Building Blocks Day Care Opens Soon

In a red, weathered building known for its antiques, Jan Weddle can see beyond the construction dust and disarray and glimpse her dream.

Where a jumble of mirrors, glassware sets and stacks of china now sit, she sees tiny tots doing jumping jacks. Where pipes, boxes and boards wait in messy piles, she sees a room for infants decorated with mobiles and murals.

Her enthusiasm is so infectious, others can see her vision too.

Weddle and her husband Art bought the building at 920 W. Cora 2-1/2 years ago with child care in mind.

They decided to try antiques for a while - since that’s what the building housed originally - but lately they’ve seen customers’ spending habits become more cautious.

So, the Weddles are turning the 4,500-square-foot building into Building Blocks child care and development center.

“There’s a need for child care centers that develop kids instead of plunking them down in front of the TV or telling them to go play by themselves,” Jan Weddle said. “Kids need to ask questions. They need to touch and feel things.”

Building Blocks will welcome up to 100 children ranging in age from 2 months to 5 years.

Right now, the Weddles are working on making everything bright and cheerful. An art teacher from Mead High School is creating a large airplane to hang from the ceiling, which will be painted sky blue. They’re collecting art and box kites and building rainbow-hued shelves.

They’ll also install security cameras and a closed check-in area.

Kids will arrive at Building Blocks from 6:30 to 8 a.m. to start a day filled with pottery, painting, puppets, music and snacks. A big-screen TV will let kids do aerobics with Big Bird.

Weddle said she wants kids to be exposed to a variety of activities.

“It’s very important,” she said. “It encourages them to take part in lots of things and find out what interests them.”

Such a schedule will also teach them how to rotate among activities and teachers and to clean up their area and move on, she said.

Children ages 3 and up will learn to read using the “Hooked on Phonics” program. Weddle said she wants all her teachers to stress the importance of communication.

“It builds confidence and self-esteem. Kids need to know they’re worth something,” she said. “I want them to teach that learning is fun.”

Kids will have two snacks and lunch daily. The rate is $22 a day for infants and toddlers, $20 for tiny tots and $19 for preschoolers.

Communication, confidence and choices - Weddle hopes to use those building blocks for neighborhood support.

“If we’re going to have a good community, we have to put in the time now,” Weddle said, “or we’ll pay for it later.”

INFO For more information about Building Blocks, call 327-1582.