I’ve heard this so many times from parents and teachers over the years… “Help, my toddler won’t stop climbing everything!” It’s a classic, isn’t it? But what if we change how we think about it and give them something safe to climb on instead?

I had absolute blast covering the Sprouts room (our sweet 1-year-olds!) for an afternoon last week. We have these big, soft foam cushions in the room that usually just sit off to the side. Most days, the littles like to push them around the floor like giant cars or building blocks.

Well, last week, two of our little adventurers decided they were going to attempt scaling the table! Before anyone could take a tumble, I grabbed those big cushions and brought them right over to the middle of the floor.

Turning Table Climbers into Floor Rollers

Instead of just saying “no, no, get down,” we turned it into a game. I placed the cushion on the floor making a little indoor hill and then they took turns rolling right over them. Safe toddler climbing play for the win!

Not only did they have a absolute blast with the “climb,” but a funny thing happened while we were doing it. They learned they had to take turns with their friends! At one year old, waiting even five seconds for your friend to roll out of the way feels like a lifetime, but they did it. They stood there wiggling with excitement while their buddy finished their turn.

PopPop Matt and I talk about this all the time. Toddlers just have this natural urge in their little bodies to go up. Their muscles are growing, they feel strong, and to them, a dining chair or a classroom table looks just like a mountain waiting to be conquered! You can’t really turn off that instinct, but you can definitely give them a better mountain… and a safer choice.

Little Discoveries and Daily Joys

If you have a little monkey at home who is trying to climb your coffee table or bookshelves right now, don’t panic! You don’t need fancy playground equipment to make a safe spot for them. Pull the couch cushions onto the carpet, pile up a few firm pillows, and let them climb, tumble, and roll safely.

It’s such a simple thing, but redirecting that energy saves your furniture, saves your nerves, and gives them a safe outlet to burn off all that boundless toddler energy.

I am so incredibly grateful to smile every single day at the discovery of these youngsters—including my own grandchildren who are right here in the mix with us. Watching their little lightbulbs go off when they figure out a new skill or master a big turn is hands-down the best part of my day.

Love on the little climbers,

Grammy Kim

Ok, so it wasn’t for too long and I didn’t make the entire meal, but I actually got to help out in the kitchen last week!

I love cooking. But ever since we opened Just Like GRAMMY and POPPOP’s over a year ago, PopPop and I haven’t cooked much at home—or lately even at the center! That’s because we have our wonderful Chef Sheila, who pours so much love into preparing fresh, healthy meals for the littles every day.

Miss Sheila recently suggested adding Chicken Alfredo to our daycare menu because we love trying new things, and Alfredo is a big favorite with two of our own kids!

Making Homemade Alfredo Sauce from Scratch

When Miss Sheila couldn’t make it in on Friday, PopPop Matt invited me to step in and make “just the sauce” while he handled the rest. He boiled the penne pasta, baked and diced the chicken, and set up our “make-your-own” salad bar—served in sectioned trays so our older children can practice serving themselves.

My main job? Grating fresh parmesan cheese! Grating it yourself might sound fancy, but we just avoid pre-shredded cheese whenever possible. Freshly grated cheese melts so much better without that waxy anti-caking coating. Now, I won’t lie—I used plenty of pre-shredded cheese in my “other life”! There’s definitely a time and place for convenience, but at our childcare center, we love going the extra mile to spoil our kids with wholesome ingredients.

A New Favorite on Our Daycare Menu?

The children devoured the noodles—no surprise there! Pasta is always a crowd-pleaser. They seemed to enjoy the homemade Alfredo sauce, too, although I didn’t hear pages to the kitchen for refills this first time around.

We might add it to our meal rotation occasionally, and I sure hope I get invited back to help. Though, to be honest, Miss Sheila’s cooking will always be the fan favorite around here—and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Fresh, Healthy Meals Made with Love

One of the joys of running this school is watching little ones try new foods. They often hesitate at first, but it’s so brave when they finally dig in! PopPop Matt and I still laugh about the quizzical looks we got the first time we served kiwi or edamame—which, by the way, is now an absolute favorite here.

We pour our hearts into every part of this school. From planning nutritious menus to serving the plates, nothing beats watching the kids eat it all up—grinning from ear to ear with pasta sauce on their faces and in their hair!

