Last month on the Friday before Easter, families cheerfully gathered at Tender Tots Child Care Center at 3322 Decatur Ave. in Norwood for an Easter egg hunt. The afternoon’s activities were focused on the children. However, the underlying purpose of the event was connecting with community.

The afternoon’s activities included an egg hunt, egg painting, potato sack races and entertainment from a clown.

“We felt that we would want to do something fun for the kids,” said Rachel Denaro, the center’s educational director. “We started with a really small plan and it expanded, and we opened it up to the community. We want us to be known to everybody and let everybody have fun.”

Many present that afternoon were attending the center for the first time. Elaine Valentin, a grandmother whose children live in the area, was impressed with the facility and is interested in enrolling her two grandchildren.

“This place looks nice, it would benefit the kids,” said Valentin. “They have all ages and they have activities for all for all the kids. I like the way they are organized. It looks like all of the kids here are happy.”

Tender Tots uses a “play based” learning curriculum that works in conjunction with lesson plans and is tailored to specific age groups.

“That is the most important part of this experience,” Denaro said. “The ability to play together and share and grow healthy relationships. We do our ABCs, but I like to promote that learning.”

Despite the revelry, edification of the neighborhood was a concern.

“There is too much going on, we need to put something positive out,” said Nancy Quinones, an administrative assistant at the center. “There is too much violence, there is too much hate on hate. We need to let the new generation get something positive.”

In addition to childcare, the center really wants to establish relationships with families in the community, letting them know that child care is a component of their responsibilities

“We love to grow, we’re trying to create a family here,” Denaro said. “With our parties, we try to bring all of the families in.”

The center is also looking forward to their universal Pre-K program, free of charge, starting in September. Currently there are 85 children at the center, and they would like to expand to as many as 150. Children enrolled vary from infants up to six years of age.

Editor’s Note: For more information, call (718) 324-1052 or visit www.tendertotsny.com.

CAP: Kids participate in an Easter Egg hunt at Tender Tots Child Care Center on Decatur Avenue.
Photo by Clarke Illmatical