MetroKids - 1018 DE

YEARS 9 2

October 2018 • free Delaware

g n i n r Lea e

v r Cu

Kids Learn to Code Student ʻOccupational Hazardsʼ Independent PreK-8 School Survey Zero Tolerance Policy Limits

Fall Fun For All Magazines • Guides • Events • Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest • Instagram

MetroKids.com

DELAWARE DANCE COMPANY

A non-profit organization committed to bringing high quality dance training and performances to the community

The NuTcracker

A MAgicAl FAMily trAdition in newArk For 35 yeArs! Friday, November 30 7:00pm Saturday, december 1 2:00pm & 7:00pm SuNday, december 2 2:00pm Mitchell Hall, University of Delaware • Tickets $15-$35

Special meet & Greet - Saturday at NooN This program is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com

168 South Main Street, Suite 101, Newark, DE, 19711 • 302-738-2023 • www.delawaredancecompany.org

Contents

OCTOBER 2018 • Vol. 29, No. 10

In This Issue 4 Meet 2019’s CoverKids 5 Students’ Occupational Hazards 7 Coding for Kids 16 Win It! SpecialKids 6 Caught in Zero Tolerance

Wilmington, DE

2018 Season

Open Weekends Sept 22nd thru Oct 28th Sat/Sun and Columbus Day 10am - 5pm Open Fridays in October Noon to 5pm Weekday School Groups by Appointment

7

Resources 8 PreK-8 Indepdent School Survey 12 School Open-House Dates

Conquer our Many Mazes!

“Do it in the Dark! – Flashlight Corn Maze (see web for details)”

Family Fun 11 Halloween From Tame to Scary 13 Day-by-Day Fall Calendar

3 Events; 9 Education; 16 Fall Fun; 17 Child Care

14

ick U-P tch a ur it o in P Vis mpk Pu

Ad Sections

FIND US

ONLINE

Hay Rides, Boy Scout/Girl Scout Events, Company Outings, Birthday Parties, Pumpkin Picking, Corn stalks, Gourds, Straw Bales, and many activities for the kids...

(Private parties hosted year-round by appointment) For more information and a complete calendar of events, visit ramseysfarm.com

Located 1 mile from Concord Mall on the DE/PA line in Delaware The farm is off Route 92 on Ramsey Road.

Look for the “Red Arrow” signs.

GPS location: 500 Ramsey Road, Wilm., DE 19803 (this is not a mailing address)

www.RAMSEYSFARM.com

MetroKids.com OCTOBER 2018

smart. local. parenting.

302 477-1499

MetroKids.com 3

MK Memo

Meet the 2019 CoverKids Winners Wow, there are a lot of cute kids out there.

Hundreds of them entered our CoverKids contest again this year. Picking the winners is never easy, but here they are: The local, adorable stars in each age group who will be on our covers through next year.

Thanks to all of you who entered and all of you who voted.

There is still time to vote for our Readers’ Choice contestants at MetroKids.com/ CoverKids. We will announce the winner next month.

If you know a cute kid, become a fan of our Facebook page, sign up for our newsletters and check out MetroKids.com so you don’t miss out on the chance to enter the 2020 contest.

2-5 years Maggie C.

11-16 years Kal S.

1412-1414 Pine St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 215-291-5560; 856-667-3555; 302-224-3020 Toll Free: 888-890-4668 Fax: 215-291-5565 Visit us online at MetroKids.com

President: Nancy Lisagor, PhD, ext. 109 nlisagor@metrokids.com Publisher: Darlene Weinmann, ext. 108 dweinmann@metrokids.com Managing Editor: Dave Gilmartin, ext. 102 editor@metrokids.com Resource Editor: Cheyenne Shaffer, ext. 101 calendar@metrokids.com Contributing Writers: Terri Akman, Suzanne Koup-Larsen, Frank Lipsius, Kathy O’Connell, Ann L. Rappoport, PhD Production Manager: Veronica Hanna, ext. 103 production@metrokids.com Finance: Marcella Reis, ext. 104 finance@metrokids.com

Infant - 24 mos.

Madelynn W.

6-10 years Liam H.

Marketing/Circulation: Susan Braverman, ext. 100 marketing@metrokids.com Interns: Ben Lowenthal

ADVERTISING SALES 888-890-4668 Chrisy Holsopple

ext. 111

Pam Kuperschmidt

ext. 120

Emily Ondik

ext. 105

Samantha Tuttle

ext. 106

ext. 100

Classified Sales

We welcome your ideas and feedback. Write us at editor@metrokids.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus and Instagram.

Slime & Monster Sensory Activities Potions & Dry Ice Experiments Popcorn, Apples, & Treat Bags Costume Contest

DelawareChildrensMuseum.org 4 MetroKids.com

MetroKids® is published monthly by KidStuff Publications, Inc. © 2018 MetroKids® Magazine. All rights reserved by KidStuff Publications, Inc. ISSN 1094-8503. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material. MetroKids® or KidStuff Pub­lica­t­ions do not assume responsibility for statements or opinions expressed by editorial contributors or advertisers. MetroKids® and SpecialKids® are trademarks of KidStuff Publications, Inc. The acceptance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Advertisers indemnify and hold harmless the publisher from any claim and all loss, expense, or liability arising out of the publication of any advertisement.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: U.S.A. $36, one year; $72, two years. Single copies free.

AWARD–WINNING MEMBER OF THE:

OCTOBER 2018

Health

‘OCCUPATIONAL

HAZARDS’

of Being a Student

By Jennifer Lesser You may not think of being a student as a job, but it is. Sure, the rewards are grades, not raises. And you get promoted to the next grade, not the corner office.

But it’s still a form of work, which means there are “occupational hazards.”

Here are some on-the-job safety issues kids and their parents need to watch out for during the school year.

Sleep deprivation

Quite possibly the biggest occupational hazard of being a student is sleep deprivation. After a summer of erratic bedtimes, many school-aged children struggle to get back on track with their sleep routine. Sleep deprivation can lead to an array of issues, from an inability to focus in the classroom to behavior issues at home.

Dr. Mary Stailey-Sims, a pediatrician practicing at Advocare Woolwich Pediatrics in Woolwich, NJ and Jefferson Health in Stratford, NJ, recommends that parents ensure their child is getting at least eight hours of sleep.

“Most parents become lackadaisical about their children’s sleep patterns over the summer, so you want to be sure they’re able to get back into their regular sleep routines as soon as possible,” she says.

Illness

For many school-age children, back to school often means back to the doctor’s office. Once your child returns to a classroom with dozens of other kids — and starts sharing desks and school supplies — it should come as no surprise if

!

they end up kicking off the school year with a cold or flu.

“We generally see an increase in illnesses after school starts,” says Dr. Olga Vinshtok, regional medical director for Patient First, with locations throughout South Jersey and Pennsylvania. “Kids are coming into close contact with one another and increasing the chances for illnesses to spread.”

Vinshtok’s advice is simple: make sure kids wash their hands frequently. It’s also never a bad idea to toss a travel-sized hand sanitizer into your kid’s lunchbox with that PB&J.

Backaches

Physical aches and pains may crop up when your child heads back to school and often heavy backpacks are the culprit. “Every student has to carry a backpack to transport his books and personal belongings, but I’ve seen way too many kids — often as young as first or second grade — carrying an enormous backpack that’s completely inappropriate for them,” says Debra Westcott, a pediatric nurse with AtlantiCare Health Services Pediatric Care in Atlantic City, NJ. Westcott says to be sure your child’s backpack has padded straps and is the appropriate size and fit. “Those heavy backpacks can definitely cause issues down the road. Many kids end up with shoulder, neck,

and back issues.”

Parents should sort through their child’s backpack on a regular basis to lighten it and ensure it’s packed correctly.

