Kiddie Academy makes it easy for parents to stay engaged

While children are getting a jump on their education at Kiddie Academy, their parents can pop in any time to check on their progress — either in person or via a few swipes and taps on their mobile devices.

Webcams are installed throughout the new educational child care facility at 870 Coronado Center Drive, and the live feed can be accessed using apps available through the WatchMeGrow video streaming service.

Parents also can check on their children's academic progress, view photos of them and access their lesson plans using an app called Tadpoles.

"They can look on their phone, and they can see what their child is doing," said Michelle Wennerberg, academy director. "It gives you that extra security."

Brandi Miller, a teacher at the school, said she liked that the school was conducive to parents playing a more active role in their children's day.

"I just like the family feel of these types of environments," she said. "The families get more involved because the kids are younger, and they're at an early learning stage."

Wennerberg said keeping the lines of communication open with parents was among her top goals.

"My priority is to make a connection to every child, every parent — building relationships, making sure everyone's needs are met," she said.

The academy is owned by franchisees Jerry Nesbit, a physician's assistant, and Ricardo Mogollon, an urgent care physician trained in internal medicine and pediatrics.

Mogollon said the facility is accepting enrollments and can accommodate up to 154 students, which would call for 18 to 20 teachers and teacher's assistants.

"It's an excellent location, and it's going to serve a lot of people," said Mogollon, who, on Sept. 4, was helping prepare the site for opening day, which was set for Sept. 14.

The facility features two toddler rooms, two rooms for 2-year-olds, two rooms for 3-year-olds, one room each for 4- and 5-year-olds and one community room where all ages are welcome. An outdoor recreation area is divided into three segments and includes shade structures and playground sets.

The colorful classrooms are equipped with age-appropriate toys and other learning tools, as well as cushions where children can take naps. Toilet training also is provided at the facility.

The academy's curriculum is tailored to be developmentally appropriate and includes language arts; math; science; art; creative movement/drama activities; technology; and social and emotional experiences.

Health and fitness also are priorities, as is character education, which includes learning table manners by participating in family-style dining with breakfast, snacks and lunch, served through the school's restaurant-standard kitchen.

Full-day programs are available for infants ages 6 weeks to 12 months, and full- and half-day programs are offered for children 2 to 5. Prices range from $520 per month for 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds attending the school for half-days twice per week to $1,213 for infants who attend the full-day program five days per week.

A full day lasts from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and a half-day is from 12:30 to 5 p.m.

Expectant mom Elizabeth Latham, who was due to give birth in December, and her husband, Corey, were scoping out the school Sept. 4 while gathering information on area day care centers.

"We're just shopping around," Elizabeth said. "You can't start (education) too soon."

Wennerberg agreed, saying that being in an education-based day care environment helps ensure a seamless transition into school.

"Children will already know how to behave in a classroom," she said. "It'll also help them grasp the learning concepts by the time they're at school age — it won't become such a learning gap."

Visit kiddieacademy.com/henderson or call 702-333-1177.

— To reach Henderson View reporter Cassandra Keenan, email ckeenan@viewnews.com or call 702-383-0278. Find her on Twitter: @CassandraKNews.