I would greatly appreciate opinions and feedback!

My good friend and I want to start a business...we want to open up a place for toddlers/preschoolers. Not really a children's museum, not really a Gymboree type place, but sorta a combo of the two, plus more.

My friend has her degree in Early Childhood, and I am a teacher (elem.) with my Master's and we feel that we have a lot of experience with young kids and the types of things they like.

I will try to explain what I mean, but my thoughts are all over the place and I have a lot more thinking to do. There is a LOT of tweaking to do obviously, and I would love your thoughts or opinions on everything.

What I am envisioning is either a realllly HUGE room that we could divide up, or a place with many different sections/rooms. We could have an area with arts and crafts types stuff, with easels, tables, art supplies etc. Another section might be filled with play kitchens and "pretend" type play. Another section might have playscapes (like the step2 or little tykes platic stuff?), ride on toys and gross motor type things. Another section might be filled with all sorts of music making stuff. Another section could have fine motor building activities in it. Another section would be geared toward the youngest ones, with soft mats to climb on, tunnels, etc. Maybe a section with bean bag chairs, soft couches and tons of board books. Basically one big toy store. Maybe even themed rooms? I don't know. We'd have to pick and choose what would be most successful.

I would like people to pay a membership fee or something...but if you didn't want to join, you could still come and pay a small fee for the day. I'm not sure what membership should include exactly.

We would offer classes and a set schedule. Classes would include an art class, a music and movement class, etc. I would also like to have "playgroups" there...meaning that I would have certain days/times set aside for certain age groups...so moms could talk to one another while their children played, and people could make friends and find others who have kids the same age. This, to me, is one of the more important parts of this venture.

We'd LOVE any suggestions, ideas, whatever. Thanks!!

Oh, and this would be in CT.

Re: I would greatly appreciate opinions and feedback!

Message edited 4/26/2007 12:17:42 PM.

Re: I would greatly appreciate opinions and feedback!

i think it sounds like a great idea. especially the playgroups. i wish you were in NY!

Re: I would greatly appreciate opinions and feedback!

Re: I would greatly appreciate opinions and feedback!

I've never heard of Orly's. I checked out the website and it's VERY different from what I am thinking of. Thanks for the link though, I did get one good idea from it.

That place is WICKED expensive!!! Yikes!

I want my place to be very affordable.

Re: I would greatly appreciate opinions and feedback!

I went to a place in Charlotte,NC called Discovery Place. It had a room where there was a water table, a place for toddlers, etc.
It was just a room split in sections


KidsPlace
KidsPlace offers hands-on activities for Children ages 6 and under.Interactive exhibits include a water table, treehouse and toddler area. Activities help children learn about the senses, health, dinosaurs and nature.


My son had a great time in that part since he was so young ( 17 months old).

Re: I would greatly appreciate opinions and feedback!

There are a lot of legal issues you will need to consider- liability insurance, etc... If you would like, you can contact me and we can discuss this. My law firm is based in CT.

Re: I would greatly appreciate opinions and feedback!

This actually sounds a lot like the daycare center we signed DD for! Different areas with activities. They have low walls- maybe 3 or 4 feet high, separating the areas for the infants. For the older kids, it's more like one giant room with different areas. One of the things I liked best about this place was the giant Gymboree-type things to climb on- lots of opportunity for physical activity. Here's the website, maybe it will give you some ideas: daycare

Good luck! It sounds like a great idea!