If you’re considering Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) for your child, you probably have questions about what actually happens during a typical day. Will my child be safe? Will they have fun? How do nurses balance medical care with activities? What if my child gets upset or has a medical issue?
This behind-the-scenes look at a typical day at Amazing Kids PPEC in Royal Palm Beach will answer these questions and more, helping you envision what your child’s experience will be like at our facility.
Before the Day Begins: Morning Preparations
Our day starts well before the first child arrives. Our dedicated staff arrives early to ensure everything is ready:
6:30 AM – 7:30 AM: Staff Preparation
- Nursing staff reviews each child’s care plan and any overnight updates from parents
- Medications are checked and organized
- Medical equipment is tested (oxygen concentrators, suction machines, feeding pumps)
- Classrooms are prepared with age-appropriate activities
- Breakfast and snacks are prepared following each child’s dietary plan
- Temperature checks ensure rooms are comfortable
- Final safety walkthroughs completed
By the time families start arriving, our team is ready to provide a warm welcome and seamless transition from home to care.
Morning Arrival: A Smooth Transition (7:30 AM – 9:00 AM)
Drop-Off Process
For families using our transportation service: Our specially equipped buses, staffed with trained medical personnel, provide door-to-door pickup. Each bus has:
- Medical equipment (oxygen, suction, emergency supplies)
- Properly installed car seats and wheelchair lifts
- Trained staff who know each child’s medical needs
- Direct communication with the center
For families who drop off personally: Parents are welcome to bring their child directly to Amazing Kids PPEC. Our entrance is:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Secured with check-in procedures
- Staffed with greeters who know each family by name
Arrival Health Assessment
Each child receives an individualized morning assessment:
Vital Signs Check:
- Temperature
- Heart rate
- Respiratory rate
- Oxygen saturation (if needed)
- Blood pressure (for children who require monitoring)
Visual Health Screening: Our nurses observe each child for:
- Skin color and condition
- Breathing pattern
- Level of alertness
- Any signs of illness or discomfort
- Equipment functioning properly (trach, G-tube, oxygen)
Parent Communication: This is a crucial time for information exchange:
- How did your child sleep?
- Any changes in condition overnight?
- New medications or doctor’s orders?
- Special instructions for the day?
- Any concerns you’d like us to watch for?
All information is documented in each child’s daily care log and shared with the entire care team.
Settling In
Once health checks are complete, children transition into the welcoming environment:
- Personal belongings stored in individual cubbies
- Children greeted by familiar faces
- Reconnection with friends they’re excited to see
- Comfort items from home available if needed
- Gradual transition from arrival to activities
Mid-Morning: Medical Care Meets Learning (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
This is when the magic of PPEC really happens—professional medical care seamlessly integrated with developmental activities.
9:00 AM – Morning Circle Time
Children gather (appropriate to age and ability) for:
- Welcome song and greetings: Building community and communication skills
- Calendar and weather: Learning concepts appropriate to developmental level
- Daily schedule review: Helping children understand what to expect
- Sharing time: Encouraging social interaction and language development
Throughout circle time, nurses monitor children while allowing them to participate fully. A child needing suctioning receives it naturally, without interrupting the flow of activities.
9:30 AM – Medication Administration
Mid-morning is a common time for scheduled medications. Our nurses:
- Follow precise medication administration protocols
- Use multiple verification checks (right child, right med, right dose, right time, right route)
- Document immediately in electronic health records
- Observe for any adverse reactions
- Coordinate timing with meals if required
Children who take medications regularly are accustomed to this routine and often barely pause in their activities.
10:00 AM – Therapy Sessions Begin
One of the biggest advantages of PPEC is having therapists on-site. Throughout the morning, children rotate through scheduled therapy sessions:
Physical Therapy:
- Strengthening exercises
- Balance and coordination activities
- Mobility training (walkers, gait trainers)
- Stretching and range-of-motion exercises
- Fun, game-based activities that work on PT goals
Occupational Therapy:
- Fine motor skill development
- Self-care skills (feeding, dressing)
- Sensory integration activities
- Adaptive equipment training
- Hand-eye coordination games
Speech Therapy:
- Language development activities
- Communication device training
- Oral motor exercises
- Feeding therapy
- Social communication skills
Therapy isn’t isolated—it’s woven into the child’s day in a natural, playful way that doesn’t feel like “work.”
