For parents in a pinch, finding a last minute babysitter can be a big
obstacle; it's tough enough to find a trustworthy guardian days in
advance, let alone minutes before an unexpected obligation.
However, Tina Tokos has the answer for parents in a bind. She partnered up with Maui PlayCare, bringing the convenience of drop-in childcare to the Saratoga region.
"I babysat on a regular basis for a lot of families and I wasn't always able to sit for all of them because they needed me at different times. Now I don't have to turn anyone down," Tokos said.
She can help multiple parents at once, as her services are now available to any parent in need of a babysitter.
Maui PlayCare is located in the Shops of Halfmoon in Clifton Park. Parents simply walk in, drop their children off with a qualified staff member, and go about their business knowing their little ones are both happy and safe. It is a business centered on hourly childcare for children ages two to eight; however, older siblings (up to ten years of age) are welcome if they come in with a child fitting the age range. Tokos centered the equipment, activities and toys on children ages two to eight; they aren't geared toward older children.
"Although we welcome siblings up to ten years-old, kids any older would get bored," she said.
The best part is parents need not worry about the hassle of membership fees, reservations and costly dues. For a cost of $8.95 an hour per first child, plus an additional $5.95 an hour per additional child, parents can take advantage of Maui PlayCare's services as needed. The facility, which just opened on November 7, is open seven-days-a-week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Children will enjoy a variety of fun activities at Maui PlayCare; as the name denotes, Maui PlayCare is not a typical daycare but a "playcare." The staff is designated as babysitters rather than teachers. Kids can play with toys, have fun face painting, enjoy video entertainment or participate in a variety of other activities.
The environment focuses on entertainment, thereby ensuring the kids have a good time while their parents are running errands, working out, or are simply taking an hour or two to collect their thoughts.
All Maui PlayCare staff is qualified and must undergo an extensive interview process and background check. They are also certified in CPR and First-Aid. Parents can feel safe knowing their children are in good hands. According to Tokos, the ratio of staff to kids is always one to eight. Parents will never have to worry that their children are unattended.
"I've hired more than enough staff to accommodate the children, so if we need to we just call in more employees," Tokos said.
Tokos has an Associate's Degree from Schenectady Community College in Early Childhood Education and she also has a Bachelor's Degree in Health Science. Her experiences and education have prepared her for this new business venture. After many years of babysitting, childcare jobs and childcare courses, Tokos realized that most parents simply need a few solitary hours during their typical day to get things done. She realized that a convenient drop-in childcare center was the answer to many parents' problems, and soon figured out that Maui Playcare, a national business, had already marketed her idea. Tokos began a partnership with the company, opening a franchise in Halfmoon, and the rest is history.
For more information about Maui PlayCare, contact Tina A. Tokos at (518) 371-4600 or
visit their website www.mauiplaycare.com
"I babysat on a regular basis for a lot of families and I wasn't always able to sit for all of them because they needed me at different times. Now I don't have to turn anyone down," Tokos said.
She can help multiple parents at once, as her services are now available to any parent in need of a babysitter.
Maui PlayCare is located in the Shops of Halfmoon in Clifton Park. Parents simply walk in, drop their children off with a qualified staff member, and go about their business knowing their little ones are both happy and safe. It is a business centered on hourly childcare for children ages two to eight; however, older siblings (up to ten years of age) are welcome if they come in with a child fitting the age range. Tokos centered the equipment, activities and toys on children ages two to eight; they aren't geared toward older children.
"Although we welcome siblings up to ten years-old, kids any older would get bored," she said.
The best part is parents need not worry about the hassle of membership fees, reservations and costly dues. For a cost of $8.95 an hour per first child, plus an additional $5.95 an hour per additional child, parents can take advantage of Maui PlayCare's services as needed. The facility, which just opened on November 7, is open seven-days-a-week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Children will enjoy a variety of fun activities at Maui PlayCare; as the name denotes, Maui PlayCare is not a typical daycare but a "playcare." The staff is designated as babysitters rather than teachers. Kids can play with toys, have fun face painting, enjoy video entertainment or participate in a variety of other activities.
The environment focuses on entertainment, thereby ensuring the kids have a good time while their parents are running errands, working out, or are simply taking an hour or two to collect their thoughts.
All Maui PlayCare staff is qualified and must undergo an extensive interview process and background check. They are also certified in CPR and First-Aid. Parents can feel safe knowing their children are in good hands. According to Tokos, the ratio of staff to kids is always one to eight. Parents will never have to worry that their children are unattended.
"I've hired more than enough staff to accommodate the children, so if we need to we just call in more employees," Tokos said.
Tokos has an Associate's Degree from Schenectady Community College in Early Childhood Education and she also has a Bachelor's Degree in Health Science. Her experiences and education have prepared her for this new business venture. After many years of babysitting, childcare jobs and childcare courses, Tokos realized that most parents simply need a few solitary hours during their typical day to get things done. She realized that a convenient drop-in childcare center was the answer to many parents' problems, and soon figured out that Maui Playcare, a national business, had already marketed her idea. Tokos began a partnership with the company, opening a franchise in Halfmoon, and the rest is history.
For more information about Maui PlayCare, contact Tina A. Tokos at (518) 371-4600 or
visit their website www.mauiplaycare.com
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