Kidville U Fun!
Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Kidville Open House in Bethesda. I was so delighted that the famed New York franchise moved its DC location from Rockville Pike to the way more convenient downtown Bethesda. Until last week, I just didn’t have a chance to get in there and check it out. I went with the intent of exploring class options for my 3-year-old now that we are staring down the doldrum cold days of winter but was delighted to learn about the Kidville University Preschool program they also offer. My youngest is already enrolled in preschool but if she were just 2, I would be all over the Kidville U program. Beyond a tour of the lovely and very clean, kid-friendly facility, I had a chance to speak with Anjali Varma, the franchise owner of Bethesda’s Kidville. Avid readers of WM know that I delight in meeting up with local moms who have changed the path of their business careers and found a new direction after having kids. Anjali falls into that category. After business school and many years working for a large company, she decided her direction was different once she had her two sons, now 4 and 1.5, and took a leap of faith to be the franchise owner of Kidville. What appeals to me about the Kidville U program for the younger ones is the gradual separation element – so once you feel your child is ready – you can leave – and then you can go enjoy yourself in downtown Bethesda and relish in some peace and quiet! Beyond the Kidville U, as many of you probably know, there is a host of amazing classes offered at Kidville for babies from 0-6 months all the way up to 6-years-old (I am excited to try out the Rockin Railroad class with my 3-year-old next month), along with some open gym opportunities for members and a conveniently located place to get your kids haircut…in the lobby of Kidville, in some totally awesome car chairs. Anjali also offers parenting seminars including CPR classes, sleep training and coming soon, a home organization class, for parents. You can find more information out about Kidville and upcoming programs on their blog.
If you are interested in exploring a pre-school alternative program, I’d urge you to look into the one at Kidville, here is some more information about it, the new semester begins January 9:
Kidville University, Kidville’s pre-school alternative program, is a gradual separation program for ages 2.0-3.3 years. The class meets two hours per day, twice a week. (M/W or T/Th 9:30-11:30 am)
Children currently 22 months – 3.1 years old will be eligible for the KVU program for Winter ’12 and registration is in full swing!
KVU® The Kidville University (KVU) program guides toddlers through social skills within a playful setting as they transition to school.The class offers a curriculum that stimulates their natural curiosity as they explore new ideas. Play centers such as blocks, dramatic play, a book corner, sensory and art, small and big-muscle play encourage young children to touch, try, and think creatively.
Activities in this stimulating two-hour class include: group welcome, circle songs and music, storytelling, large and small group activities, art and sensory play, as well as science and math exploration. Each class includes 30 minutes of gym time. Appropriate transitions between activities allow your child to recognize and become familiar with the structure of the day, and to look forward to the next activity.
Focusing on the relationships between physical, social/emotional, language, cognitive, and artistic development, the KVU philosophy and approach teaches children appropriate social skills needed for school and life. A small teacher-child ratio ensures individualized attention and a caring lap for each child as he or she makes the first transitions to separation and builds trusting relationships with his or her teachers.
I was excited until I realized most of their classes are scheduled for weekdays. Great for SAHM, but not so great for parents who need to entertain their children on cold, rainy weekends.