“Those books and papers accumulate very quickly, so you want to encourage your child to only carry the essentials and toss whatever is no longer needed,” Stailey-Sims says. Tell them to pack textbooks and the heaviest items closest to their backs to minimize strain.

Sports injuries

Another place where your child can get injured isn’t in the classroom, but out on the field. Westcott says she often sees children with sports-related problems once the school year is in full swing, particularly ankle and knee injuries.

“Some students play one sport all year, and that inevitably leads to overuse injuries,” Stailey-Sims says. “For young athletes, it’s really best to have variety; there will be less strain on the same joints, and it gives kids the opportunity to help develop new muscles to help protect against injuries.”

Too much screen time

How much screen time your child should have each day is a hot-button issue among parents. Westcott recommends school-aged children not spend more than two hours a day in front of a screen, including computers, television, phones and handheld or video games.

“The overuse of devices is officially being diagnosed as an addiction and there are even studies that suggest the increase in children with ADD and ADHD is directly related to the increased time that kids spend staring at video games, televisions, and computers,” she warns.

That time spent staring at a computer or bent over an iPad or phone can take its toll physically as well. “A lot of kids end up with headaches caused by eye strain, which can happen if you don’t take

continued on next page OCTOBER 2018

MetroKids.com 5

SpecialKids

N I P U T H E

G C U N A A C TOLER O R E Z

Get-tough policies meant to prevent violence often unecessarily ensnare students with special needs.

By Lisa Lightner A few years ago in suburban Baltimore, a 7-year-old was suspended from school. His offense? He chewed a Pop-Tart into the shape of a gun and pointed it at his classmates.

His parents fought the punishment, but a judge and the Maryland Department of Education backed the school since it had a zero-tolerance policy on weapons.

Zero-tolerance policies in schools were created out of the tragedy at Columbine in the form of the Guns Free School Act of 1994. Initially created to address guns and other weapons, in many districts it expanded to include non-weapon, non-drug and non-physical offenses.

While students in special education can make up 15 percent of a school’s population, they represent approximately 75 percent of the students who get suspended and zero-tolerance policies can contribute to that, according to a report from the Center for American Progress.

If students with special needs are suspended for behaviors that are a manifestation of their disabilities, there are two important consequences: 1. They aren’t learning the appropriate replacement behaviors. Since the punishment isn’t always immediate (often the suspension starts the next day), it is hard for students to tie the punishment to the actual offense.

2. Some students who are sent home see it as a reward. If school is difficult, this is a way out. Maybe a child prefers to be with a parent who is home during the school day.

The result is positive reinforcement of a negative behavior. In addition, some studies suggest zero-tolerance policies do not decrease the severity or frequency of incidents and may even contribute to an increase.

All parents, but especially those who have children in special education, should be aware of their school district’s zero-tolerance policy and contact school board members if they believe a change is needed.

Parents can also ask to have items put in the child’s IEP or Behavior Plan to alert staff of behaviors that could be considered dangerous, but are not. For example, some kids really enjoy drawing elaborate pictures of weapons and wars. In some schools, that can be considered a threat and get a student expelled under a zero-tolerance policy.

States, such as Delaware, have passed legislation that limits zero-tolerance policies to weapons. Pennsylvania is considering similar legislation with the addition that it also limits enforcement to students over the age of 10. New Jersey is not considering any similar legislation.

Lisa Lightner is a West Chester, PA special-education advocate who blogs at ADayinOurShoes.com and is a contributor to MetroKids.com’s MomSpeak.

6 MetroKids.com

Health

continued from p. 5

breaks from the screen,” Stailey-Sims says. “Kids also tend to hunch over their phones, so they’re ending up with neck and upper-back pain.” She recommends that parents encourage their children to take their eyes off the screen every 15 minutes, change positions and stretch or roll their shoulders.

Nutrition

It’s not just kids who struggle to return to hectic school-day routines. It’s difficult for many busy parents to find the time to prepare nutritious meals during the school year. Your child can suffer if you rely on too many packaged foods or skip meals all together. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Do not skip it,” Vinshtok says. “Healthy choices will give your child the energy she’ll need for the rest of the day.”

Parents should also try to avoid giving into the temptation to eat on the run.

“Nutritious, sit-down meals are often sacrificed during the school year because kids have demanding activity schedules, but it’s important that they have the opportunity to eat a balanced meal, especially if they’re going to play sports,” Westcott says.

Anxiety

Last, one of the most prevalent, but perhaps less obvious hazards of being a school-age student, is anxiety. Today’s kids face pressure to perform in school and juggle multiple extracurricular activities and sports. As a result, many children struggle with increased stress and anxiety-related issues. Stailey-Sims notes that it’s absolutely crucial for parents not to fall victim to the urge to sign their kids up for multiple dance classes, sports and music lessons once the school year starts.

“One of the best things you can do for your child this school year is to limit them to one activity per season and no matter what, always make sure they have ample time allotted each day for homework, meals and play,” Westcott says.

Jennifer Lesser is a New Jersey-based freelance writer.

OCTOBER 2018

Education

Schools are teaching kids coding skills, some from a young age. “It’s a new language.”

By Terri Akman We all depend on technology every day, but most of us probably don’t know exactly how our computers or smartphones work.

That won’t be the case for students today who learn coding in school as early as kindergarten.

“Coding is a subset of a larger set of skills called computer science,” explains Josh Caldwell, K-12 curriculum lead for Code.org based in Seattle, WA. “Kids who are coding are typically writing programs to solve problems.”

That’s important, he says, because, regardless of the career path, the world is built on technology. “In the same way I wouldn’t be comfortable with a student not knowing how her body works — she’s going to live with that body the rest of her life — she needs to know how computers work and how they’re a tool for solving problems,” says Caldwell.

but programming coding can be equally expressive,” says Caldwell.

Coding is about how to attack a challenge, says Bernadette Gilmore, director of academics and curriculum at The Independence School in Newark, DE. “I’ve brainstormed a way, now I’m going to try it,” she explains of the student’s mindet. “Then I have to reflect – did that work? And then when it didn’t, because in all likelihood first tries don’t work, how am I going to go back and rethink my process?

“What a great basis for all learning.”

There is a growing job market for coders.

“Technology is not going to slow down, it’s only going to continue to permeate every aspect of our culture,” says Gaspich. “The details of coding are significant, but the thought behind how you actually construct code and how to be both direct but also formulaic, is extremely practical beyond the specific computer-science class.”

Basic literacy in a digital age

Start young

While the goal in coding is to tell a computer how to function, coding education teaches students many skills. “It’s a new language,” says Tyler Gaspich, director of academic technology at the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur in Villanova, PA. “Students learn how to organize, express and share ideas in new ways, in a new medium.”

It is also not geared only to kids with mathematical acumen, since it requires important communication and collaboration skills, creativity and resilience.

“Kids think art and music are expressive,

OCTOBER 2018

Coding is a complicated subject that can take many years to master. Students start in early grades with very basic skills, building upon that foundation as they move through later grades. Older students use coding skills in robotics, popular video games, like Minecraft, and art and music programs.

Kids as young as kindergarten learn simple coding skills through animated apps that teach how to program an interactive story or game. A simple drag-and-drop system is easy for young children to understand, especially kids already familiar with

technology. For example, a child might be instructed to move a character forward one block and then take a right turn for two blocks.

“Without having to understand the syntax of a more complicated programming language, she can learn the concepts, logic and reasoning behind coding,” says Gilmore.

Coding builds problem-solving skills and logic by “making certain things happen in a consecutive order,” adds Bruce Taylor, director of technology for the Voorhees Township School District.

Should coding be mandatory?

