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To Play or To Learn?

To Play or To Learn?
By Parent Marketing Group|

That is the question. But the answer is, “You can do both.” Learning through play is an essential part of our child care curriculum at the Academy.

How We Structure Meaningful Play

Most children have a favorite book – maybe one they like for you to read to them every night. And children love to play dress-up. So, at The Academy we combine the two activities by letting children dress up as their favorite character in a book.

What child doesn’t love an Easter egg hunt? And have you ever met a child who wasn’t fascinated by dinosaurs? Now imagine the excitement of a dinosaur egg hunt. Impossible, you say? Not with our ingenious teachers! They put plastic dinosaur figures inside balloons, filled them with water, and froze them to create dinosaur eggs.

How much fun could your child have with a raw egg? Our older children loved making their own “contraptions” to protect a raw egg from breaking when dropped from atop a ladder. (Teachers only on the ladder!) They loved making the contraptions, but they loved it when the eggs broke too!

The Importance of Play

We know that play is important to healthy brain development.  Play allows children to:

  • Be more creative
  • Develop their imagination
  • Improve dexterity
  • Increase physical strength
  • Learn to reason
  • Develop more emotional maturity
  • Cooperate with others

And we understand that “we’re creating childhood” every day for the children in our care. We hold that privilege with the highest regard.

Contact Us for Child Care in Nashville and the Surrounding Areas

If our philosophy of learning strikes a chord with you, we would love for you to join our family. Contact us for more information by filling out our online request form.

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Helpful Answers for Families Choosing The Academy

These FAQs share clear details on enrollment, daily routines, learning programs, safety, and what to expect once your child begins at The Academy.

What ages do you accept?

The Academy offers early learning programs designed for children from infancy through Pre-K. Each classroom is built around age-appropriate routines, developmental milestones, and learning goals that support growth at every stage. Children receive the structure they need to feel secure while still having the freedom to explore and learn through play, hands-on activities, and teacher-guided instruction.

We use the Frog Street curriculum to provide consistent learning across classrooms and age groups. This curriculum supports early literacy, communication, motor development, and social-emotional skills through structured themes and purposeful activities. Our teachers follow curriculum-based lesson plans while also adapting the day to each classroom’s pace, helping children stay engaged and supported as they make meaningful progress.

Yes. Enrichment programs are included in tuition and offered throughout the week. These sessions add variety and excitement to a child’s routine by introducing creative activities, movement, cultural exploration, and age-appropriate science experiences. Enrichment helps children build confidence, discover new interests, and stay motivated by adding new learning experiences beyond the core classroom schedule.

Strong parent communication is a key part of a successful childcare experience. Families receive updates through our communication system, which may include daily reports, photos, and important notes about meals, naps, or classroom moments. Our team aims to keep families informed, reduce surprises, and create consistent support between home and school throughout the year.

Safety is a top priority at every Academy location. Our centers follow structured protocols for drop-off and pickup, classroom supervision, and daily accountability. Staff are trained to maintain safe routines and consistent classroom expectations while supporting children in a calm environment. During a tour, families can learn more about entry procedures, classroom organization, and how we prioritize safety every day.

The easiest way to schedule a tour is by submitting the tour request form on our website. Once we receive your information, a team member will follow up to confirm availability, answer initial questions, and help you choose the best program for your child’s age. Tours are a great time to explore classrooms, learn about daily routines, and better understand the Academy experience.

Before your child starts, our team will share a simple list of items based on your child’s classroom and age group. Most families bring labeled supplies such as extra clothing, diapers or pull-ups if needed, wipes, and any approved comfort items. Teachers will also guide you through routines for drop-off, communication updates, and what to expect during your child’s first few days.

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