Rest-a-Bit Mildly-ill Care Center
Anticipated Opening Mid-2004!
Long Island Corporate Partners Needed!

Giving tender, loving care to a child is essential. Giving tender, loving care to a child who is mildly-ill or recovering from illness, injury, or surgery is even more so. When mildly-ill children can’t stay home for the day, doctors say they should be in places like the Rest-a-Bit, the planned “crown jewel” of Rainbow Chimes’ new Huntington facility. Here we are inspired to create an optimal environment for children who aren’t quite up to attending their usual education and care programs.

When funded, there will be space for up to 10 children, ages 6 months to 14 years, who are too ill to attend their regular schools and programs, but meet the strict criteria for care in a mildly-ill facility. This may also include post-operative recuperation time, or early days of recovery from a broken bone.There is always a nurse and education staff on duty, with swift access to other medical personnel.

The Rest-a-Bit has its own separate entrance, with big windows on three sides for fresh air and sunshine. The Rainbow Reception playroom will have built-in cabinets and counters to facilitate various dispensing, documenting and supervision tasks. A kitchenette will provide the means to serve suitable foods and beverages.

There are four playrooms, and napping areas, including the Sniffle Sector and Woozy Ward, to enable separation of children with upper respiratory or gastrointestinal illnesses. Anti-microbial flooring, special air-exchange and filtration systems, and a dish-washer for sanitizing toys supplement the cleaning and health practices maintained by the professional staff. One toilet with adult-sized fixtures permits privacy for older children, and a bathroom with a tub and child-sized fixtures allows supervision through a half-door partition. Thoughtfully placed closets allow toys, games and beds appropriate to different ages to be stored and taken out when children are in attendance. Videos and computer activities will also be available. The Rest-a-Bit opens onto one of our fully enclosed playgrounds for sedate outdoor activity. What child wouldn’t feel better in a place like this?

Fees for this special service may be paid privately, but it is anticipated that employers will pick up some or all of the cost, through sponsor agreements with Rainbow Chimes.

We are seeking Long Island businesses that wish to underwrite the start-up costs in return for the Rest-a-Bit naming opportunity and publicity, and others that would like to be part of the consortia that will underwrite operational costs with the benefit of discounted mildly-ill care for their employees’ children. Contact the Executive Director, Katie Roche, for details.