When I started looking for a day care in Columbus I ventured online, hunting for the perfect day care for my little man - who at the time was just 16 months old. He had been in the care of a nanny, someone who I trusted more than anyone. So I started looking… and it was horrible.

The day cares and pre-schools I found were dirty. The staff barely greeted me with a smile, let alone the children in their care. Desperate for the right day care I put an ad up on Craigslist and that’s when Sarah Delay found me, the director of Little Dreamers, Big Believers Day Care. Her e-mail was very encouraging, promising that this day care was different because she had created it to be different, to be exceptional. So I went to meet her and see Little Dreamers.

When I walked in my eyes welled up with tears. The facility, not even a facility - more like a home away from home - was clean, the child care providers were all full of life and smiles. And then Sarah told me about their 70% organic food menu. They also provide diapers for the children and above all, fill their days with mentally and physically stimulating activities.

Thank you so much to all of the staff at Little Dreamers, Big Believers. My son is now two and a half and he is as happy as can be - and so am I!

P.S. I snapped this picture the other day when I picked Benjamin up. I think it sums everything up!

Before our hot summer days disappear, get outside and have some fun with a sprinkler. The kids at Little Dreamers have been enjoying a sprinkler down the street outside of the OhioHealth Medical Offices here in Victorian Village. And it inspired us to pass on a fantastic sprinkler game.

Age: 3 and up
Number of children needed to play: at least 2, but this is also a great group game
What you need: a sprinkler and one cup for each player

How to play:
1. All the children stand around the sprinkler.
2. When the water passes into his or her side, each player tries to be the first to completely fill his or her cup.
3. Players must keep both feet planted. Anyone who takes a step has to dump the contents of their cup over their own head.

Thanks to the Wooden Porch blog and Family Fun Magazine for this fantastic game idea!

Happy 4th of July! Check out the Story of America’s Birthday by Patricia A. Pingry this week. Here are some other great 4th of July reads for your little ones.

Have fantastic Red, White & Boom … here’s the link for more information on Columbus’ 4th of July Celebration.

Pork tenderloin, creamy rice, green beans

Tuesday

Spagheti, garlic bread, broccoli

Wednesday

Turkey and cheese sandwiches, strawberries, Carrots

Thursday

Lasanga, bread and butter, peas

Friday

Chicken alfredo, mixed vegetables and fruit salad

Did you know 70% of the ingredients used for meals at Little Dreamers Big Believers day care is organic? It’s just another reason why Little Dreamers is the choice for so many parents looking for child care in Columbus, the Short North, Victorian Village and Grandview.

Tacos, black beans, peaches, and green peppers

Tuesday

Gnocchi, green beans, apple slices

Wednesday

Children will eat lunch at the Zoo (children remaining at school will have veggie burgers, blackberries and coleslaw)

Thursday

Turkey Kielbasa, Cous Cous, and peas

Friday

Grilled Cheese, oranges, homemade trail mix

Did you know 70% of the ingredients used for meals at Little Dreamers Big Believers day care is organic? It’s just another reason why Little Dreamers is the choice for so many parents looking for child care in Columbus, the Short North, Victorian Village and Grandview.

We have so many exciting events this May including a Mother’s Day Tea, Race for the Cure and the Spring Concert!

May 4 - May 10: Safety Week

[Letter - B; Number - 7]

Monday, May 5

9:30 - 10:00 am Toddler Spanish

10:00 - 10:30 am Preschool Spanish

Tuesday, May 6

1:00 - 1:30 pm Fitness with James (preschoolers)

Thursday May 8

10:00 am Yoga

Friday May 9

8:30 - 10:00 am Mother’s Day Tea (18months - 5 years)

Come whenever and enjoy breakfast with your little one and the children will have a special gift for you!

May 11 - 17: Firefighters/Police Week

[Letter - P; Number - 8]

Monday May 12

10:00 am Yoga

Tuesday May 13

1:00 - 1:30 pm Fitness with James (preschoolers)

Wednesday May 14

9:30 am Columbus Public Library comes for story time!

Each room will have individual story time.

Thursday May 14

9:30 - 10:00 am Toddler Spanish

10:00 - 10:30 am Preschool Spanish

Afternoon - a special visit from a Registered Nurse to teach us about germs and washing our hands.

6:30 pm SPRING CONCERT (18 months - 5 years)

Saturday May 17

Race for the Cure! Please register with our team online, we’ll be meeting at Little Dreamers at 8:00 am. Hope to see you!

