The years children spend with us are short, but the friendships, habits, and small everyday lessons they pick up can stay with them for a long time. We recently caught up with Maya Ashton, who graduated Kids & Company as a preschooler and has now just graduated high school, to hear what she remembers and what stuck with her.
Here’s our conversation with Maya
When were you with us at Kids & Company?
I attended Kids & Company from 2009 (age 1) – 2013 (age 4)
That’s well over a decade ago now, and you were so young. What do you actually remember about your time at Kids & Company?
I have many amazing memories from Kids & Company, including the wonderful staff who were always so personable, the delicious food and the chef who was always so kind, the fun times spent outdoors and on the playground, the opportunity to learn basic French and sign language at a young age, the many friendships I made, and the songs and activities that made daycare such a fun and memorable experience!
Do you think any of those experiences helped to shape who you are today?
My time at Kids & Company not only shaped who I am but also prepared me for later steps in my life. One of the most helpful aspects, especially as a French immersion student, was having a head start with the language before beginning elementary school. In addition, Kids & Company taught me many important everyday skills that I continued to use throughout my childhood, such as cleaning up our messes together, sharing with each other, waiting patiently for our food to be served at lunchtime, and much more. I truly believe Kids & Company helped me build confidence, socialize with other children, and feel prepared for school, especially as an only child.
You mentioned the friends you made. Are you still in touch with anyone from those days?
One friendship that stands out to me is the one I formed during my first years at Kids & Company with my friend Armaan. Since then, Armaan and I have gone through elementary school, junior high school, and even went on a senior trip with a group of friends together. We have now graduated high school, both as part of the French immersion program, all while continuing to stay friends throughout the years. Going from a room of around 20 children at Kids & Company to graduating from a class of 567, our friendship is a wonderful example of how the relationships you make at Kids & Company can truly last a lifetime!
What’s one thing you’d tell parents whose children are just starting at Kids & Company?
One thing I would tell parents with children starting at Kids & Company is that their child will gain valuable developmental experiences, including building socialization skills with other children, learning how to be helpful and patient, and developing important life skills, all while having so much fun every day. I cannot remember one bad experience I had at Kids & Company; the memories I do have are filled with safety, connection, and joy.
Thank you to Maya for sharing all of this with us. It’s a lovely reminder that the earliest years leave a real mark, and that the friendships and milestones your child builds here can help shape who they become.