10:30 AM – Structured Learning Activities
While some children are in therapy, others engage in age-appropriate activities:
For Infants and Toddlers:
- Tummy time with sensory toys
- Musical instruments and songs
- Texture exploration
- Mirror play and peekaboo
- Gentle movement activities
For Preschoolers:
- Art projects (adapted for all abilities)
- Sensory bins and exploration
- Simple science experiments
- Building blocks and puzzles
- Pretend play and social games
For School-Age Children:
- Educational activities aligned with grade level
- Reading time
- Math games
- Science exploration
- Creative writing or communication activities
Every activity is adapted to each child’s abilities. A child who can’t hold a paintbrush might paint with their feet or use adaptive equipment. The goal is participation and joy, not perfection.
11:00 AM – Medical Treatments and Equipment Care
Throughout the morning, ongoing medical care continues:
- Tracheostomy care: Suctioning as needed, trach tie changes
- G-tube care: Site cleaning, tube placement checks
- Oxygen monitoring: Adjusting flow rates as prescribed
- Wound care: Dressing changes for children who need them
- Nebulizer treatments: Respiratory medications
- Blood glucose checks: For children with diabetes or special monitoring needs
Our nurses perform these tasks with such skill that they rarely interrupt a child’s activities.
11:30 AM – Outdoor Play (Weather Permitting)
Fresh air and outdoor experiences are important for all children. Our safe, accessible outdoor area allows:
- Adapted playground equipment
- Shade structures for sun-sensitive children
- Wheelchair-accessible surfaces
- Sensory gardens
- Bubble play and outdoor toys
- Nature exploration
Nurses accompany children outside with portable medical equipment, allowing everyone to enjoy outdoor time safely.
Lunchtime: Nutrition and Social Connection (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM)
Mealtime at PPEC is about much more than just eating—it’s a social experience and an opportunity for skill development.
Meal Preparation
Our staff prepares nutritious meals that accommodate each child’s needs:
- Regular diet: Age-appropriate, healthy meals
- Modified textures: Pureed, ground, or soft foods for children with swallowing difficulties
- G-tube feedings: Formula or blended meals administered via feeding tube
- Special diets: Allergies, religious preferences, medical diets all accommodated
- Thickened liquids: For children with aspiration risk
Lunchtime Activities
For children who eat by mouth:
- Seated appropriately (adapted chairs, positioning supports)
- Encouraged to self-feed to their ability
- Social interaction during meals
- Learning table manners and meal routines
- Speech therapist consultation for children with feeding challenges
For children with G-tubes:
- Fed on their prescribed schedule
- Positioned comfortably (often able to sit at the table with peers)
- Included in social aspects of mealtime
- Sites checked and care provided
- Pumps monitored for proper functioning
Supervision and Safety:
- Nurses monitor all children during meals
- Staff trained in choking response and emergency procedures
- Children never left unattended during eating
- Special attention to children at risk for aspiration
Afternoon: Quiet Time and Continued Care (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
After the activity of the morning, the afternoon begins with a calmer pace.
1:00 PM – Rest Time
Depending on age and needs:
- Infants and toddlers: Nap in cribs with medical monitoring
- Preschoolers: Quiet rest on mats with soft music
- Older children: Quiet activities like books, puzzles, or calm sensory play
- Children who don’t nap: Gentle activities that provide a break
Throughout rest time, nurses continue monitoring:
- Oxygen saturation during sleep
- Positioning for children who need it
- Checking on medical equipment
- Administering afternoon medications as scheduled
2:00 PM – Afternoon Therapy and Activities
As children wake from rest, afternoon programming begins:
- Second round of therapy sessions for children who need multiple sessions daily
- Small group activities
- One-on-one attention time with caregivers
- Continued educational play
- Sensory experiences (music, water play, textures)
2:30 PM – Afternoon Snack
A healthy snack provides energy for the remainder of the day:
- Nutritious options (fruits, crackers, cheese)
- Accommodates dietary restrictions
- Another opportunity for social interaction
- Practice of self-feeding skills
Late Afternoon: Winding Down (3:00 PM – 5:30 PM)
As the day draws to a close, activities become more relaxed and families begin preparing for pickup.
