Carolyn's Play House

Carolyn's Play House
Carolyn Marx Fletcher, Director
10-42 Jackson Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101

917-324-2862
carolynsplayhouse@yahoo.com

Testimonials

Here are some reviews from some of Carolyn's Play House's happy parents:

From Laila's family...

February 2004

My daughter, Laila, attended Carolyn's Playhouse from the age of 18 months to 34 months.

I feel that Laila was always well treated there. I felt from the beginning that Carolyn had a philosophy of how to treat children that was similar to mine, that I was very comfortable with. She always treats them with tremendous respect for their dignity. Never yells at them, always talks in a calm voice even when asking them to modify their behavior. Never criticizes or scolds or makes them feel bad. Always finds a way to present the needed change in behavior in a positive way. Supports them in their efforts to change their behavior.

Laila always looked forward to going to Carolyn's. In the morning, when I said that she was going to Carolyn's today she would light up and shout, "CAROLYN'S!!!!" I can't think of a better testimonial than that. On a couple of days when things were particularly dull at home, she would look at me hopefully and say "Carolyn's?"

I think "Playhouse" is a great description for this place. From the beginning, Laila loved the playroom with all the wonderful toys and the bright colors. Carolyn has a lot of toys and things that we didn't have in our apartment, so it was always a real treat for Laila. She loved taking out all the little plastic dolls/animals from one basket...pulling out cars and cups and balls from other baskets...as she got older, she loved the dressing up things more and more and would often dress up with her playmates there. And of course, climbing up to the bunk bed and bouncing up there was particularly delightful!!!

I always felt that Laila was safe at Carolyn's. I was very happy and comfortable with the small number of children there. That way, I felt there was no danger of her getting lost between the cracks (my irrational fear of a larger daycare center!) Carolyn always had a system of precautions in place when they went outside and always made sure to have an adequate number of assistants each day.

There is a lot of music at Carolyn's...Laila would come home singing songs that I had never heard (‘Little Bunny Foo Foo’ was a big favorite), so I knew she had learned it there. She played the piano in the living room and was thrilled.

There is also a lot of art at Carolyn's…every morning when we dropped Laila off, there was an art project waiting in the living room to be started. Laila would run right to the table and start playing with play dough, making dots with markers, gluing collages...we have lots of wonderful artwork from her time there. We had no need to put her in any art classes because she got all that at Carolyn's!

Bonnie Scarborough

From Liam's family...

December 2005

Dear Carolyn,

Thank you so much for the wonderful care and love you offer our kids 
every day. We feel so lucky to have them in such good hands with you. Liam has 
thrived with you and his older sister Madeline ADORES going with you. We could 
not ask for more.

We hope you know how special you are!

Love,

Amanda, 
Bill, Madeline and Liam

From Lucy's family...

July 2004

Dear Carolyn,

We are packing our bags and getting ready for our big move to Connecticut. One of the 
things we’ll miss the most is all of you! It has been wonderful to feel so comfortable 
and confident about Lucy’s well-being while she has been with you. We always knew 
that she was well cared for, not just physically but also emotionally! While learning 
to climb up the loft ladder and bounce on her bottom, she was also learning to 
share, to be kind to the others, and to play.

I think Jim and I have learned about being better parents from watching 
you. We’ve really enjoyed this experience. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts 
for everything you do.

Ida, James and Lucy

From Malcom's family...

July 2004

Carolyn’s Playhouse has been a real treasure for us!

Our son spent two years with Carolyn and company and is all the richer 
for it. I am a firm believer that “it takes a village” and have been so grateful 
for Carolyn and the kind teachers  she seeks out 
for their help in raising my child!

Each day, the children have chances to explore art (so many varied 
materials), the neighborhood, dramatic play, water and sand, manners and feelings, 
love and nurture for other children. There are so many chances to learn and I 
have been so pleased with the way Carolyn seizes those opportunities.

When I think of the folks who take care of the children, gentle is 
the first word that comes to mind (the way I hope I am in my best moments as a 
mother), curious and encouraging are next. There’s an atmosphere of building confidence 
and intelligence, affirming abilities, taking creative risks and appreciating 
each other.

On the phone that first time Carolyn told me, “we’re sort of like 
a family, a unique family with lots of little people.” That’s what we wanted and 
what we got. Going to a home, where a real family lives, being able to be a part of Carolyn’s own 
life made the transition from home that much subtler. It’s gratifying to see how 
“graduates” are welcomed back during vacations from their “big kid schools”. There’s 
a real bond that is so sweet.

We are so happy to have had Carolyn’s Playhouse in our child’s early 
life. Leaving your child to go to work is never easy. Dependable childcare is 
a foundation. Loving childcare is a blessing. Carolyn’s Playhouse is a real find.

Adrienne Laws

From Matthew's family...

January 2006

Dear Carolyn,

This is a belated, but no less heartfelt, thank-you for all your 
hard work and dedication to Matthew these past few months. We are so pleased with 
how smoothly he adjusted to day-care. It is clearly a testament to the warm, fun 
and loving environment you have created in your home. He absolutely adores being 
there and is obviously thriving and enjoying himself immensely (hence his great 
reluctance to leave every pick-up time!). We are so grateful and look forward 
to watching him flourish over the next few months. Thank, thank you, thank you!

Gary and Liz

From Max's family...

November 
2005

Dear Carolyn,

This is a hard card to write! Thank you for creating a second home 
for Max, a place where he could play, learn and feel loved. I know he will miss you, your family 
and your staff deeply.

Thank you also for your support. As we grappled with first time parenthood, 
your advice and guidance were invaluable.

We wish you the very best for the new year 
and in your new home!

With love and thanks,

Max, Mary and Ross

From Maya's family...

10/04/2004

Carolyn Marx and her helpers at Carolyn's Play House helped to make 
my daughter Maya's first experience at day care a very special one. I always felt 
during Maya's two years there that she was not only being well taken care of, 
but especially that she was being nurtured and acknowledged for who she was and 
was becoming. Carolyn's warmth and understanding with all of the children was 
evident from the first days. I especially appreciated the inter-age groupings 
and was glad that Maya had interaction with children both at her age and younger 
than herself. Also, as Maya matured, she was able to engage in many different 
projects, such as art, and music. I have just recently seen, as Maya has entered 
pre-school, how very prepared she is in the experiential, social, and cognitive 
spheres. I have Carolyn's Play House to thank for Maya's readiness to enter the 
next stage in her development. Many thanks, Carolyn, for a great beginning for 
Maya!

 Mary 
Jo Motyka, mother of Maya, 3.

From Zach's family...

August 2005

Dear Carolyn,

We all want to hank you for the wonderful experience you and your 
staff have provided Zack over the last eight months. Your playhouse provides a 
warm, creative, fun environment that has provided Zack with a very strong foundation 
for his future experiences in the greater world. May they all be so wonderful and growth-promoting as coming to Carolyn’s Play 
House has been.

With all best wishes,

Caroline, Andrew and Zacky Gelman