There currently isn’t a mandate to teach coding in schools, though each year more schools add some form of computer science.

“If you look at the workforce, present day and in the future, we’re falling behind as a country,” says Taylor. “It would be great to get kids more interested.”

For students who aren’t able to learn coding in school, parents can take advantage of free apps and programs accessible online.

“As a school, our job is to provide opportunities for every student,” Gaspich says.

“Just like teaching history or math, coding is something everyone is going to need some exposure to.”

Terri Akman is a Philadelphia-based contributing writer for MetroKids.

MetroKids.com 7

PreK-8 Independent School Survey Nothing prepares a child for a great future like a great start.

Fortunately, there are many independent schools in Delaware that can provide your child with that educational foundation.

With so many options, it can be difficult to select which school is best for your family. To help parents in this search, we offer our 29th annual Independent School Survey for grades PreK-8.

In the chart below, you’ll find information about school and class size, tuition and financial aid, technology availability and instruction, world languages and extracurricular activities.

KEY:

School, Location Website; Phone

Tuition

Tuition is listed as a range, as described in the accompanying key; schools offering financial aid are marked “FAO.” You can also find this information and more at Metrokids.com/ k-8schools, where you can sort by school, state, county, grades of school and gender.

We are always looking for ways to improve our listings, so please send suggestions to editor@metrokids.com.

Extracurriculars

$ = < $10,000 $$ = $10,000-$20,000 $$$ = $20,000-$30,000 $$$$ = > $30,000 FAO = Financial aid offered

Grades Gender

Services

= Art = Community service = Music = Robotics/Technology = Sports

Enrollment Student: teacher ratio

Tuition Financial aid

Languages Grade begins

Albert Einstein Academy K-5 35 $$ Hebrew-K Wilmington Coed 6:1 FAO Einsteinday.org; 302-478-5026 Brandywine Valley’s premier K-5 Jewish day school, fostering inquisitive learners, critical thinkers and dynamic leaders.

= Special needs accommodated = Summer camp, school or program

BYOD = Bring your own device

Technology Grade begins

Extracurriculars

Other services

Chromebooks-K

Caravel Academy PreK-12 840 $ French-elem.; 1:1 MacBooks-7 Bear Coed 28:1 FAO Spanish-elem.

Caravel.org; 302-834-8938 Teacher and aide in all classrooms, new science labs, Renweb online info accessible to students and parents, 1:1 computer program.

Central Delaware Christian Academy PreK-8 80 $ Foreign language instruction-4 Dover Coed 10:1 FAO enrichment-1 Cdcacademy.org; 302-697-8407 School mission is to provide a solid academic and spiritual foundation for students to succeed in higher education and in life. Uses Abeka curriculum.

Fairwinds Christian School PreK-12 160 $ Spanish-1 instruction-K Bear Coed 20:1 FAO Fcsknights.com; 302-328-7404 45-year-old Christian college-prep school uses Abeka and Bob Jones text materials. Daycare for children 6wks. to age 3. All faculty members are born-again believers.

Hockessin Montessori School, The PreK-8 135 instruction-K; Hockessin $$ Spanish-PreK Coed 15:1 iPads-1 Thehms.org; 302-234-1240 Innovative, progressive Montessori methodology helps students develop academically, intellectually, socially, emotionally and morally in a nurturing and secure environment.

450 $ (1/2-day PreK); French-5; Latin-5; BYOD-5; coding-1; Independence School, The PreK-8 12-18:1 (PreK); $$ (full-day PreK Mandarin-7; laptops; iPads, Newark; Theindependenceschool.org Coed 18-22:1 (K-8) up); FAO Spanish-K Coding 302-239-0330 Multifaceted instruction incorporates project-based and collaborative learning and Innovation Station STEM classroom. Situated on 90 acres with early childhood outdoor garden.

Jefferson School, The PreK-8 109 $$ Spanish-PreK Chromebooks-3 Georgetown Coed 10:1 FAO Jeffersonschool.com; 302-856-3300 Integrated curriculum with project-based, experiential learning. Campus features nature trail, two ponds, a green house with adjacent garden and resident goats Lucy and Ethel.

Mount Aviat Academy 1:1 iPads; coding; PreK-8 225 $ French-PreK Childs, MD computer lab Coed 25:1 FAO Mountaviat.org; 410-398-2206 2016 award recipient as an innovator in Catholic education, 2014 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, 50+ years of history, situated on a beautiful 25-acre campus. computer lab; NCCL School K-8 80 $$ Spanish-K 1:1 computers; Newark Coed 10:1 FAO instruction Ncclschool.com; 302-368-7772 Progressive school whose mission is to provide a rich academic foundation while fostering confident thinkers and igniting the passion for learning that is within each child.

8 MetroKids.com

OCTOBER 2018

MANY SCHOOLS

ONE

MISSION Red Lion Christian Academy, Tall Oaks Classical School and Glasgow Christian Academy partner together to offer Christ-centered, contemporary, classical, homeschool, and special needs education.

WWW.REACHSCHOOLS.ONLINE

302-834-5020 OCTOBER 2018

MetroKids.com 9

School, Location Website; Phone

Grades Gender

Enrollment Student: teacher ratio

Tuition Financial aid

Languages Grade begins

Technology Grade begins

Extracurriculars

Other services

Red Lion Christian Academy PreK-12 425 $ Spanish-8 instruction Bear Coed 15:1 FAO Reachschools.online; 302-834-2526 Multi-denominational school that exists to support families as they equip their children, for Christ, to excel in all areas of school, family and community life. $-$$ (PreK); 1:1 Chromebooks; Saint Anne’s Episcopal School PreK-8 265 $$ (K-8) Spanish-PreK instruction-4; Middletown Coed 15:1 FAO iPad labs-PreK Stannesde.org; 302-378-3179 Independent day school focused on academic excellence and spiritual growth in a small, family-oriented and diverse community. Extended care available. computer labs; Saint Anthony of Padua PreK-8 225 $ instruction; Wilmington; School.stanthonynet.org Coed 24:1 FAO SmartBoards 302-421-3743 A diocesan Catholic school with student outreach programs, accelerated math classes, a wide variety of extracurricular activities and an award-winning student council.

243 $ (PreK-3); Saint Edmond’s Academy PreK-8 13:1 (PreK-3) $$ (4-8) Spanish-PreK 1:1 iPads Wilmington; Stedmondsacademy.org Boys 14:1 (4-8) FAO 302-475-5370 Roman Catholic boys’ school in the tradition of Holy Cross empowers students with academics, values & skills for success. Service learning begins in PreK. Eight sports for 3rd & 4th grades. $$ (PreK-K); French-K; Sanford School PreK-12 351 $$$ (2 up) Latin-K; instruction-K Hockessin Coed 12:1 FAO Spanish-K Sanfordschool.org; 302-235-6500 Rigorous academics incorporate tech, visual and performing arts, world languages and cultures and exceptional athletics. Focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Tall Oaks Classical School K-12 220 $ Latin-3 computer lab-7 Bear Coed 16:1 FAO Reachschools.online; 302-738-3337 Protestant Reformed school with diverse student body provides a classical education in grammar, dialectic & rhetoric with a Biblical worldview. Fosters community, leadership and service. $$ (PreK-K); French-5; BYOD; Tatnall School, The PreK-12 600 $$$ (1-8); Latin-5; desktop labs Wilmington Coed 6:1 FAO Spanish-PreK Tatnall.org; 302-998-2292 The Tatnall School provides a strong, balanced foundation with exceptional academics, outstanding athletics, unparalleled arts and authentic relationships.

Chinese-K; Tome School, The K-12 450 $ French-K; Latin-5; North East, MD Coed 15-20:1 FAO Spanish-K Tomeschool.org; 410-287-2050 Independent college-prep school with academically rigorous curriculum, varsity sports, many clubs and activities.

