Homeschooler’s Discount at Bounce House Newport News!

Starting this Tuesday, September 16, 2014, the Homeschoolers of Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, Poquoson, Surry, Gloucester, and Williamsburg will enjoy a rate of $4 for Open Jump, at Bounce House Newport News! Simply mention the Homeschooling co-op, Homeschooling affiliation, the MOPs church or Mom’s Play group name that you belong to, to take advantage of this special rate.

They have snacks and drinks, available, for purchase. You can even order pizza from Dino’s and have it delivered to you, at the front desk. Enjoy other parent’s company as your children release some of that energy. We have several long picnic tables to relax with other parents or if you just need to catch up on some lesson plans or your own work, use our fast, free WiFi!

Other weekday specials include:

• Free Coffee – come in before 11am, any weekday, and parent gets a free cup of coffee! Tell a friend and have a Coffee Date!
• Monday – buy a $10 Same Week Pass (good Monday-Friday of the week purchased. NOTE: Not to be combined with any other discount)
• Tuesday – Homeschooler Day (only $4 when you mention your affiliation at the reception desk)
• Wednesday – Buddy Pass – bring a buddy for free!
• Thursday – Military Appreciation Day – use your Military ID to bring up to 4 children and get $2 off per child

Birthday Party Special: (good through October 31, 2014). $139 pays for 20 children and a Private Party Room (you bring the cake!) and you can upgrade it for $15 for 2 pizzas from Dino’s.  Regular parties start at $99 for a weekday party for 8 children up to the Deluxe party costing $285 for 15 kids and pizza and chips. The Birthday Party Special sure is a great deal – contact the Bounce House, below:

Bounce House Newport News 14337 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23602

757-369-8122  or find them on Facebook

Hours:

• Mon – Sat: 10am-8pm
  
• Sun: 12- 6pm

Prices:

• 0-2 $4
• 3-11 $8
• Parents & Caregivers – $FREE

In-School Soccer at The Kensington School!

The fall program for in-school soccer starts THIS Monday, September 15-November 17, 2014, at The Kensington School. Children ages 2.5- 5 will be taking weekly coaching classes for field soccer, from Little Legacy Preschool Program. Depending on how many children sign up for each age level, some age groups may be combined. So far, it appears to be a very popular program.  All classes will be held on the school grounds, during class hours. The cost is $50 per child for a 10-week program, running on Monday mornings.

About Virginia Legacy Soccer Club: Founded in 1976, the Virginia Legacy Soccer Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization proudly serving the communities from Williamsburg to Newport News. The Virginia Legacy is a full-service soccer club that is home to recreational, developmental and travel soccer teams providing opportunities for youth soccer players of all ages and abilities. The staff, coaches and volunteers aim to pioneer, develop, and continuously be on the cutting edge of youth soccer in the state of Virginia. For more information, visit the website  or call 757-253-8572

Let me introduce you to The Kensington School

Have you heard about The Kensington School? I hadn’t either, until a friend moved her toddler there from a less-than-perfect situation. She went on and on about the information shared with her, on a DAILY basis. This connection made her feel better about leaving her non-talking toddler, all day, 5 days a week. I asked her, again, about them, when I realized that they had part-time hours, when I started researching options for part-time care. Those of you with toddlers in preschool or day care know how hard this is to find – and how expensive it can be! Theirs is not overpriced, at all, and there were several options for part-time care.

I took a tour of The Kensington School

• The first thing that I was struck with was that the ratios were outstanding!
• The second thing took me by surprise: there were MANY age groups: 6 weeks to 5 month program, a 5 month to 11 month program, a 12 month to 18  month program, AND a 19 month to 24 month program! How awesome is that?
• They have several enrichment programs that are added to the preschool program: The Byte Size Learning (computer classes for 3-5 year olds), Stretch-and-Grow (fitness classes for preschoolers), The Book Mobile visits (children with a library card can check out a book, each month), Soccer Classes, and Nature Walks (it is tucked into the woods off of John Tyler Highway, away from highways and heavy traffic).
• The final thing that pushed me over the edge was the length of time that the staff members had been there – the preschool has been open since 2010 and the same instructors were still there. Very few children have left. This is home. A second, comfortable and safe home. This breath-of-fresh-air is the comforting place for the most important treasures in my world – my children.

While I was sitting in the office talking to the helpful, friendly management about Parents Night Out, a couple watched their child on a video camera in the classroom (they had first-day jitters and wanted to make sure that their 3-year old was adjusting after the traumatic goodbye! She was just fine and they could leave with a lighter heart). The Management helped them download an application called “Baby Connect” to their iPhone that would help them keep in touch with The Kensington School happenings, all day, and they were on their way.

This child development center gives my boys activities designed to develop pre-reading and pre-writing skills, science discoveries, arts and crafts, stretching and yoga, music and rhythm, circle time and the babies even get baby massage! Obviously, as a child-development center, The Kensington School introduces my boys to traditional early childhood learning skills: counting, numbers, the alphabet, sensory play, seasons, weather, and nursery rhymes, but the preschool years are so terribly, terribly important for healthy development. They’ll help my baby boys become curious or fearful, social or shrinking, have respect for others or be a brat, become a lover of music, a lover of books….and hopefully the desire to be a life-long learner! So, the decision for a preschool isn’t (or shouldn’t be) about money or convenience – it isn’t a babysitting service, it is a substitute for the me and their father — their parents. If it is taking MY place, it needs to have exercise, stimulation, comfort, structure, discipline and positive reinforcement. Well, The Kensington School seems to be that substitute for our family!

Visit the The Kensington School on Facebook or their website, call them at (757) 645-2047 and find them at 3000 Easter Circle, Williamsburg, VA 23188