The best of both worlds
WILLOWS AND DUNES CHILDCARE·WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2018·
For over 24 years, Willows and Dunes Childcare has been a secret garden tucked away in an unassuming corner of Manila. Past the honeysuckle arch that guards the entryway, Willows and Dunes is a place of adventure and exploration, where children can discover the wonders of nature first hand. Filled with knowledgeable s
taff, happy to help guide the children through their expedition of the beautiful and diverse world around them. Designated a “backyard wildlife sanctuary”, animals like frogs and ducks are a common sight through the glass door that overlooks the lush and carefully cultivated gardens. The ever-changing natural world captures the children’s attention and curiosity. With a bond created based on trust and respect, it leads to discussions, and activities that meet the children’s individual needs. At Willows and Dunes nurturing children's minds, bodies and spirits is what makes this place so special. Willows and Dunes is a nurturing childcare center that provides a warm and familiar homelike environment. Spending their time actively engaged in learning, playing, and developing their motor skills; the children are able to let their imaginations run free and unimpeded by the dictation of ridged curriculum. Through play children learn social emotional norms, as they develop long lasting friendships and work cooperatively. Their cognitive faculties are stretched as they discover this natural habitat; by observing, enjoying, and interacting to new things in the world in which they live. Being a multi-age setting, the younger children at Willows and Dunes learn from the older ones and the “big kids” enjoy and learn from helping the little ones. We believe that as long as children are being safe, there really is no wrong way to play with a toy. Instead of trying to use toys “the right way” children are able to use the phenomenon in unique ways that come to their minds, and discover what happens through experimentation. This freedom of discovery is really wonderful to witness with each day that passes. We feel hopeful about the world they will create when they grow up; confident about their abilities in problem solving, and finding the answers they seek.
