By Iana Seales
Think play, relaxation, education and salon pampering all in one place. But think little, as in a few months old and a few years older, and then think local as in Kiskadee Kids -Playgroup, Daycare and Salon.
Just a week old, Kiskadee is the new kid on the block but the first of its kind anywhere in the country. Tucked away at Queen Street, Kitty but easily spotted because of its bright yellow colour, Kiskadee is offering among its current services a daycare that opens for ten hours; a playschool and a hair salon catering strictly for children. There is also a doctor in the house.
And this is just the beginning. In the coming months, Kiskadee hopes to roll out services that include Saturday matinee shows for children whose parents have errands to run but no one to watch them, and late night services where parents can arrange to have their children cared for while they attend a function or do anything that requires the need for a babysitter.
Desiree Albert, Head Teacher at Kiskadee told The Scene in an interview on Thursday that Kiskadee has a concept and a vision of childcare that is currently not being offered in Guyana. She said the idea has been with the owner for some time now, who she described as, someone who simply loves children.
Though a cost is attached, she said, the service really is about treating children in the way they ought to be treated. Desiree noted that at the playgroup level the children will be exposed to activities that prepare them for Nursery School and pointed to visual development; pre-writing activities; physical activities; social and emotional development; language development and health and safety. Similar activities but on a reduced scale are available to the children of the daycare.
Desiree said they are taking children as young as three months for the daycare up to three years, three months and for the playgroup, two years, six months to three years, nine months. Kiskadee has a capacity of 60, which she said, is a number they can effectively work with. For now, they only have eight children.
Since they have only been opened for a week and are yet to embark on any major public relations drive, Desiree said the current number is expected. The children who are currently enrolled were able to get in because they parents approached the school after passing by and noticing the Kiskadee is offering a meal a day to every child and intends to keep this going when they are at capacity. She said it is not intended to send any messages to the parents but simply to let them know that the school feels that it has a role to play in ensuring that the children eat healthily. Already, the kitchen has been set up and they are waiting for a few more additions before introducing the service.
She pointed out that the school is providing uniforms, which come at a cost and also has in stock games clothes.
The theme of the school is, ‘Learning with Love and Laughter’ and according to her, that is exactly how the children will learn. Albert who has close to 27 years in childcare services said the future of childcare is now, adding that Kiskadee is the first to knock on the door and roll out a unique service. However she noted that when the news begins to spread that Kiskadee is now on the block and people get to know what they are offering, competition will spring up or those in the business will seek to diversify.
But as the early mover in the market that sets an extremely high standard for itself she feels that Kiskadee will continue to lead and raise the bar. Desiree said there are many ideas that are being looked at and some will be finalized that add to the list of services of Kiskadee.
The head teacher pointed to a vacation package that will be on stream later, which she said, will give children whose parents cannot afford to give them a vacation the opportunity to travel and see parts of Guyana, compliments of Kiskadee. She said they will not be closed during the August vacation.
Pampering
Located on the top floor of the building Kiskadee’s hair salon will cater to children and will offer a range of services. Desiree said it will pamper children, many of whom have never been to a salon and will offer braiding, relaxing, washing, styling, hair cuts and even facials and manicures and pedicures in the coming months.
She said the salon is staffed currently with three persons; two hairdressers and a barber. Desiree said young children are likely to enjoy every minute they spend in the salon since they will be as pampered as any woman or man who goes to the salon or barbershop and leave feeling good.
Since mention has been made of the salon, she said, it has generated a buzz, but this is expected as it is the first of its kind. She added that the salon has been stocked with products for children and it opens from today.
(ianaseales@yahoo.com)
