Local Childcare Providers Gear Up For Return To ‘Normal’

Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on June 3, 2021
- 10:45 am

Children are busy working on projects Tuesday at the Ark. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Children in class Tuesday with teacher Leigha Oliver at the Ark. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com

It’s been a rocky year for local childcare providers, but most of them have pulled through and are gearing up for full operation. The Los Alamos Daily Post spoke with several local providers about what services they offer and what makes them special. They also shared advice that they have for parents of children returning to daycare after the pandemic or attending for the first time.

The Ark
715 Diamond Dr., Los Alamos
arkdirector @lafumc.org

The Ark serves children ages six weeks to 12 years old from its location at 715 Diamond Dr. in Los Alamos. The Ark provides all day or part-time care for preschoolers and an after school program for kids aged 5-12.

The Ark has 21 staffers and serves 77 children. Its large size might seem a hurdle, but it’s actually an advantage, Director Tamryn Clancy said. Numbers are rising and some programs are wait-listed. The full capacity of the facility is 120, and The Ark hopes to be able to welcome its full numbers in the fall once the dangers of COVID-19 subsides. Call the Ark at 505.662.4822 for more information.

“We’re one of the bigger centers,” Clancy said. “We have 11 classrooms and are able to have a one to six ration of teachers to students. I’ve worked at The Ark for 13.5 years, first as a teacher, then as the director. I got to know the kids much better in a small group setting.”

The Ark is a mission of the First United Methodist Church. Children say a daily prayer at snack time and beginning in July, children will once again have chapel for 15 minutes per week, usually consisting of story time and songs.

“We respect everyone’s right to believe what they want,” Clancy said.

The Ark will be welcoming parents back in the building June 14. Currently children are dropped off at the entrance. COVID restrictions still apply, Clancy said. Masks are required for everyone aged three or older except during naps or while eating, and continuous sanitation protocols are in place.

“We’re open and honest with our families and we urge them to ask questions and raise any concerns they have with us.” Clancy said. “We’re here to help the little ones and to protect them.”

Bilingual Montessori School, White Rock
115 Longview Dr., White Rock
505.672.1800
bms.general@gmail.com

Bilingual Montessori School serves children aged 6 weeks to 6 years. The school is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“We are a bilingual Montessori school (Spanish and English,” office manager Rebekah Steitz said. “We are a low teacher to student ratio school specialized in the Montessori way of teaching. We have a beautiful school with bilingual teachers who teach lessons in both English and Spanish. Each class gets an additional specialized lesson in Spanish weekly. We have a completely separate infant building where we have all children 6 weeks through 1 year old. Teachers provide daily Montessori lessons and there is also lots of opportunity for free play, practical skills, writing, drawing, arts and crafts and outdoor play in our large playground.”

Covid drastically changed how daycare centers operate, she said. “We had to conform to many new restrictions put in place by CYFD. Masks are required for ages three and up except when eating, drinking or sleeping. The school does daily temperature checks before people enter the building and has certain requirements for spacing, as well as cleaning and disinfecting.”

“Our teachers are fully committed to keeping a clean yet comfortable space for the children,” Steitz said. “At our center you can expect to be treated with kindness and compassion. We really do consider our clients as part of our BMS family!”

Dragonfly Playhouse Home Daycare
103 Beryl St., White Rock
505.412.0809
dragonflyplayhouse@gmail.com

Home daycare provider Lauren Lippiatt offers care for children 4 weeks to 4 years of age.

“My daycare provides a homelike atmosphere for kiddos where they can be themselves and receive more one-on-one attention,” Lippiatt said. “I am so blessed to be a part of this community and I am thrilled I am able to provide childcare to a few families in our area.”

Lippiatt had some advice for parents transitioning from home to daycare.

“As families begin picking a daycare and transitioning out of Covid, remember to pick a place where your kiddo will get kind, loving care,” she said. “Leaving home and being with people other than parents is going to be tough for them after the long year of isolation we all had in 2020. Each child’s needs are different and picking a daycare that will be gentle with each emotion is very important.”

