Islander’s Kids Learning Daycare Center

 

 

 

 

 

Ella Fridman: What is the difference between "Russian" day care center "Islander’s Kids" and any other similar center on the Island?

 


 

A better question for Islander’s Kids Learning Day Care would be... What is the difference between Islander’s Kids Learning Day Care and other Daycares?

 

Islander’s Kids Learning Daycare Center is located on 219 Jefferson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10306 (718) 979-5331.  Our Daycare is a safe, multi-cultural and warm environment where children love to come and parents know that their children would be protected and safe. It is their home away from home.

 

Islander’s offers a structured program that teaches our children knowledge and responsibility.  Our classes are broken up into the age group that best fits your child so they can absorb the proper knowledge and social skills for their age. Our programs are run by highly experienced teachers and staff who treat their children like their own.  We provide healthy, nutritious, home cooked meals throughout the day.  Our doors are open to everyone in our community. We offer many wonderful programs; such as daycare, afterschool, summer camp, art, piano, guitar, music, vocal, modern dance & ballet…

 

Our children start at 2 years of age and it lets them grow with us until the age of 6 years old.  Once they leave our “home” they always come back to us for our after school program and summer camp. They feel comfortable and relaxed coming to an environment that they know and love. Best of all, our parents don’t have the stress of worrying about their kids because they know their children are in the best of hands.

 

Joan Badali

 


 

What is your educational background?

 

I am a graduate of St. John’s University and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. I continued my education at Wagner College and received a Master Of Science Degree in Elementary Education specializing in Children’s Literature.

 

I am licensed by the City and State of New York and have many years of experience of teaching in both private and city schools.

 

Tell us about the Universal Pre-K Program.

 

The focus for the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program is on Literacy and Mathematics. This program is developmentally appropriate, center based with activities and experiences that are individually geared towards each child’s abilities and needs. The curriculum encourages each child to develop not only intellectually, but emotionally and socially as well. Pre-reading and Literacy skills are taught throughout the day as Center Time becomes a large part of this program. Some of the centers that are part of UPK are: Library, Math and Manipulatives, Art, Science, Dramatic Play, Blocks, Sand and Water. When children are involved in learning centers, they are being provided the opportunity to experiment, explore, imagine, learn to share and get along with their peers. They are also given the opportunity to become independent and to make their own choices. Circle time and story time are large group activities where the children gather as an entire group. In small group activities, I work with children according to their specific needs and abilities.

 

The diverse community of children at Islander’s Kids gives everyone an opportunity to learn and share the Polish, Italian, African American, Russian, Indian, Hispanic, Chinese, Yugoslavian, Albanian, Egyptian and American cultures and traditions.

 

My years at Islander’s Kids have been both rewarding and successful. I have the pleasure of working with a professional staff, cooperating parents and a delightful group of children.

 

Kelly Silletto: How long do you work for “Islander’s Kids”?  Do you like your job? Why?

 


 

I have worked for Islander's Kids Learning Day Care Center since March 2006.  I met Ella Fridman (Director) and fell in love with the school, students and employees.  I automatically felt a warm, homey vibe from everyone.  Before applying for a teachers position with islander's kids, I visited a  couple of other day cares but I did not feel comfortable in them.

 

I love my job as a teacher at Islander's Kids. I started out teaching kindergarten, the following September I taught our "Caterpillars" - 3year old class for one year, then returned back to Kindergarten and I have been there ever since. My students are my family. I treat my students as my babies. I love to goof around and just have fun with them.  I think learning should be fun. The kids feel more comfortable to learn when they have a relaxed setting.   I tried to make all of my kids feel comfortable enough to have their own opinions and I teach them that it is important to be their own person.

I have many students from the previous years of teaching that I still talk to.  I write letters to see how they are doing and they always love receiving their own mail as well as I love hearing from them.  It is amazing how fast children grow. I am very pleased with how all of my students are maturing and growing into their own individual.

 I also work for SICC.  I am the after school and summer camp manager. I have been working with SICC since 2008. I enjoy seeing all of my previous students in after school. They love being about to come back to a place where they feel comfortable.

SICC provides transportation from their school to our center. When the children arrive from school, the know that they are getting a hot home cooked meal and homework help. The learn good eating habits, social skills and study habits from their peers as well as my self and my assistant.

The children greatly enjoy our Summer camp. We have fun, education trips and projects that we do throughout the summer. They also love been able to have a say on the activities that we do.  I think it is important that the kids feel important and build their confidence. 

 

Dana Occhipinti: Why did you become a teacher in day care center for kids?

 


 

I became a teacher's assistant at Islander's Kids because I love children.  I have two of my own little girls at home. I know what it is like to be a working parent and how important it is to trust that as a parent you are putting your kids into a safe, happy and healthy environment.   I like to be able to teach the children the importance of growing into their own person. I try to give them confidence, stability and a safe, warm environment to come to every day. I am with these children for 12 hours a day. It is extremely important that everyone not only has to come here because parents have to work, but that they want to come here.  By the end of the day, my students don't want to leave.

 

I also assist Miss. Kelly with our after school and summer camp program. They children feel comfortable knowing that Miss Kelly and I are with them through the year.

 

Arkadiy Fridman

 


 

 I came up with an idea for Staten Island Community Center to organize a multi-cultural festival  in cooperation with other organizations on Midland Beach and South  Beach . I was very successful and decided to continue with the festivals. By doing this, SICC brought attention to the achievements and problems of new citizens to elected officials and main stream media like NY Times, Staten Island Advance and channel TV-1.  

 

It has been a great achievement brining our communities together as one and getting Staten Island to see that the Russian community is open minded and enjoy working with others.