It’s all made with love,

Grammy Kim

To Pewaukee East KinderCare Families: Navigating the June 26th Closure

Call Our Team: (262) 246-2926

With the sudden announcement of the KinderCare Pewaukee East closure, we know local moms and dads are facing a stressful week. When a major childcare center closes its doors, it sends a ripple effect through our entire Pewaukee community. As educators, our hearts go out to every family whose daily routines—and whose children’s comfort zones—have suddenly been disrupted.

If you are currently juggling calendars and trying to secure high-quality childcare before the June 26th deadline: Take a breath.

It is completely normal to feel a bit panicked right now. You aren’t just looking for a new building; you are replacing the educators who understand your child’s unique personality, their daily rhythms, and their favorite activities. You are trying to rebuild the social circle your little one counts on every single day.

Don’t Just Fill a Spot

When time is ticking toward a June deadline, the temptation is to accept the very first opening you find. But these early developmental years are incredibly vital. Your child shouldn’t just be a number on a corporate enrollment sheet. You deserve a childcare partner where your entire family feels seen, valued, and completely at home. Make sure you FEEL good about the place you select wherever that is.

A Different Kind of Early Childhood Care

Located just five minutes down the road at our Kindness Hub in Pewaukee, we approach early education with a personal touch. We designed our center to embody the warmth, security, and joy of a grandparent’s home.

While our 6,000-square-foot facility offers plenty of room to learn and explore, our focus remains entirely on close-knit relationships. For parents transitioning away from a corporate chain like KinderCare, our infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms offer a refreshing, community-first experience:

• Gentle Transitions: Change can be tough on little ones. We customize the onboarding process for every new student to replace transition anxiety with a sense of security and fun.

• Purposeful Play: Our curriculum focuses on play-based learning that fosters kindness, emotional intelligence, and natural curiosity.

• Direct Access: We are independently owned and locally operated. You won’t navigate a corporate hierarchy here; you work directly with Grammy Kim and PopPop Matt.

Download Your Relocation & Transition Guide

Right now, your primary focus is keeping things stable and reassuring for your child during this shift. To make the next few weeks easier, we have put together an updated Childcare Transition Kit.

This free resource includes our ‘Smooth Start’ drop-off blueprint, a comforting social story to read with your toddler or preschooler before their first day, and an objective Wisconsin Quality Checklist to help you vet any center you interview.

Click Here to Have the Free Transition Kit Sent to Your Inbox

Priority Meet & Greets for Pewaukee East Families

Because your timeline is tight, we are setting aside dedicated VIP Tour Slots over the next two weeks specifically for displaced Pewaukee East families.

We currently have a few select openings within our infant, toddler, and preschool programs. We would love to invite you into our space, learn more about your child, and help you determine the best next step for your family.

Don’t just settle for the closest open door. Find a community where your child will truly thrive.

Click Here to Schedule Your Priority VIP Tour

Thinking of your family during this transition,

Grammy Kim & PopPop Matt

]]> https://www.justlikegrammyandpoppops.com/to-the-pewaukee-kindercare-east-families/feed/ 0 https://www.justlikegrammyandpoppops.com/delafield-kindercare-closing-options/ https://www.justlikegrammyandpoppops.com/delafield-kindercare-closing-options/#respond Sat, 11 Apr 2026 16:50:24 +0000 https://www.justlikegrammyandpoppops.com/?p=4169 To the Delafield KinderCare Families: Your Transition Survival Kit

Call Us: (262) 246-2926

With the news of the Delafield KinderCare closing, we know your family is scrambling. The news has sent a shockwave through our Lake Country families this week. As a childcare provider, my heart breaks for the families who just had their daily rhythm—and their children’s sense of security—turned upside down.

If you are one of the parents currently staring at a calendar, scrambling to find a new “home” for your little one by May: Take a deep breath.

It is okay to feel overwhelmed. You aren’t just losing a service; you’re losing the teachers who know your child’s favorite snack and their unique likes and dislikes. You’re losing the friends they play with every single day.

The Danger of the “Scramble”

When we are in “emergency mode,” it’s easy to settle for the first place that has an open door. But your child’s early years are too precious to “just find a spot.” You deserve to feel good about where you drop your child off. You deserve a place where you aren’t just Account #402, but a member of a family.

Why Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’S is Different

At the “Kindness Hub” in Pewaukee, we do things a little differently. We built this center to be exactly what the name says—a place that feels like a loving grandparent’s home filled with warmth and fun.

