3 Minutes on a Park Bench with Melissa Ananias from Learning Zone Childcare Centers

Melissa Ananias talks about The Learning Zone's curriculum and reflects on the most rewarding aspect of the education/childcare industry.

Patch: What is The Learning Zone best known for?

Melissa: We of course want to educate the children, but feel for children to successfully learn, they first must feel safe and loved, as well as confident and the rest will follow!

Patch: Can you tell us a little bit about the different programs the Preschool offers?

Melissa: The Learning Zone is best known for its loving kindness toward children. We of course want to educate the children that really feel strongly that children first need to feel loved and safe and then the rest will follow. We base our hiring on this premise kindness, love and warmth!

Patch: Can you tell us about the curriculum?

Melissa: The learning zone childcare centers has a set curriculum that we purchased from a company that specializes in curriculums! We teach that curriculum at all different age levels! The teachers are then able to enrich and enhance their curriculum how they feel best!

Patch: How did you get into education or child care?

Melissa: I went to Boston University for education and opened my first center almost 22 years ago after graduation.

Patch: What is your favorite part about owning The Learning Zone?

Melissa: My favorite part of owning childcare centers is helping to educate the children the staff and even the parent sometimes! It's very rewarding when you can help someone achieve what they need and or want.

Patch: What was the best advice a teacher ever gave to you and do you remember the grade/subject he or she taught?

Melissa: The best advice a teacher ever gave me was to make it fun! If you educate children ( and staff) in a fun and engaging way, they will learn!

Patch: What advice would you give others in your position?

Melissa: If I had to give advice to someone who wanted to open their own daycare center, it would be to follow your gut. Every time that I go against what I know is best, even if the decision or action is difficult, I always regret it.

Patch: What’s the Learning Zone’s teaching philosophy?

Melissa: Our teaching philosophy is to make things fun let the children feel safe and they will learn!

Patch: What makes The Learning Zone standout?

Melissa: The Learning Zone Childcare Centers are located in convenient towns! We have locations spread out around Massachusetts. Our locations are in Weston, Waltham Belmont, Framingham, Woburn and Beverly! This wide array of locations allows families to either have Childcare near where they work or where they live, whatever they feel I do best for their family!