A Step Above Day Care

I have been a nanny to a local family for two years. Recently I decided to expand my business and I am now licensed by the state of Maryland as a family child care provider (this includes CPR/First Aid certification and SIDS training).

My home has been in my family for 100 years and my mother was a family child care provider for seven years. The child care area is separate from my family's personal space and has a dedicated entrance and separate facilities (kitchen, bathroom, play areas, nap area).

Families have described my child care as being bright, cheerful, engaging, and soothing.

Activities include structured lesson plans, crafts, gardening, outdoor activities, circle time, independent play, and much more. I also provide family activities after child care hours.

My home is smoke free and our four dogs are contained in our personal space. Children have no contact with the animals and the animals are never in the child care area - this includes the outdoor play space.

Child care isn't just about someone watching your child while you are at work. For many children family child care is their first connection with the world outside of home and the first step in the education/socialization process. My role as a child care provided is multifaceted. I have to maintain a safe environment where children feel nurtured and loved and where they can thrive developmentally, scholastically, creatively, and socially. Babies start out learning motor skills, developing their curiosity, and establishing a sense of their surroundings. Toddlers progress to learning fine motor skills, potty training, development of social skills, and self control. Preshoolers start developing skills that will be used to enter kindergarten and that build self confidence through practical successes.

To reach all of these milestones I make sure that all activities offer an opportunity to learn a new skill or build upon already acquired skills. Children learn best through play so I provide lots of opportunities for play that results in exposure to math, science, language, and reading. I also provide opportunities to experience art, music, cooking/baking, and gardening as these create opportunities for self expression, creative thinking, and attainment of practical life skills.

Hours: M-F 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (some flexibility)
full time, before/after school (summer & holiday), & drop in care available

Breakfast, lunch & two snacks provided to ages 1+.