conducted at the beginning and mid-point of the year. Supporting this assessment process are the developmental benchmarks established by the State of Washington Department of Education. Together, these tools serve as the guideline for preparing children for kindergarten.

Our aim is to give children and families the solid foundation needed for the school years ahead.

Sample Kids Co. Early Learning Curriculum

Before-School Program

The Kids Co. at John Hay morning program offers parents a safe and friendly place to drop off their children before heading to work and kids an affirming and playful community in which to make the transition from home to school. Offered to children ages 5 to 12, the before-school program is a stable and welcoming foundation that gives families a positive start to their day.

Our professional childcare staff is skilled at creating a variety of activities and experiences that support kids during the morning hours. From a family-style breakfast to individual and group play, Kids Co.’s before-school activities are designed to get children thinking and moving for the school day ahead.

The morning program emphasizes free-choice and gives kids options. Kids are given time to choose activities that meet their personal interests (e.g., computer programs, reading, playing in the house area or the block area, making arts and crafts, and/or interacting with their friends) and time to participate in group activities facilitated by Kids Co. staff, including playing in the gym. On days that offer clear skies, kids also have the chance to head outside for a bit of supervised play.

The Kids Co. before-school program aims to help families start the day off on the right foot by providing quality care for children that kids love and parents trust.

After-School Program

Kids Co. at John Hay’s after-school programming is designed to meet the particular needs kids have during the post-school hours. Young bodies are refueled with nourishing snacks; given time for self-directed, free-play; and invited to participate in fun teacher-led group enrichment activities. The Kids Co. at John Hay after-school program is segmented into two groups:

Kindergarten to 3rd grade, and
4th graders and 5th graders, known as FLIERS (“Fun, Leadership, Independence, Enrichment, Responsibility, and Success”)

After-School Program (Kindergarten to 3rd Grade)

Our after-school program for Kindergarten to 3rd graders is a thoughtful weaving of experiences that give children opportunities to burn off energy with experiences that help them wind down. We work to create a spacious and enriching after-school environment that supports children however they are feeling on any given day, one that encourages them to build lasting friendships, discover interests and talents, and explore the world at large.

Our childcare professionals are caring adults adept at listening to and attending to the emotional, intellectual, physical, and social needs of kids. They are an affirming, compassionate presence and guides in helping children develop the skills needed to negotiate personal needs in relationship with others.

Homework Club is offered as an optional activity Monday through Thursday to help kids begin homework assignments within a small group setting under the watchful and supportive guidance of Kids Co. staff. Homework Club accommodates families who desire more free time during their evenings. It also supports children in becoming academically and socially successful by helping them develop active habits of learning.

The Kids Co. after-school program supports and enriches the life of the entire family by giving children quality care that parents trust and kids enjoy.

Kids Co. Sample After-School Curriculum

After-School Program FLIERS (4th and 5th Grade)

Housed in the spacious school cafeteria adjacent to the main Kids Co. program space, FLIERS is an age-specific program that promotes “fun, leadership, independence, enrichment, responsibility and success” within children during the fruitful years of 4th and 5th grade.

The curriculum emphasizes activities and practices that boost independence and responsibility, and uses activities that flow from the kids’ ideas and interests. Explorations in teamwork through group process in brainstorming, decision-making, and play is a key component of this program. Trust-building through developmentally-appropriate responsibility is also a hallmark. Our goal is to create a fun and nurturing after-school community for kids that support their healthy growth—academically, socially, and physically.

The FLIERS program also aims to create a safe environment for kids. National studies have found that the single most problematic time of day for children is between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. It is the time of day when kids are most likely to get hurt, to get into trouble, and to establish life-long patterns, such as excessive television watching, that can lead to chronic health-related problems and low self-esteem. Kids Co. parents have the assurance that their children are safe and in an environment that is engaging them in positive ways.

A more focused version of Homework Time is part of the curriculum offered Monday through Thursday. All FLIERS students participate in the 45 minutes of Homework Time, where Kids Co. teachers are able to help them get started on their homework for the day.

FLIERS is a program that helps kids develop the life-skills and learning habits associated with a life-long positive sense of self.

Sample FLIERS After-school curriculum

Summer Day Camp

The Kids Co. Summer Day Camp is a voyage in imagination, discovery, and simple down-home play that kids are sure to remember for years to come. Offered five days a week, the program is designed to give kids a broad-spectrum summer camp experience that balances structured activity time with time for unstructured free-play.

Kids can participate from a range of two days a week to all five, depending upon family needs and schedules.

The Summer Day Camp schedule offers a relaxed pace, one that allows kids to amble playfully through their days without being rushed. Each week is inventively and individually themed with activities that are related. Examples of Summer Day Camp week themes include:

Jump into Summer (Super cool bouncy house, Storytelling in Tee-Pee)
Party all the Time (Exploring the ways we celebrate, including 4th of July)
Wide World of Games (Sports from around the world & the Seattle Storm)
Get Your Groove On (Movin’ and groovin’ and the Experience Music Project)
Invention Convention (Conceiving and creating new inventions for having fun)
Our Own Backyard (Exploring the wildlife and eco-systems of our community)
Super Soakin’ (Water fun in all varieties)
What’s Cookin’ (Culinary adventure with a local flavor)
Reality TV Week (Bringing reality TV to life Kids Co. style)
X Marks the Spot (Pirates, treasure hunting, and solving a good mystery)
Our Favorite Things (The last hurrah to bring 11 weeks of fun to a close)

Sample Summer Day Camp Curriculum