Little Forest Playschool
505.662.5895
3880 Villa St., Los Alamos
tiffany.fuerte@littleforestplayschool.org

Little Forest offers care for children 6 weeks through age 5.

Little Forest is a play based school that focuses on the whole child and not solely on academics, director and teacher Tiffany Fuerte said. “We believe children should have the opportunity to explore, play and learn in the environments that gain their interests.”

Fuerte advises parents to take reentering care at their own pace.

“There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to your security and comfort. You must be comfortable with your child’s place of care,” she said. “Be understanding that each center is following the CYFD guidelines and they often differ from those that public schools follow.”

New Horizons Center
580 Meadow Lane, White Rock
505.672.4189

New Horizons Center is a Christian-based non-profit program for children ages 3-8. It offers year around morning and afternoon preschool as well as after school and summer programing for kids in K-2nd Grade. The Program has been newly updated for both pre-kindergarten and school-age students and has expanded its hours.

“I feel that parents need to familiarize themselves with the range of services and programming available in our community to find the best match for their child and family,” Director Darlene Tanski said. “Children need to feel safe, secure, and excited about their learning and play environment. That environment needs to be rich in literacy and age appropriate learning materials. As early childhood educators we need to continue to be vigilant about COVID health and safety practices required by our NM Department of Health because we know it is working. This younger age group is still an unvaccinated group so it is important that we do all that we can to protect them and our staff.”

This summer and fall also is the perfect time to incorporate as much activity in our outdoor environment as possible, Tanski said.

“Children thrive when they can move, experience freedom within limits and opportunities to develop problem solving language and skills,” she said.

Ponderosa Montessori School
304 Rover Blvd., White Rock
505.672.9211
school@ponderosamontessori.com

Ponderosa Montessori School offers full-time childcare 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for ages 6 weeks-5 years old, Director Bernadette Shanaberger said. The school also has an elementary school program that serves children in kindergarten through 6th grade.

Ponderosa runs an after-school program for public school children to attend from 3:30-5:30 p.m. and on early release days.

What’s new and special at Ponderosa?

“This past year, our elementary building has been fully remodeled,” Shanaberger said. “All of our lead teachers have obtained Montessori certification. Our staff works together as a team. Kids love coming to school every day.”

Covid-19 may be diminishing but it’s not over, Shanaberger reminded parents.

“Parents should feel comfortable asking questions about how the school has and is handling Covid procedures,” she said. “All preschools and schools are required to implement Covid Health and Safety Procedures mandated by the State of New Mexico. Staff is required to be tested for Covid on a monthly basis and most have been vaccinated.”

Quemazon Montessori
4600 Esperanza, Los Alamos
505.662.3000
quemazonmontessori@gmail.com

Quemazon Montessori offers childcare services for children 6 weeks through 6 years of age. The school is open Monday-Friday. The summer schedule is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Quemazon Montessori accepts only full time students for enrollment.

“Quemazon Montessori is a hands-on learning school,” Director Tammy Tucker said. “We believe that children learn by doing with an emphasis on language, math, sensorial, cultural, and practical life learning using specially designed materials and a prepared environment. Many students leave Quemazon as proficient readers ready for grade school. Our dedicated and well-qualified staff is caring and dedicated to your child’s emotional and academic success.”

Tucker advised parents to be prepared for a change to the normal routine. Health screenings are required with daily temperature checks and drop off is outside the classroom.

“It may take a little bit of time to get your child settled into a new routine,” Tucker said. “As a parent you’re making a great decision to send your kids to school. Kids benefit greatly from the social interaction, consistent daily routine and learning environment. Staff is dedicated to keeping your kids safe and healthy by following CDC guidelines and using smart operating strategies to maintain healthy operations.”

Other Daycare Options
Canyoncito Montessori School
2525 Canyon Road, Los Alamos
505.662.2910

Editor’s Note: Daycare providers were taken from a list posted in the Los Alamos Relocation Guide published by Discover Los Alamos at https:/www.discoverlosalamos.com/live. Daycare providers not listed may send information to bjgordon@ladailypost.com and it will be inserted into the online version of this article.

Children are busy working on projects Tuesday at the Ark. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com