“What makes me most proud of our center is when parents come back to us after their kids have graduated. They tell us how well-prepared their children are for Kindergarten and elementary school.” says Diana Smith, Director of JumpinJax Early Learning Center in Paramus, NJ. “You should know in your heart that your child is in the right place.” Ms. Smith has been the Director of JumpinJax for all 5 years this preschool been in business so far. Ms. Smith believes that nuturing for children should be done through “singing and lots of hugs.”
A few things that make this daycare stand out from the crowd?
- Bright and strategic use of color all around the facility,
- an actual café for parents and
- a 7,000 square foot play space.
To illustrate how large that indoor playground is, in real estate terms, 8,000 square feet is considered to be a mansion. If you live in Bergen County, this amazing play area is a must see. Complete with a castle for dress-up and pretend play, a rock-climbing wall, huge slides, a jumbo screen for dance games, and a party room that doubles as a music room, parents often say that their children have NO problem with separation anxiety at this facility. Drop off is in a children’s utopia.
Adults can have a great time in this space as well (the play space is open on the weekend). JumpinJax boasts a café, an air hockey table and massage chairs for parents and guardians.
Other notable attributes of the program include:
- A music program 3 times a week for all children including babies and toddlers. There’s also small group instruction on basic piano and basic violin starting with age 3.
- A yoga instructor works with ages 2-4 on yoga and meditation once a week. The same instructor also works w children once a week on public speaking relaxation techniques for ages 3 and 4 as well as some basic Korean and Spanish immersion.
- An outdoor playground with a garden where the children grow their own organic fruits and vegetables. This past season’s fare included tomatoes pumpkins, cucumbers, carrots, pumpkins, and strawberries.
JumpinJax’s Owner Steven Song and his wife Joohee of D3 Big Interior Design are well versed in the psychology of color and used their passion and knowledge to create the entire play space and preschool in one. Mr. Song gives the following “color psychology” insight into the reasons they used certain colors throughout their facility:
- Green. This calming, natural color has a soothing impact on a child. Scientists have also found that green may improve a child’s reading speed and comprehension.
- Yellow. Most of us associate yellow with feelings of happiness and cheerfulness. Studies also pair this bright and cheery color with motivation; softer yellows can aid concentration, while brighter ones can increase memory.
- Blue. Blue decreases feelings of anxiety and aggression and lowers blood pressure and heart rates. Children who experience tantrums or other behavioral problems may appreciate the soothing effects of a blue room.
- Purple. Purple is ambitious and self-assured. It’s also the color of passion, creativity, wisdom and spirituality. This deep and emotive color is great for inspiring sensitivity and compassion in children.
A look inside a classroom
“Our facility is very colorful, yet comes together very nicely. No colors clash with each other. There are no harsh colors either,” adds Mr. Song.
“Colour, it’s one of the most noticeable attributes of the world around us. For babies and small children, understanding colour is an essential building block they will use for learning in all areas of their life. So when it comes to designing kids’ spaces, colour is one of the most important elements to consider. Not only does colour play an important role in the overall aesthetic of a space, it can also impact an individual’s mood, emotional wellbeing, productivity, learning and behavior,”.says Vanessa Kettlewell of houzz.com.
In addition to the strategic colors, JumpinJax’s spacious and well-appointed classrooms feature LED lighting and air purification systems. LED lighting not only lowers the costs of energy, but also provides a safer environment for the children than incandescent lighting. LED lighting transmits almost no heat while incandescent is generally hot to the touch. The air purification systems eliminate virtually all allergens in the classrooms.
The beautiful, bright and modern Early Learning Center at JumpinJax welcomes children from 6 weeks through Pre-Kindergarten into a warm, safe and caring environment where children can learn comfortably and confidently. The program advocates the importance of providing children with an extraordinary childhood. JumpinJax’ innovative curriculum combines age appropriate academic concepts along with unique activities that exercises both the body and mind. Knowledge is attained through social interaction, exposure to creative concepts and an abundance of physical activity. Friendly and nurturing teachers and staff are dedicated to the development of the whole child focusing on individual milestones as well as stimulating early brain development through creative play. Early learners at JumpinJax learn and grow physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally while having the experience of a lifetime.
For more information on JumpinJax Early Learning Center, check out www.jumpinjaxkids.com
