Photos courtesy of EduCare Academy

While I was researching companies to add to the Columbus Parenting 101: complete list of enhanced childcare companies, I ran across a company by the name of EduCare Academy. I clicked on their website and was immediately intrigued by what I found. The first thing that caught my eye was the statement “Founded by licensed teachers who have a combined 5 B.A.'s and 2 Master's”. The second thing I was drawn to was “Live password protected streaming video of facility”. As a mother of five I spent a lot of time over the years searching for good childcare and the two priorities always topping my list were the quality of the curriculum and the safety of my children.

I wanted to know more about this company so I contacted their Director, Jessica Leadbetter. According to Leadbetter, “Our organization provides loving, educational childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. We believe ourselves to be a home away from home for all of our children. Our small classes and overall size is also rather unique. We accept less than 40 students total in our building, creating a very family-like atmosphere. Each teacher knows all children on an individual basis, regardless of what room they are assigned to.” Leadbetter goes on to explain some of the attributes she feels set EduCare Academy apart from other childcare programs:

Photos courtesy of EduCare Academy

Privately owned: EduCare Academy was founded by Joel and Alison Spitzer, two licensed teachers who work in the Olentangy School system. The Spitzers have a combined 5 B.A.’s and 2 Master’s Degrees. They chose to open EduCare because they were displeased with their children’s day care and were unable to find a child care that lived up to their standards.

Minimum 4 year degree: All of the classroom teachers at EduCare Academy have a minimum of a 4 year college degree. Floaters and substitutes are required to have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalency. All staff is also required to complete 15 hours of in-service training each year. Included in their first year of in-service training is the completion of CPR, Pediatric First Aid, Communicable Disease Recognition, and Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition.

Curriculum includes art classes: EduCare Academy employs a licensed art teacher who teaches a 30 minute art class to all children 18 months and older. Our art teacher develops her own lesson plans in which she chooses an artist of the week for the children to learn about and practice different artistic techniques.

Quarterly “Parents’ Night”: All EduCare Academy parents are invited to participate in quarterly “Parents’ Night” in which they receive free babysitting from 6pm-8pm, giving parents time for a quiet dinner together or quick movie.

Parents help to hire the teachers: Another quality that sets EduCare Academy apart from other child care centers is the fact that we involve the parents in all aspects of our hiring process. Applicants are initially interviewed by EduCare Academy’s director and if qualified they are invited back for a second interview. In the second interview, the parents are invited to attend and ask questions of the applicant. The parents ultimately decide who they would like us to hire, and where they would like that person to work. We strongly believe in this hiring process, and parents have thanked us over and over again for involving them in the process.

Leadbetter, a native of Chesterland, Ohio, earned a degree in Finance from Ohio University. Within six months of sitting behind an auditor’s desk, she knew she had to make a major life change.
Having always loved children, she found a new career as a Lead Teacher in a childcare facility. “I instantly knew that I had found my calling in life” she said. Leadbetter began working for EduCare Academy within a month of the company opening and was promoted to Director January 2009. “I have never been happier than I am with my current position. Each day is filled with new and exciting challenges!”

For additional information:
EduCare Academy
8905 Owenfield Drive, Powell, Ohio 43036
www.educare-academy.com
740-548-5157

 If you liked this article, you may also enjoy:

Columbus kids benefit from traveling gymnastics
Columbus' own Mouth of the Wolf Productions offers unique theatre and drama opportunities
Developing math strategies can help your student learn to think for themselves
Columbus students make great library volunteers
SportsOhio has something for every Columbus student
Scrapbooking - a unique activity for Columbus kids