On the outside, the new Bradford Children’s Academy is another child-care centre in modern retail plaza, with big windows and a bland exterior.
Ah, but on the inside… The hallway has the feel of a kid-sized main street, with “storefronts” and street signs announcing the modern kitchen ("Ratatouille”), and themed rooms – Oceania, Big Ben, Chocolatier, Storks for the baby room, Bookworms for the library.
Each room is geared to a different age group - infant, toddler, preschool, kindergarten – and filled with age-appropriate learning materials, furnishings and toys, for play-based learning.
“Awesome,” said MP for York-Simcoe Scot Davidson. “This is an awesome space.”
Davidson was among the dignitaries invited to join parents and children at the recent grand opening of the academy. Owner Elira Xhelo and staff were on-hand, providing tours of the facility.
There was also face-painting and balloon art for the kids, and an array of fresh foods prepared in the academy’s organic kitchen.
“This is really important to people in Bradford West Gwillimbury and South Simcoe,” said the MP, presenting Xhelo with a Canadian flag. “It’s a real pleasure to walk through here. It’s going to be a setting that parents can trust – where they can bring their kids and drop them off, secure that their children are in a safe and happy environment.”
“What a great occasion. What a happy space,” said BWG Mayor Rob Keffer. “With more young families calling Bradford home, there is a need for child care. This is really, really good for our community.”
“I want to thank everybody who’s here, and the amazing community of Bradford,” said Xhelo. “The response has been so overwhelming, so loving.”
After being open for only a week, Xhelo said she feels part of the Bradford family. “That’s what Bradford Children’s Academy is going to be – a family, and raise a lot, a lot of children,” she said
The interior design was the work of husband Ron Gal.
“We designed and built it,” he said, acknowledging that it took “a long time” – two years – but was well worth the effort. Each classroom is unique, and filled with everything needed for both learning and play. “It’s a place kids want to come to.”
The Bradford Children’s Academy, located at 553 Holland St. W. in Bradford, provides daycare for infants, toddlers, kindergarten and school aged children, with a capacity of approximately 107 children. During the summer, the academy will offer a summer camp program, for ages four to 10.
For information or to register, call 905-775-5657 or email [email protected].
