When Stella Moga enrolled her newborn son in daycare, she was horrified when she was told as she picked him up afterward that he had cried all day. She couldn't believe that they hadn't taken the time to call her at work and let her know about the situation. Upon returning home, Stella resolved to start her own daycare where she could provide children with the tender, loving care they desperately needed. Although she had recently immigrated to the United States, had few English skills, and no money, she wanted to provide children with a level of care that was unheard of in the daycare industry. Stella began working extra jobs, attending business school at night, and developing a business plan for a day care center. With only $1,800.00 and a burning desire to succeed, she founded Le Chaperon Rouge in 1982 in the basement of a local church. Today Le Chaperon Rouge has grown to eight schools throughout Northeast Ohio, with more in the planning stages. We met with Stella recently, and listened as she offered this overview of the services available at Le Chaperon Rouge;
Le Chaperon Rouge is a child care and development center and private elementary school for children ages six weeks through twelve years. We provide childcare, preschool, before and after school care, summer programs, Kindergarten, and private elementary school. Our programs include sharing experience to gain ability in language, games to develop group participation, a structured reading and math program to introduce children to the symbols of written language, art, dancing, music, creative indoor and outdoor play, and special field trips.
We are a chain of owner-operated child care centers and schools with a philosophy of providing a creative, happy, and safe environment where children have the opportunity to interact with peers and adults within the framework of a closely supervised group. We offer situations where children will become adept at following directions, expressing themselves, accepting responsibilities, and developing leadership skills. They are also helped to develop good manners when talking, playing, and eating.
Our curriculum mixes fun, free-spirited activities with lessons in reading, mathematics, science, social studies, French, Spanish, music, computers, geography, good manners, Tai Kwon Do and Karate, physical education, and other basic early childhood educational components. We go on field trips where the children can swim, learn to enjoy classical music, attend museums, aquariums, a farm, fire stations, bakeries, manufacturing companies, nursing homes, police stations, doctors, and dentists. Our elementary school children are reading in kindergarten, in addition to speaking French and Spanish fluently. Last year in our French program the children put on a presentation of Les Miserables, and our Spanish language students performed Don Quixote.
Le Chaperon Rouge has cameras in the rooms, monitors in the office, and security at the door. Each building has fireproof carpeting, wall decorations, doors, and roofs, and we have fire exits off each classroom. The children participate in fire and tornado drills on a regular basis, and our playgrounds are fenced in as an added safety feature.
We ensure our children are receiving proper nutrition by providing them with well-balanced breakfasts, lunches, and snacks prepared daily by a full-time cook. Breakfasts include hot or cold cereal, scrambled eggs or French toast, pancakes, fruit, and milk. Lunches feature meat, cheese, vegetables, and fruit. Snacks consist of fruit, vegetables, cheese, crackers, cookies, and juices.
Your child comes to our school with a distinct personality and habits acquired from his or her home environment and family life. Our aim is to preserve this special individuality while introducing your child to the world of work and play.
I have recently completed development of a prototype for a national child care operation. These top-of-the-line buildings will feature both indoor and outdoor playgrounds and will have bathrooms and running water in each room. These child care centers will only be placed in the hands of people who share my dedication to the caring and education of children and my goal to enhance each child's desire and ability to learn.
It is simply amazing how you can become whatever you want in this country. I cannot find the words to express how much I love America and the American people. I feel like I have the best job on earth in the best country in which I could have it!
The staff at Le Chaperon Rouge truly believes in the importance of early childhood education and would like to be part of your family's team. Call or visit Le Chaperon Rouge today, and don't forget to tell them The Advocate sent you!
