UTTER WORDS like “healthy” or “organic” when offering meals to young kids and groans often follow.
Food can be an especially hard fight with picky preschoolers. Instead of battling bad eating habits, when a local daycare center reinvented kid’s favorite foods with nutritious alternatives, the kids (and their parents) couldn’t have been happier.
“We eat as clean and healthy as we can – it’s a way of life. Being active outside as much as we can is also very important,” said Ashley Tyler, owner of Jumper Bean Daycare in Ballston Spa.
After caring for children ages 8 months to 5-years-old in a full-day, year-round homey environment for five years, she is now opening Jumper Bean Preschool.
“We have a big yard, the ability to have raised garden beds, a playset and a great location on Geyser Road,” said Tyler.
Positive Reinforcement
Outdoors, the children are encouraged to run through an obstacle course, climb the rock wall or enjoy free-play.
“We don’t ever cut outside time – it’s always a necessity unless the weather is extreme,” said Tyler.
The Jumper Bean Preschool building was originally a home, then served as an office and has now been converted into a full-service preschool with a kitchen, fenced-in yard (to restrict access to the busy road) and a security system that includes indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras. There is also a fire detection system and fire and shelter-in-place drills will be practiced monthly.
Going beyond the facility itself, safety is reinforced with a 7:1 student to staff ratio that allows for guided social interactions. If behavior dictates intervention, Jumper Bean staff work with children to correct and prevent future issues.
Fueling fun with safe food choices is a hallmark of Jumper Bean’s hands-on, healthy, active and organic educational philosophy.
Voicing a Choice
Learning how food is grown and empowering children with choices helps the healthy stuff go down smoothly.
“Food is not a reward or a punishment. If they don’t like what we’re serving, they can choose something else. Your child won’t go hungry here,” said Tyler.
Organic peanut butter, meats and cheeses make sandwiches served on whole wheat bread a healthier alternative to standard school fare found elsewhere. Sourcing food from local farms including Battenkill Valley Creamery and Denison Farms ensures it’s fresh and in-season.
Through the Tadpoles app, parents get daily updates from their children’s teacher on what their kids are eating, photos of their activities and other communication to ensure the most beneficial experience for all.
“There’s more out there than just big centers. We abide by the same regulations and standards as the centers with hundreds of kids but our education isn’t institutionalized,” said Tyler.
Jumper Bean Preschool, 441 Geyser Road, will be having a Ribbon Cutting ceremony July 21st at 11a.m. followed by an open house. Another open house is scheduled for August 11th from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. For more information, go to www.jumperbean.com/pre-school.