BYOD; instruction-1

French-5; Latin-5; Tower Hill School PreK-12 757 $$ - $$$$ Mandarin-5; BYOD Wilmington Coed 14-15:1 FAO Spanish-PreK Towerhill.org; 302-575-0550 Tower Hill School inspires students to be their best in a supportive environment that balances engaging academics with athletics, the arts and service learning.

Ursuline Academy PreK-12 1:1 laptop-6; $(1/2-day PreK); French-7; Latin-6; Wilmington Coed 275 computer labs; $$ (full-day PreKSpanish-PreK Ursuline.org (Prek-5) 14:1 iPads; laptop carts 8); FAO 302-658-7158 Girls (6 up) Rigorous Catholic school academics are coed from PreK through grade 5 and all-girls from grade 6 up. Montessori PreK option. Team sports begin in 3rd grade; service learning in PreK. Wilmington Christian School PreK-12 500 $-$$ German-7; instruction-PreK Hockessin; Wilmingtonchristian.org Coed 16:1 FAO Spanish-PreK 302-239-2121 Challenging academic environment also helps students develop a Biblical worldview. Drama, music, sports and academic challenges begin in elementary school. $-$$ (PreK); Chinese-6; 1:1 MacBooks; Wilmington Friends School PreK-12 415 $$ (K); French-6; programming/ Wilmington; Wilmingtonfriends.org; Coed 16:1 $$$ (1 up); FAO Spanish-PreK robotics; STEM lab 302-576-2900 Quaker school with rigorous academics: International Baccalaureate program; STEM/Design labs; Chinese program and 860-panel solar-power system. Malone Scholar school. $$ (1-6) Wilmington Montessori School 1:1 iPads-4; PreK-6 220 $$$ (full year) Spanish-Pre-K Wilmington coding Coed 10:1 FAO Wmsde.org; 302-475-0555 Collaborative learning community rooted in Montessori principles on 25-acre campus with STEAM Maker Spaces and woodland trails. Toddler program begins at 12 months.

10 MetroKids.com

OCTOBER 2018

Family Fun

continued from p. 6

Sweater weather is in full swing, jack-o-lanterns perch on doorsteps and kids can’t wait to show off their Halloween costumes. Celebrate the season with harvest fun and haunted attractions throughout the Delaware Valley.

KEY: not-so-spooky; elementary-age eerie; batten down the hatches!

Ramsey’s Farm, Wilmington

Fifer Orchards, Camden-Wyoming

Through Oct. 27; closed Sun. The season-long Fall Fest features a corn maze, pumpkin painting, tractor-train rides, food vendors, farm tours and live music.

Fri.-Sun. through Oct. Up for a challenge? You’ll find three mazes here. In addition to the traditional hay maze and sorghum maze, an internationally themed offering lets visitors travel from one cornstalk continent to the next, learning about farming and technology along the way.

Arasapha Farms, Glen Mills, PA

Sat. & Sun. through Oct. 28 In addition to U-pick pumpkins, hayrides and a maze, new activities at the pumpkin garden include a barn bounce, pumpkin jump and gem digging.

Loblolly Acres, Woodside

Sat. & Sun. through Oct. There’s plenty to keep kids busy here, from a petting zoo, hayrides and straw maze to a play area, corn pit and pumpkin patch.

3 Palms Zoo, Clayton

Fri. & Sat. through Oct. During Boo at the Zoo, Blackbird Forest is decked out with a graveyard, skeletons, pumpkins, witches and a few surprises. Round out the spooky fun by meeting nocturnal critters and roasting marshmallows.

Brandywine Zoo, Wilmington

Oct. 19 & 20 Get your brood’s costumes ready for the non-eerie Boo at the Zoo, where kids see animals up-close as they trick-or-treat through the park.

Milburn Orchards, Elkton, MD

Sat. & Sun. through Oct. On harvest weekends themed to pumpkins, family fun, autumn colors and trick-or-treat, enjoy an obstacle bounce, straw jump and maze, giant spider web, rope maze family challenge, tractor-tire tower and the non-scary Boo Barn.

Mr. Pepper’s Pumpkin Patch, Laurel

Through Oct. Daily activities include pick-your-own pumpkins, a 2-acre corn maze and seasonal goodies. Return Sat. & Sun. for hayrides through the fields.

OCTOBER 2018

Fort Delaware State Park, Delaware City

Fri. & Sat. through Oct. The Diamond State Ghost Investigators host Paranormal Adventures, a threehour recreational investigation that leads visitors to the park’s creepiest spots, deemed “haunted” by Syfy’s Ghost Hunters.

Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington

Sat. & Sun. Oct. 13-28 Hop on a hayride through the Powder Yard to view foliage, then make fallthemed crafts, watch a gunpowder explosion and see working 19th-century machines in action.

Linvilla Orchards, Media, PA

Through Nov. 4 Carve out time to explore Pumpkinland, complete with 100 tons of pumpkins and towering scarecrows that highlight the legends and lore of the harvest season.

After, hitch a hayride to the witch’s house for scary stories, jokes and treats.

Hersheypark, Hershey, PA

Fri.-Sun., Oct. 19-Nov. 4 Chocolate World’s the starting point for the Trick-or-Treat Adventure, which brings families to 13 stops around the park. After, embark on a flashlight tour of ZooAmerica and experience lights-out rollercoaster rides.

Philadelphia Zoo, Phila.

Sat. & Sun., Oct. 13-28 Creepy-crawly fun abounds during Boo at the Zoo, including a walk through the non-scary Extinction Graveyard, photo opportunities at the giant pumpkin wall and a hay-bale maze.

MetroKids.com 11

Family Fun

School Open House Dates Onsite visits provide an opportunity to experience a school’s culture to determine the best fit for your child. Call ahead or register online before you go so the schools know to expect you.

Beware of Scares Not for the faint of heart, these venues prey on your fears with special effects, menacing characters and jump-worthy surprises guaranteed to terrify all who dare to enter.

At Middletown’s Frightland (Fri.Sun. through Nov. 3), open-air scares abound in the haunted hayride, attic and invasion attractions. A good old-fashioned carnival is available for those who’d rather pass on the petrifying stuff.

A haunted house and cornfield are overrun with zombies at Laurel’s Slaughterhouse Farm (Fri. & Sat. through Oct.).

Hockessin Montessori, The - Hockessin

302-304-1240 • thehms.org Open House every Thursday at 9am See our ad on p. 18

Kids younger than 7 aren’t permitted to enter Terror Behind the Walls (select dates through Nov. 10) at Philly’s Eastern State Penitentiary.

The famous prison’s dark history, paired with spooks that lurk at every corner, guarantee a bone-chilling experience.

Red Lion Christian Academy - Bear

302-834-2526 • reachschools.online Oct. 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st See our ad on p. 9

Brace yourself for Dorney Park’s Halloween Haunt (Fri. & Sat. through Oct.) in Allentown, PA, featuring mazes, scare zones, themed rides and prowling monsters that are so frightening, kids 13 and younger are advised to steer clear.

Tatnall School - Wilmington

302-998-2292 • tatnall.org Nov. 9th See our ad on p. 9

Wilmington Montessori School - Wilmington

302-475-0555 • wmsde.org Oct. 11th & Nov. 3rd See our ad on back cover

Log on to MetroKids.com/ familyfun for more information, including address, phone number, time & website.

.com

NCCL School - Newark

302-368-7772 • ncclschool.com Nov. 4th & 6th See our ad inside back cover

NEW CASTLE COUNTY

EVERY WEEK IS FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

LOOK. LISTEN. LEARN. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere

.