Yes, we have a 6,000-square-foot facility, but our community vibe means the teachers and children still know everyone. For families transitioning from a larger corporate environment like KinderCare Delafield, the shift to our infant, toddler, and preschool programs can be a breath of fresh air:

• Heart-Led Transitions: We understand the trauma of a sudden move. We work closely with parents to ensure the “new school” jitters are replaced with security and excitement.

• Intentional Play: We don’t just “watch” children; we engage them in play-based activities built on kindness, curiosity, and community.

• Family First: We are locally owned and operated. When you have a question, you talk to GRAMMY Kim or POPPOP Matt—not a regional manager three states away.

Options after the Delafield KinderCare Closing

I know that right now, your biggest worry isn’t just finding a spot—it’s helping your child feel safe during this change. To help you navigate the next few days, I’ve put together a Childcare Transition Survival Kit.

It includes our ‘Smooth Start’ morning routine guide, the ‘They Always Come Back’ social story to read with your child, and the official WI State Quality Checklist to use while you’re interviewing new schools. I’ve put all these resources into a printable kit for you. Click here to have the Survival Kit emailed to your inbox.

Priority Tours for Delafield Families

We know time is of the essence. To help ease the burden for those affected by the Delafield closure, we are opening up Priority Meet & Greet Tour slots over the next two weeks.

We currently have very limited openings in our infant, toddler, and preschool programs. We would love to meet you, hear your story, and see if we are the right fit for your family’s next chapter.

Don’t settle for “available.” Find the place where your child will flourish.

Click Here to Book Your Priority VIP Tour

Hang in there –

Grammy Kim & PopPop Matt

“Like my parent’s living room…”

Matt and I envisioned the Kindness Hub long before we even chose the physical space for our center. We didn’t want a sterile waiting area; we wanted a sanctuary where siblings and multi-generations could come together, even if just for a few minutes.

That’s exactly what we’ve built, and we love it.

Don’t expect an institutional feel here. Don’t expect a “perfectly” curated, untouched showroom. Instead, expect a lived-in, loved-in space—full of half-finished block towers, open books, and the beautiful, intentional “clutter” of active play. It is the heart of our 6,000 sq. ft. facility, designed to be a safe harbor for learning and connection.

“…and all the cousins playing together”

While our children spend most of their day in their six specialized classrooms, the Hub is where the “big family” magic happens. We use this 500 sq. ft. space for our Before and After Care sessions (6:30 AM–8:30 AM & 4:30 PM–6:00 PM), and it’s our go-to “indoor park” when Wisconsin weather keeps us from the playground. Whether it’s an in-house field trip or a mixed-age morning, it feels less like a classroom and more like a Sunday afternoon at Grandma’s.

What Makes the Hub Special?

• The Family Quilt: As you enter, you’ll see our community quilt. Every child creates their own unique square, which we weave together to show how every individual is a vital part of our whole family.

• The Celebration Screen: We use our display to highlight recent photos of the children in action and to shout out celebratory wishes for birthdays and milestones.

• Kindness from Around the World: This May, the Hub became a global post office! We were humbled to receive “Love & Kindness” mail from as far as Japan and Dubai. Our children are learning firsthand that the world is a big, kind place.

• The “Take One, Leave One” Library: What would a Hub be without books? Our shelves are packed with stories of discovery. We even invite our families to borrow books to take the “Academic Sprinkling” home with them!

Take a peek inside! See the Hub (and a wave from us!) in less than 60 seconds:

Take a peek inside! See the Hub (and a wave from us!) in less than 60 seconds:

Want to feel the warmth for yourself? We’d love to host you for a private Meet & Greet tour to show you how our “Big Family” approach can support your child’s growth.

Book a tour here to meet Grammy & PopPop.

Why Our Private 4K/5K is the Heart of Kindergarten Prep

If you’ve peeked into our Blossoms classroom lately, you might have seen a familiar face! I (Grammy Kim) have been back in the classroom leading our oldest learners, and it has been such a joy to see their growth firsthand.

Whether your child is one of our “Buds” (our younger preschool group) preparing for the next level, or you are a Pewaukee family looking for a smaller, more intentional alternative to the “big” public school 4K programs—we are so glad you’re here. We believe these final years before “big kid school” are the most critical, so we wanted to share exactly what makes the 4K/5K experience at Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’S so unique for both our long-time families and the new friends joining us this season.

Purposeful Design (Yes, even the floor plan!)

Some parents notice that our classroom feels a bit “tighter” than a gymnasium-sized public school room. That is 100% intentional! We’ve designed the space to prevent “the zoomies” and running around. Instead, the layout naturally guides children toward focused play and fine motor development. It turns a large room into a cozy, high-functioning learning lab where every corner has a purpose.