3:30 PM – Calm Activities
- Story time
- Gentle music and movement
- Art projects to take home
- Quiet play with friends
- Review of the day’s events
4:00 PM – Preparation for Departure
Nurses prepare for smooth transitions home:
- Final medication administration if needed
- Last diaper changes or bathroom visits
- Gathering of child’s belongings
- Communication log completion
- Special instructions for parents
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM – Pickup Time
For children using transportation:
- Nurses prepare children for bus ride home
- Ensure all equipment and belongings are packed
- Send daily reports with the bus staff
- Confirm pickup information is current
For parent pickup:
- One-on-one handoff from nurse to parent
- Verbal report of the day
- Written daily care log provided
- Any concerns or highlights shared
- Questions answered
- Medication updates given
Throughout the Day: Behind-the-Scenes Care
While children play and learn, our dedicated team provides continuous support that families might not see:
Documentation
Nurses maintain detailed records:
- All medications given (time, dose, route)
- Vital signs throughout the day
- Treatments provided
- Changes in condition
- Meals and fluid intake
- Therapy attendance
- Behavioral observations
- Parent communications
This documentation ensures continuity of care and provides valuable information for physicians and families.
Equipment Maintenance
Our staff continuously:
- Cleans and sanitizes equipment between uses
- Checks proper functioning of medical devices
- Replaces supplies as needed
- Maintains emergency equipment
- Ensures backup systems are ready
Communication
Throughout the day, our team coordinates:
- With parents (for updates or concerns)
- With physicians (for questions or new orders)
- With therapists (to integrate goals into activities)
- With each other (to ensure seamless care)
- With transportation staff (for smooth pickups and drop-offs)
Emergency Preparedness
While we hope never to need it, our team is always ready:
- Emergency medications readily accessible
- Emergency equipment checked and ready
- Staff trained in pediatric CPR and first aid
- Established protocols for various medical emergencies
- Direct lines to local EMS and hospitals
- Clear chain of command for emergency decisions
What Makes Each Day Special
While we’ve described a typical day, the truth is that every day at Amazing Kids PPEC is unique because:
We celebrate:
- Birthdays and special occasions
- Developmental milestones
- Holidays and cultural events
- Individual achievements
We adapt:
- To each child’s energy level
- To medical needs as they change
- To developmental progress
- To family preferences
We nurture:
- Individual interests
- Emerging skills
- Social connections
- Joy and laughter
What Parents Tell Us
Families often share what gives them confidence about their child’s day at PPEC:
“I love getting the daily report that shows everything—what she ate, her vital signs, medications given, and even photos of her smiling during activities. I feel connected even when I’m at work.”
“The first time I picked up my son and he was excited to tell me about his day—in his own way—I knew PPEC was the right choice. He’s happy there.”
“Knowing there are multiple nurses present gives me such peace of mind. If something happens, they handle it professionally and keep me informed.”
“The therapists have made such a difference. Having PT, OT, and speech all in one place instead of running to three different appointments each week has been life-changing.”
“My daughter has made friends at PPEC. Watching her interact with other children—something I worried would never happen—brings tears to my eyes.”
Experience a Day at Amazing Kids PPEC
The best way to understand what a day at PPEC is like is to experience it yourself. We warmly invite you to:
Schedule a Tour:
- See our facility during a typical day
- Watch children engaged in activities
- Meet our nursing staff and therapists
- Observe how we balance medical care with fun
- Ask questions and address any concerns
- Envision your child thriving in our environment
Contact Amazing Kids PPEC:
- Phone: (561) 355-8593
- Address: 11917 Southern Blvd, Suite 100, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
- Website: amazingkidsppec.com
We’re proud of the care we provide and confident that once you see a day at Amazing Kids PPEC, you’ll understand why families throughout Palm Beach County trust us with their most precious children.
Amazing Kids PPEC provides prescribed pediatric extended care for children birth through age 20 with complex medical needs. We are licensed by the State of Florida, accept Medicaid and most private insurance, and serve families throughout Royal Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Wellington, and surrounding communities. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing exceptional medical care in a nurturing environment where every child can learn, play, and thrive.