TM

Find tools to keep your

family safe from home fires at firepreventionweek.org

Discover fun activities and free

apps for kids at sparky.org

COUNTY EXECUTIVE MATTHEW MEYER DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK™

DIVISION OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES

12 MetroKids.com

OCTOBER 2018 FPW 2018 PMA Ad_1/4 page.indd 1

9/7/18 3:59 PM

Family Fun

Join a parade at the Sea Witch Festival in Rehoboth and Dewey Beaches, Oct. 26-28.

DAY-BY-DAY CALENDAR Special needs event Truck and Tractor Day

6 Saturday

Seasonal event

$ = $1-$5; $$ = $6-$10; $$$ = $11-$19; $$$$ = $20 & up

2 Tuesday

WOW! Wee Ones at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, Wilmington. Tots engage in active learning via music, movement and object exploration. $

4 Thursday

The Glow: A Jack-o-Lantern Experience at West Fairmount Park, Phila. See “Fan of,” p. 14. $$$$

3 Wednesday

Squeaky Wheels at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, Wilmington. Parents and toddlers in strollers explore the garden and galleries. $ Witches & Wizards Weekend

Oct. 19 & 20

Wee Have Fun Club at Bellevue Arts Center, Wilmington. Nature walks, stories and art projects are all part of the fun. $

OCTOBER 2018

Fall Family Weekend at Morris Arboretum, Phila. Make scarecrows, paint pumpkins and sample different varieties of apples. $$$ Fall Harvest Festival at Newlin Grist Mill, Glen Mills, PA. Features colonial trade demos, pumpkin painting, hayrides, dancing and live music. FREE From Here to There at the Delaware Museum of Natural History, Wilmington. Kick off the new exhibit by exploring types of transportation and movement. Food trucks and animal presentations are also on tap. $$

5 Friday

Harvest Moon Festival at Coverdale Farm Preserve, Greenville. Activities include artisan demos, kids’ crafts, farm-animal presentations, a corn maze, hayrides and food. $$

Boo at the Zoo at 3 Palms Zoo and Education Center, Clayton. $

27 Saturday

Chestertown Harry Potter Festival, Chestertown, MD. Multiple venues host activities that appeal to muggles of all ages, which in the past have included a Potter in the Park festival, charms classes, movie screenings, a Hogwarts experience for kids and a costume contest. Cost varies

4 Thursday

Paranormal Cirque at Christiana Mall, Newark. While this date’s show is geared toward adults, performances from Oct. 5-7 are kid-friendly. $$$

Goodies and Goblins

6 Saturday

Boo at the Zoo at 3 Palms Zoo and Education Center, Clayton. $

Glory of Stories: Julián is a Mermaid at the Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington. $ Paranormal Cirque at Christiana Mall, Newark. See Oct. 4. $$$

Midtown Village Fall Festival at 13th & Chestnut Sts., Phila. Family-friendly fun includes entertainment, merchant and vendor displays, crafters and kids’ activities. FREE

MetroKids.com 13

Autumn Hayride at Brandywine Creek State Park, Wilmington.

Cap off the fun with a campfire. $$ Boo at the Zoo at 3 Palms Zoo and Education Center, Clayton. $ Boo at the Zoo at the Philadelphia Zoo, Phila. $$$$ Ghosts in the Graveyard at Old Swedes Church, Wilmington.

Try to solve the mystery of the late-night bell ringing, a local legend told throughout the 19th century. $$ Zookeeping 101 at the Brandywine Zoo, Wilmington. $$

14 Sunday

Boo at the Zoo at the Philadelphia Zoo, Phila. $$$$

FAN OF . . .

JACK-O-LANTERNS

From cheery to chilling, pumpkins can be dressed up and decked out in an endless number of ways. The Glow: A Jack-o-Lantern Experience (Oct. 4-28) at Philly’s West Fairmount Park gives visitors plenty of ideas: The Halloween wonderland features more than 3,000 hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins transformed into colorful landscapes, iconic figures and intricate structures. Expert carvers will be on-site to share tips and take requests.

Paranormal Cirque at Christiana Mall, Newark. See Oct. 4. $$$ Truck and Tractor Day at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, Wilmington. View dozens of tractors, meet firefighters, put out a “fire” with a pumper truck and try on a safety harness and climb a tree. $$$$

7 Sunday

Fall Family Weekend at Morris Arboretum, Phila. See Oct. 6. $$$ First Sunday Family Day: Drum Like a Lady at the Barnes Foundation, Phila. Try your hand at creative projects and percussion activities, including a performance by a local women’s drumming collective. FREE Old City Fest at 3rd & Arch Sts., Phila. Showcases work from local artists, designers, restaurants, theaters and galleries. FREE Paranormal Cirque at Christiana Mall, Newark. See Oct. 4. $$$ Steamin' Day at the Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights Preserve, Yorklyn. Get a hands-on look at the tools used to work on vehicles and railroads. $$$

12 Friday

Apple Scrapple Festival on Main Street. Bridgeville.

Celebrate the two festival namesakes with a Scrapple Sling, Ladies’ Skillet Toss, a 5K, the Little Miss Apple Scrapple contest, pony rides and games. $$ Boo at the Zoo at 3 Palms Zoo and Education Center, Clayton. $ Glory of Stories: Mouse Pain at the Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington.. $$ The Science of Sorcery at the Delaware Museum of Natural History, Mlmington. Discover the science behind potions, meet resident animals and join herbology workshops. $$

13 Saturday

Apple Scrapple Festival on Main Street. Bridgeville. See Oct. 12. $$

14 MetroKids.com

National Dog Show Charity Walk at Wilson Farm Park, Wayne, PA. Enjoy dog demos and activities, celeb sightings and prizes. $$$$

16 Tuesday

Community Night at the Franklin Institute, Phila. FREE

18 Thursday

The Great Pumpkin Carve at the Chadds Ford Historical Society, Chadds Ford, PA. Enjoy hayrides, pumpkin painting and entertainment while viewing 70 lit pumpkins carved by local artists. $$$ Mother of All Baby Showers at the Please Touch Museum, Phila.

This parents-only event features exclusive deals on products and services, spa treatments, info sessions and giveaways. $$$$

19 Friday

Autumn Hayride at Brandywine Creek State Park, Wilmington.

See Oct. 13. $$ Boo at the Zoo at 3 Palms Zoo and Education Center, Clayton. $ Glory of Stories: Bad Case of Stripes at the Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington. $ The Great Pumpkin Carve at the Chadds Ford Historical Society, Chadds Ford, PA. See Oct. 18. $$$ Spooky Overnight at the Philadelphia Zoo, Phila. Don your costume to meet nocturnal animals and make crafts. $$$$ Witches and Wizards Weekend in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood, Phila. Watch a Quidditch tournament, navigate a straw maze, take hayrides and make a trick-or-treat tote. FREE

20 Saturday

Access to Science at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila.

Kids on the autism spectrum and their families experience the museum before it opens to the public. $$$ Autumn Hayride at Brandywine Creek State Park, Wilmington. See Oct. 13. $$ Boo at the Zoo at 3 Palms Zoo and Education Center, Clayton. $ Boo at the Zoo at the Brandywine Zoo, Wilmington. $ Boo at the Zoo at the Philadelphia Zoo, Phila. $$$$ The Great Pumpkin Carve at the Chadds Ford Historical Society, Chadds Ford, PA. See Oct. 18. $$$ International Archaeology Day at the Penn Museum, Phila.

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the venue’s excavation sites and meet experts working around the globe. $$$ PAWS for People Wag 'n Walk and 5K Run at Glasgow Park, Newark. See “Do Good, Have Fun,” p. 15. $$$$

OCTOBER 2018

Family Fun South Street PumpkinFest at Headhouse Square, Phila. Family activities include a straw-bale maze, seasonal food, hayride, face painting and storefront trickor-treating. FREE

28 Sunday

Boo at the Zoo at the Philadelphia Zoo, Phila. $$$$ Children’s Fantasy Trail at Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes. See Oct. 26. $$ Day of the Dead Celebration at the Penn Museum, Phila. See “Culture Club,” below. $$$

DO GOOD, HAVE FUN

Join PAWS for People during its annual Wag ‘n Walk and 5K Run in Newark’s Glasgow Park, Oct. 20. You’ll help raise funds to facilitate therapy animal visits to those in need, all while you enjoy entertainment, food, vendors and dog-approved games and contests.

Dress up to match this year’s magic theme to be entered to win a prize.

Witches and Wizards Weekend in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood, Phila. See Oct. 20. FREE

21 Sunday

Autumn Hayride at Brandywine Creek State Park, Wilmington. See Oct. 13. $$ Boo at the Zoo at the Philadelphia Zoo, Phila. $$$$ Penny the Piano Foster Community Day at the Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington.

Live music and storytelling celebrate the launch of Foster the Arts, a nonprofit that connects foster children to arts and cultural opportunities. FREE

26 Friday

Autumn Hayride at Brandywine Creek State Park, Wilmington. See Oct. 13. $$ Boo at the Zoo at 3 Palms Zoo and Education Center, Clayton. $ Children’s Fantasy Trail at Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes. Kids trick-or-treat alongside favorite storybook characters. $$ Glory of Stories: Life Doesn’t Frighten Me at the Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington. $ Great Delaware Pumpkin Carve Festival at the Delaware State Fairgrounds, Harrington. In addition to the all-ages carving competition, enjoy haunted barns, costume contests, trick-ortreat, hayrides, spooky bumper cars and a jack-o-lantern illumination. $$$ Sea Witch Festival in Rehoboth and Dewey Beaches. Expect a mix of spooky and silly fun, including a boardwalk Tyke

OCTOBER 2018

Bike Race, broom-tossing contest, Sea Witch Hunt, costume parades, mini-train and pony rides and trick-or-treat. FREE

Día de los Muertos Family Event at the Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington.

See “Culture Club,” below. FREE Fall Family Day at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Phila. Festivities include a pumpkin patch, parade and picnic. $

Spooky Overnight at the Philadelphia Zoo, Phila. See Oct. 19. $$$$

Halloween Express at Wilmington & Western Railroad, Wilmington. Families share the round-trip ride with a friendly witch. Wear a costume to receive discounted admission. $$$$

27 Saturday

Philadelphia Shell Show at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila. See Oct. 27. $$$

Autumn Hayride at Brandywine Creek State Park, Wilmington. See Oct. 13. $$ Children’s Fantasy Trail at Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes. See Oct. 26. $$ Community Overnight: Halloween Edition at the Delaware Museum of Natural History, Wilmington. Come in costume to enjoy animal encounters, “hidden” experiments and specimens, and a night hike and campfire. $$$$

Sea Witch Festival in Rehoboth and Dewey Beaches. See Oct. 26. FREE Steamin’ Halloween at the Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights Preserve, Yorklyn. Wear your costume for spooky activities and treats. $$$

Goodies and Goblins at the Delaware Agricultural Museum, Dover. Show off your ghoulish getup for trick-or-treating and a costume contest. $ Great Delaware Pumpkin Carve Festival at the Delaware State Fairgrounds, Harrington. See Oct. 26. $$$ Halloween Spooktacular at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, Wilmington. Sing along to performances of seasonal tunes from The Nightmare Before Christmas and Harry Potter. $ Philadelphia Shell Show at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila. Features competitive displays by collectors, artists and amateur scientists and an international market with jewelry, shells and books. $$$ Sea Witch Festival in Rehoboth and Dewey Beaches. See Oct. 26. FREE

CULTURE CLUB

Costumes at the ready! On Oct 28, two venues play host to Day of the Dead festivities. The Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington celebrates the Mexican holiday with art activities, folkloric performances and a traditional altar. Over at Philly’s Penn Museum, you’ll find music, dance, storytelling and arts & crafts.

Log on to MetroKids.com/ familyfun for more information, including address, phone number, time & website.

MetroKids.com 15

at the

Friday & Saturday,

October 19 & 20 5-7pm Trick-or-Treat at the Zoo RAIN DATE: SUNDAY, OCT. 21, 5-7PM

DZS Members • Free Non-Members • $5/person Advanced Tickets Online 302.571.7747 OPEN DAILY 10-4 BRANDYWINE PARK, WILMINGTON, DE

BRANDYWINEZOO.ORG/BOOATTHEZOO

THE BRANDYWINE ZOO IS MANAGED BY THE DELAWARE DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE DELAWARE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Win It!

COSTUME COMPLEMENTS Any costume looks cooler with roller skates — namely, a pair of wheels from Circle Society. These skates are adjustable (sizes 12-3; 3-7) and styled in cotton-candy pink and blue (ages 5-14; $49.99).

Perfect for Potterheads, add a pinch of magic to your child’s Halloween getup with Harry Potter Wizard-Training Wands belonging to Potter, Dumbledore and Voldemort. Each wand features 11 kid-appropriate spells with sound effects (Jakks Pacific; $24.99, each).

SCARY

SCORE

Do you love the thrill of a good scare? Enter to win four silver passes to Eastern State Penitentiary’s infamous Terror Behind the Walls haunt in Philly. You’ll get admission to all six terrifying attractions and a quick pass to skip the line. Note: Kids younger than 7 are not permitted ($45, each).

Log on to MetroKids.com/winit and enter to win your favorite prize, beginning Oct. 1. Prizes marked with an asterisk (*) must be picked up at the MetroKids office in Center City. Other prizes will be mailed by the provider to the address given on the entry form.

16 MetroKids.com

OCTOBER 2018

Child Care & Early Education Directory FY: Full Year AY: Academic Year SP: Summer Program MP: Meals Provided BS: Before School

AS: After School DA: Diapers Accepted TP: Transportation Provided SN: Special Needs DHS*: Licensed: Dept. of Health & Human Services

DE: Licensed: Dept. of Education DYF: Licensed: Dept. of Youth & Family Serv.

DE ★: Delaware Stars Participant NAEYC: Accredited by National Association of Education of Young Children

MULTIPLE SITES

MIDDLETOWN, NEW CASTLE COUNTY

A.S. ACADEMY OF LEARNING 10 Songsmith Drive, Newark • 302-834-5620 891 Pulaski Highway, Bear • 302-276-0868 asacademyoflearning.com • Ages: 6 wks.-12 yrs. • Hours: 6am-6pm Every child is unique, and we believe that success and growth come from encouragement and praise. Breakfast & Pm snack provided. All activities included. POC Plus Accepted & Sibling Discount. Delaware Stars 5. DE, DYF, DE ★ KIDZ, INK ACADEMY OF EARLY ACADEMICS 1 Songsmith Dr., Bear, DE • 302-838-1500 1703 Porter Rd., Bear, DE • 302-838-5400 345 School Bell Rd., Bear, DE • 302-327-0686 645 W. North St., Dover, DE • 302-730-4730 616 W. Glenwood Ave., Smyrna, DE • 302-653-4034 KidzEarlyLearning.com • Ages: 6 wks.-11 yrs. • Hours: 6am-6:30pm Our curriculum is designed to stimulate your child’s mind, strengthen their bodies, and nurture their hearts. National curriculum: core knowledge. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack.

Spanish degreed and experienced teachers, security cameras monitor every room. FY, SP, MP, BS, AS, TP, DE, DYF, DA, DE ★ LITTLE STARS INC. 5702 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington, DE • 302-995-2920 947 Old Harmony Rd., Newark, DE • 302-737-9759 littlestarsinc.com • Ages: 6 wks.-12 yrs. • Hours: 6:30am-6pm Come Join the Fun here at Little Stars. Two locations serving children 6 wks. to 12 yrs. Full day.

Family-owned & operated. Warm, qualified staff teaches basic education concepts. Pre-school for ages 3 & 4. First aid & CPR. Breakfast, lunch & snack. FY, AY, SP, MP, BS, AS, DA, SN, DYF YMCA OF DELAWARE 100 W. 10th St., Ste. 1100, Wilmington, DE 302-221-9622 • www.ymcade.org • Ages: 6 wks.-13 yrs.

Largest children’s programming provider in the state. We offer full-day care, pre-school and before- and after-school care. Call the branch nearest you for specific details: Bear-Glasgow, 302-836-9622, BS, AS, SP, DE ★ Brandywine, 302-478-9622, half-day preschool, BS, AS, SP, DE ★ Central, 302-254-9622, full-day preschool, BS, AS, SP, DE ★ Sussex, 302-296-9622, half-day preschool, extended care, BS, AS, SP, DE ★ Dover, 302-346-9622, before and after care, BS, AS, SP, DE ★ Walnut St., 302-472-9622, full-day preschool, BS, AS, SP, DE ★ Western, 302-453-0123, full-day preschool, before and after care, BS, AS, SP, DE ★

BEAR, NEW CASTLE COUNTY GREAT NEW BEGINNINGS OF ST. ANDREWS Independently Owned & Operated 14 St. Andrews Rd., Bear, DE • 302-838-1000 GNBKids.com • Ages: 8 wks.-School Age • Hours: 6:30am-6pm Serving children 8 weeks through 12 years old. Family-owned and operated since 1999. Staff certified through Dept. of Education. Internet viewing available. Nutritional breakfast, snack and lunch program provided daily. Delaware STARS level 5. Panic Button Security System. FY, AY, SP, MP, BS, AS, DA, DYF, SN, DE, DE ★, NAEYC

HOCKESSIN, NEW CASTLE COUNTY CACC MONTESSORI SCHOOL 1313 Little Baltimore Rd., Hockessin, DE 19707 302-239-2917 • www.caccmont.org • Ages: 3 mos. to K • Hours: 7am-6pm Our Montessori child-directed program provides a low student/teacher ratio and individualized instruction. Our Enrichments include Library, Art, Gym (Zumba & Yoga), Music, Technology, Gardening and Spanish & Chinese instruction. AY, SP, BS/AS, DA, DYF, AMS THE HOCKESSIN MONTESSORI SCHOOL 1000 Old Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707 302-234-1240 • www.TheHMS.org • Ages: 1 yr.-13 yrs. • Hours: 8am-3pm The school program follows the Montessori Method and emphasizes mathematics, language, humanities, arts and sciences while stressing life skills. All levels participate in enrichment subjects including STEM, art, library, computers, Spanish, music and physical education, which are developmentally appropriate for the age and ability. AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, PAIS, AMS, MSA

.com

OCTOBER 2018

PAIS: Accredited by PA Assoc. of Independent Schools MSCES: Accredited by Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools AMS: Accredited by American Montessori Society MSA: Middle States Association of Schools & Colleges

ST. ANNE’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL — EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM 211 Silver Lake Road, Middletown, DE 19709 • 302-378-3179 ext.1 • www.StAnnesDE.org Ages: 3 yrs.-Grade 8 • Hours: 8am-3:15pm; Extended Care: 7am-6pm From Preschool through 8th grade our programs lay the foundation for intellectual growth, moral judgment, leadership, and confidence. Our passionate faculty embraces a progressive child-centered teaching philosophy. Art, music, STEM, Spanish, library, religion, outdoor play.

Member of the National Association of Independent Schools and the National Association of Episcopal Schools. AY, SP, BS/AS, TP, MSA

NEW CASTLE, NEW CASTLE COUNTY HELPING HANDS FAMILY CHILDCARE 4 Capo Ln., New Castle, DE 19720 302-836-4748 • www.HelpingHandsFamilyChildcare.com • Ages: 6 wks.-5 yrs.

Hours: 7am-5:30pm Delaware 4 Stars facility, a warm hearted Christian environment where “Learning Begins At the Door” and PLAY is our main focus. Children participate in daily sing-a -longs, playing musical instruments, dramatic play, arts and crafts, designed for their age and abilities. POC Accepted. FY, AY, SP, MP, BS, AS, SN, DE ★

NEWARK, NEW CASTLE COUNTY EARLY LEARNING CENTER AT UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE, THE 489 Wyoming Rd. Newark, DE 302-831-6205 • www.elc.udel.edu • Ages: 6 wks.-5 yrs. – Hours: 7am-6pm The UD Early Learning Centers provide high quality care and education programs for children and their families by establishing a model for exceptional practices for future early educators.

Because the ELC is associated with the University of Delaware, children and their families benefit from clinical placements and current research on best practices in early childhood. SP, MP, BS, AS, DA, DYF, NAEYC EBENEZER PRESCHOOL 525 Polly Drummond Hill Rd., Newark, DE 19711 302-731-3030 • www.ebenezerumcpreschool.org • Ages: 2-4 yrs. • Hours: 9am-12pm Since 1965 we have been providing children with a loving environment which guides their physical, emotional , spiritual and social development. We prepare the child for further learning experiences and for entrance into kindergarten. We welcome children of all faiths while teaching Christ-like ideals. AY, SP, MP, DA, SN, DYF EDU-CARE PRESCHOOL & DAYCARE 345 Polly Drummond Hill Rd., Newark, DE 19711 302-453-7326 • www.educarepreschool.com • Ages: 6 wks.-12 yrs.

Hours: 6:30am-6pm Edu-Care provides both a nurturing and academic atmosphere. We offer a variety of scheduling options. Feel free to stop in at any time for a tour or contact us for more information. FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, DHS*, DE, DE ★ NEWARK DAY NURSERY AND CHILDREN’S CENTER 921 Barksdale Rd., Newark, DE 302-731-4925 • Ages: 6 wks.-14 yrs. • Hours: 6:45am-6pm NAEYC Accredited & DE Stars Level 5. Dedicated to educating, enriching and inspiring children. Highly trained, professional, and experienced teachers, providing a quality program in a warm, family-friendly environment. Developmentally appropriate activities, computers, and separate toddler, preschool and school-age playgrounds provided. POC Accepted. Offers Financial aid in the form of a sliding fee scale. FY, SP, MP, BS, AS, DA, DYF, NAEYC, DE ★ ONE STEP AHEAD CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL, INC. 432 Salem Church Rd., Newark, DE 302-292-1162 • Ages: 1 yr.-12 yrs. • Hours: 7am-6pm Devoted, skilled staff assist your child with age-appropriate weekly themed curriculum to enhance their self-esteem and love of learning. All staff CPR and First Aid certified. All teachers are Board of Education certified. Spacious indoor and outdoor play areas.

