News
Sandy Hook Day Care Center Celebrates 30 Years
By Muriel J. Smith
SANDY HOOK - The Sandy Hook Child Care Center is celebrating three decades of caring for infants and toddlers, but they're doing it in ultra-modern fashion... they're opening their doors to even more children and offering care that takes advantage of the nature lessons and unique atmosphere that is Sandy Hook.
"You just can't be in a setting like this without teaching the children all about the environment," an enthusiastic mom, Jen Smiga explains. "It's not only the fun and education the children get naturally, but look at what such education will do for our future in protecting the environment and preserving a healthy world when children grow up with this kind of appreciation for nature."
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of a day care that started when a couple of moms wanted to have a safe and secure setting for their children while they themselves were on the job, the day care center is holding two Open Houses, one this Monday, Feb. 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. and a second on Saturday, Feb. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon. The celebration also takes into account Valentine's Day, and parents are invited to see crafts and hear a story time featuring "Be My Valentine Charlie Brown." Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase hand made jewelry and baked goods with all the proceeds going towards school projects.
The Care Center is unique in many ways, one of which is it is managed by the parents themselves. All parents with children in the program... limited to 15 youngsters between the ages of six weeks and pre-school... are on the Board of Directors and not only vote for the officers, but also enjoy communal rule on everything from class structures and activities to fund raising to keep costs of the center down. All parents take part in fund raising, and all donate their special talents toward the Center, whether it be plumbing, painting, or providing something special for a treat.
The Center is located in an historic site, the oldest and smallest of the "Officer's Row" homes facing Sandy Hook Bay. Built in the 1860s, it precedes many of the larger, gracious homes that were home to officers and their families after the turn of the 20th century. Once officer's quarters, the building later became the specimen holding lab for the Marine labs. But when Claire Steiml, who still works at the labs as the librarian, and Susan Fromm, wanted a place where their children could attend while their moms worked, it was converted into the care center. Thirty years later, their foresight and energy has produced a vibrant, exciting, and unique center. The fact the building was at once time a home helps it maintain the home-like setting for the care center, with children from infancy to pre-school interacting with each other at various times during the day.
Jen works part time at Clean Ocean Action, and she loves the setting in the Care Center for her two-year-old son. Although she only works a few days a week, she occasionally brings her son on other days when necessary. "That's another beauty of this center," she continues, "I can just call and they offer drop-in care as well."
It's the education, appreciation and respect for the environment that parents seem to cherish the most. At playtime in nice weather, the youngsters get to walk along the beach, inspect horseshoe crabs and other sea life up close, and learn about tides and salt water. They get their first taste of history being on a former Army installation, near the oldest continuously operated lighthouse in the nation, and in an historic building. They plant seeds in a garden, which this spring, will be converted from a floral garden to a floral and vegetable garden. What's more, the Center is partnering with a health food store in Little Silver, to have creative, delicious, and well-balanced lunches. "Health Fair is even putting up these lunches in compostable lunchboxes," Jen says with excitement, "so the children can learn about composting and how it helps their own garden." The garden will also have milkweed, to encourage butterflies, and each of the seeds sown give the staff the opportunity to introduce children to textures, colors, smells and tastes in a garden setting. Jen laughed that the addition of vegetables to the garden will also give the youngsters the opportunity to see how the Sandy Hook wildlife interacts with humanity when it comes to harvesting from the garden.
Because the Center is situated in the Gateway National Recreation Area, it can also take advantage of all the programs and activities the park rangers offer to all visitors.
The Care Center is licensed by the state and meets all the high standards New Jersey mandates from its child care centers. June Neal is the executive director who heads the staff, which also includes a full time teacher and three part time teachers' aides. Currently, eight families have children enrolled in the program, and as the center expands, the part time teachers will expand their own schedules, "because the children are already familiar with them," and others will be added to supplement the staff, as needed.
Tuition at the Center is $50 for infants, and $45 for children over 19 months of age for a full day, which runs from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Half day schedules at $35 are also offered, and run from 8 a.m. to lunchtime.
"We're all happy to be part of a care center for our children that is so much like a home setting," Jen continues, "and we're inviting others to come out and see what is offered." She pointed out that the four or five miles from the Highlands Sea Bright Bridge to the Center is not as remote as some would think. "Besides" she adds, "it's a beautiful drive out between river and ocean, a time to relax and start the day, a perfect way to end the day, and a great opportunity to share quiet time with your children."