The “Sprinkle” of Academics

We are, and will always be, play-based. But in our Blossoms class, we’ve mastered the art of “academic sprinkling.” While the kids think they are just having a blast, we are intentionally weaving in:

• • • Math Magic: Recognizing numbers 0-9, counting to 20, and even simple addition.

    • Early Literacy: Rhyming, identifying first sounds in words, and learning to write first and last names.

    • Spatial Awareness: Understanding “over, under, and behind”—the building blocks of geometry!

Small Groups, Big Results

This is the “Private School” difference. Unlike the large ratios in public preschools, we keep our groups small. This allows me (and our future lead teachers) to work at the child’s level. I can sit with one group that is mastering the tripod grip and writing letters, while simultaneously helping another group that is still in the “beautiful scribbling” stage of expression. No one gets left behind, and no one is held back.

The “Secret” Outdoor Games

Recess isn’t just about burning off steam; it’s about “Gross Motor Mastery.” We play games like Red Light, Green Light, hopping on one foot, and mid-line crossing (like touching your right hand to your left foot). The kids just think they’re playing a special game for being great listeners at the fence—but we know they’re actually building the balance and coordination they need for healthy physical development.

“I can do it myself!” (The Gift of Independence)

A huge part of Kindergarten readiness is self-care. We follow a “try it first” rule. Whether it’s zipping a jacket, pouring a drink, or independent bathrooming, we empower our kids to attempt the task before we step in. This builds a Growth Mindset where it’s okay to make mistakes—because that’s how we learn!

Our 4K/5K Checklist: What We’re Tracking

We don’t just “hope” they are ready for Kindergarten; we track it. We are currently using a comprehensive assessment (that I personally refined) to ensure our kids are hitting milestones in:

• Cognition: Sorting, puzzles, and shape drawing.

• Social-Emotional: Managing impulses, waiting for turns, and showing sympathy for others.

• Health: Using scissors properly and independent dressing.

Why Stay with the “Grammy & PopPop” Family?

We know the “free” public school options are out there. But they can’t offer the tiny ratios, the “home-away-from-home” consistency, and the deep personal relationships we have here. We are shadowing our lead teachers and raising our expectations because your child deserves a transition that feels like a step up, not just a move out.

Space is Limited!

Because we keep our ratios so small, we rarely have more than a couple of spots open at any given time. If you’re looking ahead to the Fall or even next year, let’s chat!

Want to see the Blossoms room in action? The windows face the right side of the front walkway—give a wave if you see us in between our window bean plantings! Or better yet, book a Meet & Greet to walk through and see the lesson plans for yourself.

Have questions? Pop in and ask! We’re here to help your “Blossom” thrive.  Inquire here.

Watch this short video to take a peek inside our preschool class to see a fun way to wash hands as a group. It’s only 40 seconds – you can do it!

We like to make things fun at Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’s and we wash hands a lot – so we change it up and turn up the tunes for this one….

Many of my favorites are books and authors that I read with Ashley, Kayla, and Morgan when they were little. I continued reading some of them with Mira, and now the grandchildren and all those who will listen at Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’s. Some of them I even remember hearing when I was younger. My Nana was an avid reader and always had a book close-by.  Thanks to her, I love that I just might have picked up on the reading hobby from her.

Our Kindness Hub is filled with books and I don’t think I’ll ever have enough. I’ve always enjoyed discovering the magic behind the covers of children’s books.

Grammy Kim’s Top 9 Favorite Children’s Books and Authors

in no particular order… because I just can’t…

Anamalia by Graeme Base
The illustrations are captivating there are no need for words.

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
This book gives a great example of how vast your imaginations can be.

Corduroy by Don Freeman
A demonstration of love and friendship.

Are you my Mother by P.D. Eastman
Many opportunities to use different voices to answer the question posed by a lost little bird.

Good Dog, Carl by Alexandra Day
Mostly wordless with beautiful artwork depicting adventure between toddler and the family dog.

The Pokey Little Puppy by  Janette Sebring Lowrey
There is something to be learned about consequences of not listening.

Animal Sounds by Athena Dixon, E.J. Koh
Tried & true first book for my little girls now grown. Simple animal sounds.

Love you Forever by Robert Munsch
The love I have for my children can’t be beat. The amusement of some little challenges bring back memories of their childhood too.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
A commonly gifted book for goodnight wishes to little ones after saying goodnight to objects within the room.

