School-Age Child Care program opens in Caledonia

   Kaleidoscope Care, Inc. opened in September 2007 at 262 North Street in Caledonia, between CalBranch Insurance and the Post Office. This is a before- and after-school program for children in kindergarten through age 12. Kaleidoscope Care is a School-Age Child Care program registered through the NYS Office of Children and Family Services. All employees and volunteers undergo a background check and fingerprinting process to ensure the safety of our children.

   Care is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM until school starts, and again after school until 6:00 PM. (School buses pick up and drop off at the center.) Care is also offered for most full-day school closings from 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM, keeping our children safe and busy while parents work. Summer care will also be offered!

    Activities are designed to build social skills, encouraging children to get along with their peers. Some of these include outdoor play, arts and crafts, individual and cooperative games, electronics, snacks, homework time and tutoring, if needed. There are books and activities for all ages. Older kids are encouraged to mentor to younger children. Community service will also be emphasized.

    Kaleidoscope Care’s owner/director, Peggy (Kennedy) Liming graduated from Cal-Mum. After spending quite a few years living on Long Island, she returned to Mumford where she now lives with her four children: Jess, Naomi, Josh and Emily. She opened the center to offer a service to the community and to give busy parents the peace of mind that their children are well cared for while they work. Peg’s career path includes working with children, youth and families for almost 20 years. She is a certified school social worker and is a licensed master social worker (LMSW). Jess, who is the site coordinator, is a senior at SUNY Geneseo. She has six years experience in the child care field.

   Peg and Jess are sensitive to the fact that children develop differently, at their own pace. The world places a significant amount of stress on children and families each day. Peg hopes that Kaleidoscope Care will offer a comfortable, fun alternative to school-age care in the Caledonia area. For rates or more information, please call her at the center 538-4550 or cell phone (585) 301-0263.

   The center is offering FREE CHILD CARE on Saturday, December 15. Parents are encouraged to bring their children who are enrolled in kindergarten through age 12 to come and play from 9 AM - 4 PM. There is no further obligation; this is a community outreach event to introduce more families to the center and offer parents a small reprieve during the busy holiday time. Activities will include making cards, decorating cookies, making crafts, and play of all sorts. Additional adults and teen volunteers will be on hand to assist. Space is limited and reservations are required for planning purposes. Call (585) 301-0263 to sign up.