Jordan’s Corner is a premier indoor play space located in North Scottsdale designed to create a community where child-led play, inclusion and fun are encouraged, and differences are respected. “Our indoor play space allows young children — from infancy to six years of age — and their caregivers to engage in purposeful play where they can develop new skills, build community and make meaningful memories!” says Janell Panicko, RN, BSN, who founded her company in 2021.
Her impetus came from her own need to find a play space for her two toddlers who, also, were enrolled in speech, occupational and physical therapies at various times. “I knew I could not be the only mama wishing for an inclusive play space for my little ones to work on their therapy goals and make friends beyond our own living room.”
Applying her knowledge of child development from her nursing experience and her children’s therapy sessions, she researched and designed Jordan’s Corner as a sensory-rich, Montessori-inspired no-judgment-zone play space that welcomes typical children and children with physical and cognitive disabilities.
“The biggest challenge has been providing an inclusive space with little resources,” relates Panicko, who believes so strongly in the mission of Jordan’s Corner that she spent two consecutive months away from her family as a FEMA travel nurse to fund the venture.
Another challenge is navigating owning a small business that is open seven days a week and still being available for her own children. Shares Panicko, “My husband Stanley and I have done really well working together to help provide a normal upbringing for our children. It’s not always easy but, with communication and consistent support, the vision we both have for Jordan’s Corner keeps us going.”
Panicko credits Alexandra Maw, founder of Kaleidoscope, for valuable advice she applies whenever she considers new ideas for Jordan’s Corner: “She said, ‘Don’t over-complicate your business,’” Panicko relates. “So, every time I think about something, I always reflect back to that quote and decide if it’s really something we need to be doing.
“Jordans Corner is a special place and what we do is unique. We do not need to over-complicate what we do.”
