So there’s this kid named Colton. At the Tot Spot, he is known as The Mayor, and there’s a good reason for that. But we’ll get back to him. First we’re going to set the scene.
When you walk into the West Street facility, home to the recently opened toddler program specializing in children ages 12 to 36 months, little winter jackets, snow pants and boots line the entrance way. Each child has his or her own basket filled with gloves, mittens and anything else needed for the day. There are three large classrooms in the building and one tiny bathroom. The classroom straight ahead is decked out with little tables and chairs, bite-size bean bags, a big rug in the middle and shelves chosen to match the height of the students. For the record, do not buy these shelves unless you are two feet tall.
“Everything in our building is specially sized for this age group,” said Sally Wuellenweber, owner and executive director of the Tot Spot. “I wanted a certain look and feel. I want to provide a program to the community that I’d want my children to go to.”
But the sound of what turns out to be 12 children can be heard from a room to the left. Following a two-hour nap and a quick snack, the smallest of the three rooms is transformed into play time. The three teachers for the day seem to have their hands full, although they handle it with no problem.
With trucks, blocks – and did we mention a red slide – at their disposal, the tots had all they needed to play for hours. But Colton, Trip and Thomas had other things to attend to. Despite their young age, apparently they are huge fans of the Insider.
Colton quickly came up and said “Hi.” Trip and Thomas did as well. And word spread quickly, because everyone wanted to be part of the Insider photo shoot. There were numerous trips down the slide and big smiles to prove it.
They call Colton “The Mayor” because he is typically the first to approach a new student, say hi and make them feel welcome. The others, though, are quick to follow suit.
It’s just part of what is taught at the Tot Spot. (Hey, that could be the start of our new rap.)
“I’ve always had a passion and love for education,” said Wuellenweber. “We’re providing child care, but there’s an educational component to it. This is the most important period of growth for children at this age.”
Program Director Lexie Miller developed a curriculum for the toddler program based on pre-Montessori principles. There is a teaching component in almost everything they do. They encourage interaction between the children and have an emphasis on respect for other students and the Tot Spot’s stuff.
“We use the curriculum as a guideline going into the day,” said Miller. “But the way the day goes is different each day. The great part about the curriculum is that it’s all educational based.”
So it isn’t all just fun, although there is plenty of that. After some good old-fashioned play, the students transition to the middle room. It’s circle time, and Miller has some things planned. That’s where they read books like the Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?, and sing the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” and “Wheels on the Bus.” Oh, the classics.
“Circle time is really their favorite part of the day,” said Miller. “We make it fun for them.”
The back classroom is the largest and next stop of the afternoon. The staff, on this day made up of Miller, Jennifer Thompson and Tonie DeMiles, like to move the children around to break up the day. There is a sweet rocking horse, a dinosaur bean bag and lots of toys and books. One thing is for certain – these kids certainly love books. We were coerced into reading three by those little faces. Oh yeah, there is also a table shaped like a whale.
Wuellenweber began thinking about opening the program in the fall 2012. Susan Bradley, director of Casa dei Bambini in Bow, where two of Wuellenweber’s three children go, had told Wuellenweber about the wait list at the school for toddlers.
“There was a high need and not a lot of programs,” said Wuellenweber. “I was in that position of, what do I do next. Do I stay home or go back to work? And for me it’s a win-win. I get to own my own business, spend time with my daughter (Simone, 13 months) and have time to be with my other daughters (Camille, 5, and Eliza, 4).”
Wuellenweber started looking at properties online, but nothing materialized. Then in November 2012, her mother-in-law, Margaret Gegas, approached her son Bill Gegas and Wuellenweber, Bill’s wife, with an idea. Margaret owned the West Street building with her brothers, Chris and Mike Pappas. It had been in the family since Bill’s grandparents, Vassilios and Anna Pappas, purchased the property 60 years ago. But even before owning the building, Vassilios operated what is commonly known as the West Street Market beginning in the 1940s. And it just so happened that the previous tenants were ready to move out. Talk about timing.
“It had pretty much always been a superette or market,” said Wuellenweber. “They made this opportunity possible by selling us the building.”
Wuellenweber and Gegas purchased the building last July and proceeded to gut it – right down to the studs. The only thing they did not repair was the roof, and that’s because it was fine. And the playground, because the store didn’t have one before.
The colors inside are soft and soothing, yet bright, and everything is new.
“Children deserve a beautiful and safe place to go,” said Wuellenweber. “And being a parent it’s really hard to leave your children. It’s a thoughtful process of where you want to place your child.”
The curriculum is planned until next December, and topics change each week. They do crafts and even learned how to count to 10 in Spanish. We can’t even do that.
“You can make it fun, while being educational,” said Miller.
Currently there are 12 students, but the Tot Spot can handle up to 36. There are tours available and open enrollment year-round. Parents of infants looking for future placement may have their child put on a waiting list.
“Once our program fills, we’ll probably have six teachers,” said Wuellenweber.
For more info, visit totspotnh.com.