Authors: Eric Carle; Mercer Meyer; Felicia Numeroff; Sandra Boynton; Anna Dewdney

I love some of the new series and authors too – but these above are my vintage classic favorites. I’d love to learn of more if you care to share…

I created our positive reward system, YayTags, stemming from the popular Brag Tags that are used in a lot of elementary schools. I am not a huge fan of the word brag though, so I knew that had to change.

Simple Reward System for Behavior

Children that are a part of our oldest classes of 3K and up at Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’s, can earn a YayTag for showing good behavior. They just love earning YayTags and we see lots of smiles.  A circular shaped badge is worn on a lanyard that is kept at school for them to collect YayTags AND a wrist badge adorns the wrist of the child so they can share their reward with their family at home!

These rewards are earned and praised with huge shout outs at the time of earning so all of the class can cheer the good behavior on. We are always looking for reasons to add additional YayTags (and remove) based on the needs of the class.

Like most things at preschool, there are some more motivated than others and different days and activities certainly brings a variety of opinions. But one thing is for sure… YayTags are loved by all.

The words you never want to hear and surely think “it will never happen to me”.  I bet that’s what a lot of people who have experienced such a traumatic experience of an intruder in their trusted and safe places thought too. I remember writing our policies for Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’s quite well.  The number of hours pouring into the creating, organizing, wordsmithing, editing, etc. but I also remember my heart hurting that we even have to address the importance of being prepared for an intruder. Just. in. case.

$100,000 Pyramid Game

Then, how do you practice this or be well prepared without exposing the innocent little minds to this tragedy even existing? Although it stinks to think about it, you have to. And you have to make sure everyone has the knowledge of a plan without speaking out-loud “guns” “armed” “busted through the door” “attack” etc.

We had a parent visit on a tour that previously advocated for safety in early childcare centers and she asked us, “what do you have in place to train for intruders?” I can’t remember if Matt or I answered since we usually both are on the Meet & Greet Tours, but it was the same answer. We have a section covered in our onboarding and we do fire drills monthly year-round and tornado drills monthly April – September. We don’t drill for intruders, but we have a lockdown procedure and it is hanging on our emergency clipboards in every classroom.  Thank you, Brittany!  It got us thinking through…

Is that the best we can do to keep the children safe?

No. We wanted to do more. We will be repeating this drill periodically and we will be refining this as we discover additional ways to improve how we keep the infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and teachers safe.

Step by Step

1. Matt printed out a sign that read, “I AM AN INTRUDER. Act Accordingly”. He put up his hoodie and started walking to all of our classrooms just holding up the sign. I followed closely behind watching and noting reactions.
   • We heard giggles. We heard, “what? what should I do?”.  We saw the deer in headlights look back at us.
2. We circled back to all of the classes to observe what action had been taken.
3. We sighed.
4. We noted that one 4K 5K class took action despite lots of inquisitive voices, “why is it dark?”  “why do we have to be quiet?”
   • Great job, Blossoms!  They turned off their lights and squeezed under a table in the corner.

5. We waited for exactly one week and repeated steps 1 & 2.
6. We smiled. We were so proud. Every single teacher took steps to keep her class safe. 

• • • Keep in mind, we didn’t say anything after the first drill. Intentionally. We wanted to see what would happen. We have said it before and we will say it again. Our team is top-notch. We only have the best. They reviewed our policies. They took action!

7. See the photos below in how the infants, toddlers, children from ages 8 weeks to 5 years old were guided by their teachers to practice the unanticipated Intruder Drill in each of our classrooms.

In one of our infant rooms, the teachers gathered the awake babies and took them the furthest corner unseen from the door.

In our early 1K toddler room, the teacher stopped preparing snack and placed the children in an evacuation crib that was around the corner and unseen from the door.

In one of our 2K rooms, the teacher stopped their story, called out to her co-teacher to call 9-1-1 (and had to quick recall that). They guided the children into the dark changing table room around the corner.

In our preschool 4K 5K room, they scurried to the back classroom (our lockdown pre-determined location) and turned out the lights and hid in the corner under a table with the 3K class.

We did it. We will do it again.

Thank you, Ms. Maddie, for arming yourself with sanitizer. Just. in. case.

It is necessary unfortunately, that we have to have an intruder drill. But we will do it again because we believe it helps to be prepared.  We will also continue to make it fun and hope that the children can wait a while to learn what we are really preparing for.