Description:
At Oona’s PlayCare we see play as being the “heartbeat” of our program.
Within the context of play there exists a myriad of learning opportunities. Children explore social relationships, contribute ideas and take on the ideas of others. Play provides the opportunity to experiment, explore, discover, and to solve problems. As children play there are opportunities to talk, to listen and to explore language. There are also opportunities to relax, to have fun, to experience and express joy.
At Oona’s Playcare, our teaching team plays an important part in supporting your child’s learning within the context of our playbased program. We provide resources, which support children to form connections, to explore, create, construct and solve problems. We maintain a balance between experiences, which are initiated by the children, and those, which are supported or facilitated by thoughtful and intentional teaching.
We value providing a caring and nurturing environment for children, their families and for staff. Feeling cared for and nurtured supports a person’s healthy emotional, physical and mental development – and causes a sense of belonging, self-worth and connection.
We endeavor to promote practices that care for and nurture our environment.
We recognize that all children, their families and staff are part of a wider community. We value building connections between a child’s home and family, and the classroom. Supporting these connections helps children develop a sense of belonging and self-worth. They know that their teachers and families have a shared interest in what’s happening in their world.
We believe that community and connections within that community are essential both individually and collectively. These connections help contribute towards a healthy personal development and a healthy society.
We strive not only to nurture and foster a healthy community within, but also to look outwards and to form connections with people and places outside the classroom. We believe that it is important for children (and adults) to have an understanding of what it is to belong to a community. We seek to help children understand what it is to “belong” in a number of contexts. We believe that children are citizens in their own right and as such have the opportunity to participate, contribute and engage meaningfully within their various communities.
We present a learning environment that supports the development of children who can:
• make choices
• think independently
• take challenges
• explore ideas
• appreciate beauty
• appreciate diversity
• ask questions
• feel nurtured, safe, and well-cared for
• invite curiosity
We aim to place an equal value on the learning through play that takes place both indoors and outdoors.
We believe that a gentle rhythm to the day helps create a sense of security – however we also believe in providing an environment that is responsive to children’s own rhythm, interests, ideas and contributions.
We believe in the capacity the environment has to influence thinking, mood, behavior, learning and emotions. With this in mind, we work to establish an environment that is aesthetically pleasing, with an emphasis on a “home-like setting, de-institutionalization, high quality materials, use of natural and found objects, and acknowledgement of sustainable practice.
Write a review about Oona's PlayCare. Let other families know what’s great, or what could be improved. Please read our brief review guidelines to make your review as helpful as possible.
I worked here 2 years and was not allowed a lunch break.
I was a lead teacher at Oona’s PlayCare for 7 months in 2017. In my experience Jennifer ran a great loving environment that encouraged play based learning. She always had the children’s best interest at the forefront of her mind and always introduced new, fun and creative activities for them to try. Rain, shine, snow and mud the kiddos would play outside to get some fresh air and get to play with the elements. I would and have recommended Oona’s PlayCare to anyone looking for childcare in the area.
My daughter has been going to Oona's Playcare for almost three years now. Sophia will be five this month. When we first started it was hard for me to leave her in someone's home that i didn't know but Jennifer has been great through the whole process. I receive updates and pictures throughout the day which I LOVE! It makes me feel more involved with the day to day activities while i'm stuck at work.
Since finding Oona's Playcare Sophia has become self sufficient and has grown a big and fun personality. She is excited about doing things on her own like buttering her own bread or cleaning a table. At the end of the day when i ask how her day went she goes on about how much fun she's had with her friends. She is constantly learning new things and she thinks she is just "playing".
The teachers are awesome and I know Sophia will get to be active in a fun, productive, and encouraging environment. After three years i can honestly say bringing her there feels like dropping her off with family.
Words cannot express the thanks that I have for Teacher Jennifer and her staff at Oona' s Playcare. My daughter has been going there for almost 3 years. Since starting there she has grown and learned so much. I have moved out of the area but continue to take her there because she loves it so much. The extra commute is very much worth it to me and my daughter. I highly recommend Oona's Playcare for anyone looking for quality and reliable care for their children.
My children enjoyed their time in owner, Jennifer O’neil’s home after school at Oona’s Playcare, for that
I am grateful. However, I was uneasy many times throughout the experience with Jennifer and felt you
deserve to know why.
The multiple additions of drivers to approved school pick up list were overwhelming. Not knowing who
was picking up my children, compelling me to ask if those individuals knew my children was unnerving.
On 1/18/18 Jennifer O’neil made a call directly to the school to add an Oona’s Playcare employee to
the approved school pick up list without my knowledge. I was told Jennifer proceeded to curse
obscenities at the school secretary and hung up when she was told the directive to change pick up
requires parent approval.
I was appalled. I felt trapped, at work that day with no options for after school care. I did not want to
address my concerns with Jennifer for fear of retaliation as my children remained in her home. I felt
solace in the fact my kids were content and old enough to communicate if they were not.
Unfortunately, my silence likely enforced this behavior as acceptable, when it was not. I accept that
responsibility.
On 3/14/18 I received a call from the school that my kids were waiting but no one had arrived to pick
them up. My heart sank at that moment in the middle of an airport as I waited for my plane to get me
home from work that evening. I was paralyzed. I could not continue to disregard this behavior nor was I
going to leave my children in a situation while I wait out a contractual 1 month written notice period.
Someone from Oona’s Playcare arrived for my kids within minutes of that phone call, only 15 minutes
late, it happens.
Unfortunately, my overall experience over the six-month period was disconcerting and more than I
could tolerate any longer.