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Playtime at WestShore – 346 WestShore Plaza
Owner/operators:
Emily Brushwood (813) 289-PLAY or home # 854-5413, cell # 240-6311
Julie Banks (813) 289-PLAY or home # 814-4391, cell # 785-5300
MOMS WITH A NEW IDEA AT THE WESTSHORE PLAZA
TAMPA – Playtime at the WestShore Plaza is a new service for shoppers which offers a chance for children to play and maybe even learn a little while harried parents have some time to shop or take in a movie.
Owner’s (Mrs.) Emily Brushwood and (Mrs.) Julie Banks are neighbors, moms and teachers who both have advanced degrees in education and saw a need that wasn’t being met.
"The idea came to me when I saw a storefront in Merritt Island where kids could play on toys. But, the play area was not staffed and while the kids were having fun, the parents just had to sit and watch. I thought it would be so much better if that place was staffed so parents wouldn’t have to come to the mall and just waste an hour," said Brushwood.
Banks agreed saying, "As two mothers we can see what other mothers are looking for. I would come to the mall, with my children, and see a great sale and talk myself out of stopping because it’s difficult to keep the kids happy in a store or if I do buy something I can’t try it on because you can’t fit a stroller in a dressing room."
"WestShore Plaza is a service-oriented shopping center with things that no other centers have like valet parking, valet package service, and car detailing. Management was very supportive of us when we came to them with our idea for Playtime. We fit in as another service they offer that others do not," said Banks.
Banks, who had long considered opening her own daycare center said this idea works even better because it uses an existing retail space and offers a chance for moms and dads to come out to shop or socialize and not feel guilty.
"So many parents always feel guilty, but when they come to Playtime they are dong something good for both themselves and their children," said Banks.
At Playtime the children play all the time everyday with organized activities and themes planned daily by these licensed teachers, unlike school however, there are no demands and no testing just choices that the children may choose to suit their moods.
"Play is a huge part of learning for children. This is not just babysitting," said Brushwood.
When parents walk into Playtime they can see brightly colored walls, toys to climb on or play in, cozy corners to read in or watch a movie and a video game area for older children and a special area called "toddlerville" for children ages 1 and 2.
"Dr. Doodle is a fabulous artist who did incredible murals all over the inside space. He really transformed Playtime into the child-friendly vision we had in mind," Banks added.
Theme play areas include "creation station" where hands-on projects and activities are offered; a dress up and drama area which offers dress up clothes, a play house and puppet theater; "construction cavern" where blocks, board games and puzzles are available and "energy explosion" where large motor skills are encouraged with jungle gyms and a ball pit.
Snacks are offered three times a day. Daily schedules will be posted on the website at www.westshoreplaytime.com and at the front door so that parents can choose to visit the plaza at a time that specifically suits their child’s interests.
Parents can also relax because Playtime has two security cameras and a sensor alarm door, policies that do not allow any adults other than parents and staff to enter the play area, staff who have child development accreditation or are pursuing degrees in education, as well as pagers that parents take with them when they leave Playtime that can be used to call them back to the center in cases of any emergency.
Brushwood and Banks make it very clear that this is not a daycare center, but a drop in center. No reservations are allowed – this is a first-come, first-served basis with limited numbers of children allowed. There is a maximum time limit of four hours and parents are not supposed to leave the WestShore Plaza property while their children are at Playtime.
"Playtime is like a Mommy and Me program" Brushwood tells parents. "Parents are more than welcome to join their children in our special theme activities, but because we are licensed for child care, they also have the option to leave while their children stay and explore with our certified teachers."
Playtime at WestShore is open to children ages 1 to 10 and is located at the former Dillards (soon to be Sears Department store) entrance, across from Lenscrafters. Playtime is open when the plaza is open, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays with extended weekend hours available.
Playtime at WestShore will have its grand opening on June 1 and enrollment will be free for the first month, thereafter there is a one-time fee of (just) $5 to permanently enroll a child. Hourly rates are $7 per hour for one child or $5 per hour, per child, for families with two or more children.
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