If you missed part one, here is the link:
The Beginning
This is a recollection of a daycare I attended. I was in elementary school at the time. My memories of this time are bits and pieces. They are turning into more feelings than actual memories. For the purposes of this retelling, I won’t be including real names and places.
I had a preconceived notion about what a daycare should be when I attended this next daycare. For the purposes of this blog, we will call it Prism Daycare.
The daycare was also run by a family. Miss J was the owner and her mother also helped. I can’t remember the mother’s name. This center was the opposite end of the spectrum.
You know the song from Annie, “Hard Knock Life”? We could have sung it at the other day care.
But at Prism, instead of shouting, belts and punishment, we got hugs, love and learning.
The Kids
The kids were all ages at Prism. There were kids with disabilities, babies and kids up to late elementary. At Prism, I learned that everyone was different, but we all got along for the most part.
I experienced seeing a seizure for the first time. There were a couple of kids that would have grand mal seizures. That is a scary thing to see for a little kid, but we learned that we needed to move, get a teacher and eventually the child would be ok. When I was in Junior High, a girl in one of my classes had a seizure. I knew what to expect. I told the kids around me what was happening and that she would be ok.
The Teachers
Miss J. was amazing. She loved everybody and I wanted to be just like her and in her presence. During her spare time, she was in a group that would re-enact historical events. They would dress up, play music, and have parties. This is important to remember for later. Aren’t you excited now?
When my class was studying this part in history, Miss J. and her group came to the class and put on a presentation. I thought it was cool.
We also had a teacher from New Zealand, which was awesome to us kids because she had a cool accent. Miss J’s mother was also a teacher. One day she picked us up from school and wanted to go by a garage sale. We all went with her to the garage sale and we were late getting back to the daycare. Miss J. was worried about us and I think she scolded her mom. This was before cell phones so she had no idea what had happened to us.
Another teacher was named Miss R. She was also nice. Occasionally, the daycare would host a parent’s night out and stay open late on a Friday night. Miss R. was going to watch us and we were looking forward to a fun evening. The evening was just getting started and the phone rang. Miss R was crying and screaming. Miss J. came to watch us and Miss R. left. We found out that her son died playing Russian Roulette.
Miss B. was also a teacher. She represented wisdom to me. She worked in the baby room a lot, but would also watch the school age kids. When I was going to another grade, I was old enough to not need day care anymore. I remember Miss B. talking about it with me and ensuring me that I would be ok.
The Activities
We learned sign language at this daycare. As an adult, when I was learning sign, I learned ASL. Prism taught us more English signs, but some ASL. It was a good experience to at least be exposed to the language, but it was a shock to know most of what I remembered wasn’t true ASL. We learned words, songs and if we needed to use the facilities, we learned the sign for the bathroom. This was a polite way to get the point across.
The second level of the daycare was made into sections that were activity centers. You could choose a different area and stay there for a certain period of time. Some of the centers were books, games, and a dress-up area. I remember reading Shel Silverstein there.
http://www.shelsilverstein.com/
We had a male teacher who had a son. I believe the man was ex-military. The son teased me about my hair. He called me “fuzzy”. He said my hair looked fuzzy, which I hated. The father had the idea to turn the backyard into an obstacle course. We did it, but for some of the kids that had physical problems, it was difficult. We all hated it. I believe someone must have complained because he didn’t work there long.
The Later Years
I grew up and moved on. The daycare is now a house. I wonder if it is a normal house or if they keep kids there? Are the people there happy? I had a happy times there.
I don’t know what Miss J. did after the daycare. She was married and had a son while I attended. She may have become a teacher. If she did, she would have been a great one.
Remember the group I told you would be important? My husband was in this group. I was somewhat familiar with it because of Miss J. My husband and I went to an event all dressed up and Miss J. was there. I wish I had exchanged information with her. Facebook wasn’t really a thing and I don’t recall if I had a cell phone at that time. It was good to see her and introduce her to my husband. Isn’t it strange that my husband would be in this group that not many people are familiar with?
Maybe again, I was being prepared for my future. If I examine things closely I can see them intertwine.
In honor of Miss J, here are some Shel Silverstein poems for you to enjoy!
https://www.harpercollins.com/blogs/harperkids/shel-silverstein-poems
If you like what you see, please like, share, and pass it along! You can subscribe to the blog and you can find us on Pinterest and Facebook!
Love it!
Thank you!!