Yoyo, the childcare centre at Gudja’s Skyparks Business Centre, has entered its final phase and should be completed in the next few months, according to operator Jugs Malta.
Proximity to workplaces is one of the most important considerations for parents
The street-level facility, which at full capacity will be able to accommodate 85 children aged one month and older and a team of 18 staff, has been designed to provide a holistic programme of care, development and education, directors Gianni Zammit and Josef Gafá told The Times Business.
Yoyo is the latest venture for Jugs Malta, the event management and team-building company, and the directors explained the planning for the new business was injected with the same creative thinking that is applied to each project.
The company was looking to diversify its activity and was originally examining the potential of another site before the opportunity at Skyparks presented itself.
“One of Yoyo’s major assets is its location,” Mr Zammit explained. “Proximity to workplaces is one of the most important considerations for parents when they go about selecting appropriate childcare. Skyparks sits in the centre of a fast-growing commercial, business and industrial district, meaning we had a considerable potential customer base. We discussed our plans with numerous human resources managers as we worked to identify potential customers’ requirements. We then designed the best ways to satisfy that very long list and ensure utmost flexibility. The response so far has been very encouraging.”
The centre’s manager, Dorianne Buhagiar, a long-time member of the Jugs Malta team, has more than 12 years’ experience as a learning support assistant and brings a wealth of knowledge in childcare and education, particularly with children of varying abilities. She has been instrumental in the design both of the premises and the programmes.
In a bright, colourful, spacious and multi-sensory environment, Yoyo seeks to stimulate children’s curiosity and creativity. Age-appropriate organised learning and development programmes are based on the principles of the Gardner Theory of Multiple Intelligences and the Montessori philosophy. There are at least five designated areas for separate activities, including outdoor play, ‘messy’ or more active play, a quiet zone, and a sensory activity zone, and there is a sizable romp around in the offing. One area has been designed to double as a mini theatre for children’s performances which parents will be able to attend.
“Yoyo has been planned as a safe but highly interactive space,” Mr Gafá added. “Parents will be able to go to work assured that precious time in their children’s formative years will be used intelligently. We are making a commitment to ensuring children grow socially, physically, intellectually and emotionally while they are having fun.
“We have also put considerable thought into our menus so children eat healthily or according to their dietary requirements. Our aim is to reach ever higher standards and parents will be provided with term reports so they are able to monitor achievements and progress.”
In its bid to provide as much flexibility to customers as possible, Yoyo Kids will be open from 6am to 7pm from Monday to Saturday and will able to accommodate more complex requests or care arrangements at a later stage.
Options include after-school care and homework assistance, supervised child transport, and night care arrangements for parents working late shifts. For easy access to the facility, Yoyo has four reserved drop-off spaces outside its entrance just past Malta International Airport’s terminal.
The romp around, outdoor play area and multi-sensory zone will also be open to Skyparks visitors, at designated times including Sundays under a playhouse concept.
Directors Gianni Zammit and Josef Gafá have injected the same creative thinking ino Yoyo, their latest project. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier