Concerned that your toddler, just learning to crawl or walk, might get bumps and bruises? Don’t worry. The Sanchong Zhongxin Public Childcare Center’s Parent-Child Picture Book Library offers an extra-large space where little ones can move freely without risk. Toys and picture books for babies are all concentrated in the corners of the room, leaving a super spacious area in the middle. It turns out that every Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m., this space transforms into Story Time with Sister Bear, and the large room next door—open only on Saturdays—is also used for parent-child physical activities. The abundant space makes playtime especially fun for both kids and parents.
Special Flooring to Stimulate Infant Tactile Development
Located just a 2-minute walk from Xianse Temple Station on Taipei Metro’s Xinzhuang Line, the Sanchong Zhongxin Public Childcare Center’s Parent-Child Picture Book Library is free and does not require reservations on weekdays, making it a play paradise for children under 2. Opened in December 2011, in addition to offering public childcare services, it is also open to the general public. Its biggest feature? “No large toys!”—yet it offers a rare expanse of space in the city. After taking your child’s temperature and completing sanitization, a staff member will introduce the environment, including the non-public childcare center areas, picture book zone, restrooms, and nursing rooms. There are also at least 30 surveillance cameras monitoring the safety of the little ones, giving parents peace of mind.
Numerous surveillance cameras offer extra reassurance for parents
Upon entering the main activity space, the picture book area, you might initially feel the space is too big and somewhat empty or uninteresting. But you’ll soon discover the advantages of the large area. For example, there are no support beams, lots of windows, and the floor is spotless—making air circulation much better than in typical parent-child centers. Additionally, babies just learning to crawl have plenty of room to practice, and moms don’t need to worry about bigger kids accidentally stepping on them. New walkers also won’t be afraid of falling, and they can even practice crawling or walking all over the place. If you come on a weekday, there are even fewer people, making playtime even more enjoyable.
Aside from the central open space for physical activity, there are also some small toys and teaching aids along the walls, such as a wooden maze to help develop fine motor skills, and flooring designed to stimulate infant tactile senses. Additionally, there are picture book shelves, toy cars, mini slides, and a “big bowl” that helps train balance and vestibular development. But don’t think these are the only teaching tools available. Parents can show ID and check with the front desk staff to browse and rent toys from the toy catalog. Popular items include play kitchens loved by little girls, construction trucks and wooden musical instruments favored by boys.
Wooden teaching aids keep toddlers happily entertained
This rare large space is put to good use. Every Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m., it becomes the venue for Story Time with Sister Bear, lasting about 15 minutes, where children and parents can enjoy stories whether lying down or sitting. And here’s a little secret: the room usually closed to the public also boasts a huge space and occasionally hosts parent-child physical activities led by professional fitness instructors, making both kids and parents laugh uncontrollably and exclaim, “We want to come back again next time!”
Sanchong Zhongxin Public Childcare Center
Address: 2F, No. 511-515, Section 5, Zhongxin Rd., Sanchong District, New Taipei City (Take the elevator to the 2nd floor from Exit 1 of Xianse Temple Station on the Xinzhuang Line)
Phone: (02) 2995-3933
Business Hours: Tue–Fri 10:00–12:00, 14:00–16:00, 18:00–20:00; Sat 10:00–12:00, 14:00–16:00