By: Lani

This week I would like to introduce you to one of my favorite new local businesses!  Adventure Kids Playcare is now open near White Flint and it fills a huge void.  Before AKP opened, if you needed to run some errands, go on a date, clean the house, have emergency back-up childcare, etc. you had to hope you could find a reliable and trustworthy babysitter who happened to be available (sometimes on very short notice).  Now, you don't have to give any of these situations a second thought...you just drop your kids off at AKP and pick them up whenever you are ready.  AKP provides a safe, super fun environment for kids ages 2-12.  In addition to hourly drop-off childcare, AKP also offers summer camps, tutoring, birthday parties and more!

There are several things about Adventure Kids Playcare that are worth noting, esp. if you are a slightly neurotic parent like me.  As most of my friends can attest, I have hardly ever used a babysitter.  Quite honestly, I remember what my friends would do when they baby sat for other people's kids in middle school and high school and that thought still freaks me out.  I am lucky enough to have my parents live locally, but having them watch my son on a regular basis is just not possible...so the result is my husband and I almost never go out on a date night with each other or get to go out with other couples.  I can honestly say, I have found the solution to my fear.  From now on, I can just drop my son off at AKP, go out for dinner, or to a grown-up movie, and not have to worry.

Adventure Kids Playcare is licensed as a childcare facility and they hire qualified teachers as their staff to interact with the kids.  All of the staff are CPR and First Aid Certified and have passed background checks.  There is video surveillance all over the facility, and only one non-emergency way in and out of the premises.  Parents are identified by IDs, and parents provide a password in case of emergency. 

The name Adventure Kids Playcare is very fitting.  Inside this large, bright and CLEAN facility, you'll find a toddler area, movie theater, indoor mini-basketball court, large playscape (my son's favorite part!), air hockey table, arts and crafts area, dining area, karaoke stage, age-appropriate computer and video games, toys, pretend play areas and more!  The staff can serve your child a meal for $5, or you can bring a meal from home as long as it is peanut free.  They also serve snacks several times per day. 



AKP is open from 8am-10pm Monday through Thursday.  Fridays from 8am till midnight and on Saturdays from 9am till midnight.  Sundays are reserved exclusively for birthday parties.  (We just booked our party for my son's 5th birthday and cannot wait!!)  There is an annual fee of $50, and then an hourly fee for childcare (there is a reduced rate for siblings).  There are also discounted pre-paid plans available. 

So...want to know what my family actually thought?!  On Saturday, we finally had a chance to stop by AKP and I am so excited to share more about this local business owned by a local family with all of you!  Honestly, the center is, using my son's word..."AWESOME!!"  We stopped by originally to take a tour as we were thinking of having my son's birthday party there.  After taking a quick tour, my son quickly asked my husband and me if he could stay and play.  We tried to explain it was time to go, but he let us know he wanted to stay.  We decided to let him stay for an hour while we ran some errands.  An hour later, we came back to pick him up but he decided he was not ready to go.  After another negotiation, my husband and I headed out to get lunch on our own so he could keep playing.  After a little more than two hours of playing, he was completely worn out when we finally took him home. 

The whole way home, he was so excited to tell us about all the new friends he made, how much fun he had playing games and going down the slide, on, and on he went.  We asked him again to make sure he wanted to have his party there and he said he could not wait.  He also asked if he could go back tomorrow and then "again and again".  I would say that is definitely a glowing recommendation from an almost five year old!

As for me, I was thrilled about how clean and bright the center was and how attentive all the staff were.  All the kids were happy, playing nicely and being watched well.  All the toys and equipment was clean and in great condition.  I am thrilled to have this great new business in our community!  I hope you will all check them out soon.  Be sure to let them know you are a Mac Kid reader and print out a copy of the $10 off coupon good for all new memberships between now and November 30,2012.