May 18 - 24: Dr. Seuss Week

[Letter - A; Number 9]

Monday May 19

9:30 - 10:00 am Toddler Spanish

10:00 - 10:30 am Preschool Spanish

Tuesday May 20

1:00 - 1:30 pm Fitness with James (preschool)

Wednesday May 21

Music & Movement Class

9:30 - 10:00 am (Babies)

10:00 - 10:30 am (12-18 months)

10:30-11:00 am (Toddlers)

11:00-11:30 am (Preschoolers)

Thursday May 22

10:00 am Yoga

May 25 - 31: Five Senses Week

[Letter - D; Number - 10]

Monday May 26

10:00 am Yoga

Tuesday May 27

1:00 - 1:30 pm Fitness with James (preschoolers)

Thursday May 22

Music & Movement Class

9:30 - 10:00 am (Babies)

10:00 - 10:30 am (12-18 months)

10:30-11:00 am (Toddlers)

11:00-11:30 am (Preschoolers)

Thursday May 29

9:30 - 10:00 am Toddler Spanish

10:00 - 10:30 am Preschool Spanish

If you have any questions about any of the upcoming events please feel free to ask and as always, parents are welcome to pop in for any of the weekly activities.

At Little Dreamers, Big Believers our mission is to touch the future, one child at a time. We believe we offer the highest quality of child care available in Columbus, Ohio. It’s because we help your child grow mentally, physically and emotionally. Please contact us to enroll your child at 614-294-2922.

Thanks to our parents for supporting our the Little Dreamers bake sale. The kids played shop and were passionate advocates for their cause … raising the funds for this -

The Super Splash Water Park! Or as we like to call it, the smile factory. And that means one smile factory is coming soon to a day care near you!

photo credit: Radu Adam

How to Choose the Perfect Daycare Center

1. Your Gut

Nothing is more telling than your gut instinct. You’ll feel it the minute you step into a daycare you’re considering. How does the staff great you? Are they warm, friendly and professional?

2. Open Door Policy

Little Dreamers, Big Believers has an open door policy meaning you can walk in anytime - even if you’re a parent who’s child is not yet enrolled. Many daycares in Columbus require appointments for prospective parents. This should be a red flag.

3. Staff:Child Ratio

Ask the daycare director about their staff:child ratios. The state requires the following ratios:

1:5 or 2:12 Infants (0-12 months)1:6 or 2:12 Infants (12-18 months)

1:7 Toddlers (18-30 months)

1:8 Toddlers (30-36 months)

1:12 Pre-schoolers (3-4 years)

1:14 Pre-schoolers (4 years until eligible for Kindergarten)

1:18 School-agers (eligible for school)

At Little Dreamers, Big Believers we strive to meet the following staff:child ratios:

1:3 in the Infant Room

1:5 in the Toddler Room

1:8 for Pre-schoolers

And while ratios for toddlers and pre-schoolers may be doubled for 1 1/2 hours at naptime there will always be enough staff in the building to meet the regular required staff/child ratio in case of emergency.

4. Discipline Practices

Ask about the daycare’s discipline practices. Do they mirror yours? Do they have a clear and forthright answer? At Little Dreamers, Big Believers we use positive discipine. This technique teaches children self-discipline through careful guidance. Positive re-enforcement is used to correct any errant behavior and instead of time outs we spend quiet one-on-one time with the child. For more on our discipline police, just ask!

5. Daily Activities

Does the day care or pre-school have a consistent routine in place that gives your child both the physical and mental development he or she craves? At Little Dreamers, Big Believers we have a variety of activities from field trips, Spanish lessons, to theme days, show and tell or even Yoga classes!

6. Nutrition

Ask to see a menu from the past two weeks. It will give you a good idea of what meals the daycare serves. Are they home-cooked? Nutritious? Ask us about our menu and you’ll find that 70% of our food is organic. We also accomodate any allergies or special requests for your child.

7. The Space

Where will your child be spending most of his or her day? Is the room bright, airy and clean? Are there books along with a variety of developmental toys? Are the spaces organized but also free flowing? Come visit us to see why Little Dreamers, Big Believers is so exceptional or look at our photos and tour.

We also encourge you to use this checklist from the Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral program.

Good luck on your search! We know this process isn’t an easy one. And if you ever have any questions about Little Dreamers, Big Believers day care and pre-school please call 614-294-2922.