Secured premises. All classrooms video monitored. Breakfast, lunch and snacks. Full-time and part-time options. Before- and after-school programs serving Thurgood Marshall and McVey School. Sibling discount. Summer camp with weekly field trips. FY, AY, SP, BA, AS, DA, DHS*

NORTH WILMINGTON, NEW CASTLE COUNTY SAINT EDMOND’S ACADEMY 2120 Veale Rd., Wilmington, DE 302-475-5370 • Stedmondsacademy.org Ages: Pre-K (age 4) through Grade 8 (age 14) Hours: 7:40am (with Before Care Avail. at 7am)-2:45pm (w/ After Care Avail. until 6pm) The Academy educates boys’ hearts and minds in the Holy Cross tradition. Core values of responsibility, independence, positive self-image, integrity and community are integrated with an innovative curriculum. SEA is a special place for young learners to grow. AY, BS, AS, MP (lunch)

MetroKids.com 17

Child Care & Early Education Directory PIKE CREEK, NEW CASTLE COUNTY

WILMINGTON, NEW CASTLE COUNTY (continued)

INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL, THE 1300 Paper Mill Rd. Newark, DE 302-239-0332 • TheIndependenceSchool.org • Ages: 3 yrs.-K – Hours: 7am-6pm Early Childhood is the first step of the exceptional Independence School Education. Children engage in developmentally appropriate learning experiences which contribute to their social, emotional and intellectual development. All faculty hold bachelor’s degrees in education with specific expertise in early childhood education. Full-time nurse on campus. AY, SP, BS, AS, DE, MSCES

TOWER HILL SCHOOL 2813 W. 17th Street, Wilmington, DE 19806 302-575-0550 • www.towerhill.org • Ages: Age 3-Grade 12 • Hours: 8am -2:40 pm Tower Hill’s preschool provides young learners with a quality education in a warm and supportive environment. Understanding that children gain knowledge through play, nurturing teachers emphasize engaging activities that allow students to explore, experiment and discover the world around them. AY, SP, MP, BS/AS, MSCES

WILMINGTON, NEW CASTLE COUNTY CONCORD PRESCHOOL AND CHILDCARE 1800 Fairfax Blvd., Wilmington, DE 302-654-9629 • www.concordpreschoolandchildcare.com Ages: 1 yr.- 9yrs. • Hours: 7:15am-5:45pm Our small class sizes enable valuable one-on-one instruction. Caring teachers and rich curriculum including Computer Tots, Spanish, Music and Gym. Serving ages 1 year through Kindergarten. Summer to age 9. FT, PT, Extended, 7:15am-5:45pm. Founded in 1956. Financial aid, Parent volunteer opportunities available. FY, SP, BS, AS, DA, DHS* SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA GRADE SCHOOL 1715 W. Ninth St. Wilmington DE 302-421-3743 • www.school.stanthonynet.org • Ages: PreK-8th grade Hours: 7:30am-3pm Preschool 3 and 4 year olds through Eighth Grade (faith-based curriculum). Middle States Accredited. Before care and after care provided. Full-service cafeteria. State of the Art Science and Computer Labs. AY, MP, BS, AS ST. DAVID’S EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL 2320 Grubb Rd., Wilmington, DE 19810 302-475-3747 • www.stdavidsdayschoolde.org • stdavidskidsde@outlook.com Ages: 2,3, & 4 (must have reached age by August 31 if starting school in September) Hours: Preschool 9-12; Full day 7:30 – 5:45; 2, 3 or 5 day options A St. David’s Episcopal Church outreach, conveniently located in Brandywine Hundred. Developmental Movement class daily, developmentally appropriate curriculum. 2 playgrounds, weekly chapel services. Staff certified CPR & First Aid. Some financial aid . Preschool 9am-12pm; Full day 7:30-5:45; 2, 3 or 5 day options. POC and credit cards accepted. Parent volunteer opportunitites and financial aid available. FY, AY, SP, BS/AS, DA, TP, SN, DHS*, DYF, NAEYC, PAIS, MSCES, AMS ST. MICHAEL’S SCHOOL AND NURSERY 700 N. Walnut St., Wilmington, DE 302-656-3389 • www.stmichaelsde.org • Ages: 8wks-PreSchool • Hours: 7am -5:30 pm A 5-Star rated early education center with a recently expanded Infant and Toddler Program convenient to all downtown Wilmington employers. High quality, nurturing environment that prepares children to learn and succeed in school. Large facility with 16 classrooms, gross motor play rooms, dining room, library and spacious, age-appropriate outdoor play areas. Fresh, nutritious meals prepared daily. Our “whole child” approach supports children’s social-emotional, physical, language and cognitive needs. St. Michael’s values diversity, qualified faculty and family involvement. Vouchers accepted. FY, MP, DA, DHS, DE, DYF, DE ★

URSULINE ACADEMY 1106 Pennsylvania Ave., Wilmington, DE 302-658-7158 • Ursuline.org • Ages 3-18 • Hours: 8am-2:45pm Our Early Childhood Programs are unique from any other school by offering two paths to First Grade: Pre-Kindergarten/ Kindergarten & Montessori. Children develop social consciousness by responding to personal, community, & global needs, and by becoming true models of Serviam through Christian love. Full & Half Day/Week Options. AY, SP, BS, AS, DAIS, ADVIS, NAIS WILMINGTON FRIENDS SCHOOL PRESCHOOL 101 School Road, Wilmington, DE 302-576-2930 • Ages: 2 yrs.-4 yrs. • Hours: 7:30am-6pm The Wilmington Friends Reggio Emilia inspired preschool offers experiences to stimulate intellectual, emotional and social development. The program is guided, in the Quaker tradition, by values of respect for each individual and responsibility as members of a community. AY, FY, AS, BS, SP, MSCES WILMINGTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL 1400 Harvey Rd., Wilmington, DE 302-475-0555 • wmsde.org • admissions@wmsde.org Ages: 12 mos.-12 yrs. • Hours: 7am-6pm Students follow their passions, discover initiative from within and take ownership of their learning; a place that embraces the power of technology for teaching, exploring, engaging and collaborating. With a diverse student body and a challenging curriculum that promotes mutual respect and a global perspective, WMS graduates are prepared to move fearlessly into the world. FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, SN, DYF, NAEYC, DE ★, AMS

What are you looking for?

DAYCARE MetroKids.com/Childcare

SCOVER Is Your School DISCOVER DISCOVER DISCOVER DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE THE DIFFERENCE

GREAT? Maybe, but it doesn’t hurt to look...

DISCOVER

Our area offers some of the finest schools in the country. Whether you are looking for your first PreK program, a high school, religious, independent or th Open Open House Every Every Thursday Thursday at 9am at 9am at any OpenHouse House Every Thursday at 9am Open House Every Thursday 9am school in Visit website Visit website to register to register between, we have a 12 months 12 mos. 12 mos. th comprehensive list.

use Every Thursday at 9am

12 months through 8 grade

DOWNLOAD

Guide to Schools COMPARE

School Data SEARCH

Open House Every Thursday at 9am

through through W.THEHMS.ORG 8th grade8th grade WWW.THEHMS.ORG through 8 grade HO

HO

by grade, type or city ATTEND

OPEN HOUSE DATES

12 months WWW.THEHMS.ORG MetroKids.com/Education through 8th grade WWW.THEHMS.ORG WWW.THEHMS.ORG

18 MetroKids.com

OCTOBER 2018

At NCCL, our teachers focus on process, At NCCL, not product. our teachers focus on process, Compare NCCL to not product. traditional schools at

ncclschool.com/ progressive-education Compare NCCL to traditional schools at ncclschool.com/progressive-education

Open Houses:

Open Houses: Nov. 4, 2-4 p.m.

Nov. 6, 12, 9-11 2-4 a.m. & Nov. 14, 9-11 Nov.

Progressive Education for K-8

Progressive for K-8 401 Phillips AveEducation Newark (302) 368-7772 (302) 368-7772 ncclschool.com

Your Future Begins Here

How to turn a learner into a

Leader...

Encourage Curiosity.

Inspire Imagination.

Nurture Creativity.

Foster Independence.

Begin NOW.

Attend Our Elementary/Middle School Open House Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 10 a.m.

302-475-0555

1400 Harvey Road, Wilmington, DE 19810

www.wmsde.org admissions@wmsde.org