IN THE MARKETPLACE By Diane Haase, photos by Dan Epstein
RAINBOW ACADEMY: Turning Parents’ Biggest Concern into Their Greatest Comfort
S
ue and Michael Drake were so pleased with their son’s experience at Rainbow Academy’s child care center in Whippany, they decided to open a Rainbow Academy themselves. As Sue Orsulak-Drake explains, “It took us a long time to have Nicholas and we weren’t sure about putting him in daycare. We wanted a homelike environment where someone would care for him the way we do.” Now 4, Nicholas has been at Rainbow since he was almost 2. “I am so impressed with what Nicholas learns every day and I have such a comfort level with the environment and teachers--we wanted to share that experience with others.” The Drake’s dream has become a reality with the opening of Rainbow’s Academy in West Caldwell on Bloomfield Avenue in March of 2014. It is easy to see why the Drakes and others are enamored with the Rainbow Academy blueprint for childcare. There are currently 16 centers throughout N.J.—one for each year Rainbow has been in business and over 30 more under development. Sun-infused rooms and tasteful décor provide a comforting balance of serenity and stimulation. The location and design of this state-of-the-art facility includes every safety feature and helpful amenity imaginable. Biometric fingerprint scanning security, a proprietary curriculum and low child-to-teacher ratios all strive to exceed industry standards. Technology plays an important role at all ages. The Parentview® Internet Monitoring system allows parents to see their children in real-time, throughout the day. Another tool—Tadpoles—provides parents with a diary of their child’s activities—from meals and diaper changes, to pictures and videos of activities and learning mile-
Gina MarianiChimento, director
stones. As one parent remarked, “I couldn’t make the Easter parade this week, but saw it all on my computer screen.” Preschool and Kindergarten classrooms use interactive whiteboards as a window to the world beyond the classroom. Last but certainly foremost in the recipe for successful child care are the teachers and staff who are building this Rainbow Academy family. The director, Gina Mariani-Chimento, is a Verona native with a youthful demeanor and quiet charm that belie almost three decades of early childhood teaching and substantial director experience. Gina and her well-trained staff are excited by the opportunity to offer an extended day kindergarten program this fall. Chimento explains, “We are working to ensure that the curriculum is aligned with the Caldwell/West Caldwell school system.” Rainbow’s proprietary curriculum is supported by Handwriting Without Tears®—a reading and writing readiness program. American Sign Language, Spanish and a music education program are other examples of how Rainbow Academy cultivates learning through a multi-sensory approach. Children are engaged through hands-on learning activities in small groups ensuring they are well prepared for Kindergarten while having a lot of fun along the way. Interested parents should e-mail Gina Chimento at GChimento@RainbowAcademy.com, or call 973-882-1111. Rainbow Academy provides early education to children from 6 weeks through Kindergarten as well as special programming for children up to 10 years old during school holidays, breaks and summer camp.
Rainbow Academy interactive whiteboard
1104 Bloomfield Ave, West Caldwell • 973-882-1111 rainbowacademy.com/west-caldwell-nj June 2014
SuburbanEssex.com
31