Elm Child

My educational background is in Child Development and I love keeping up on the latest research and information related to childcare and teaching. I have years of experience teaching preschool (which I love!) and working in a daycare setting.

My home daycare is opening July 2017 and I'm so excited to have the opportunity to provide quality, respectful care in a nurturing environment. I love art, singing songs, reading books, giving plenty of opportunities for independent play, and lots of outside time. Preschool age children will learn what they need to be prepared for Kindergarten academically as well as socially and emotionally.

Routine is an important part of my program. I find, and research shows, that young children thrive in a steady environment. When children know what comes next they can truly let go and delve into their play, which for them is their learning. It also allows for smooth transitions and gives the children a sense of control over their day.

My caregiving style aligns with the teachings of Magda Gerber and RIE philosophy. I believe that each child, from the time they are newborns, are fully formed beings deserving of respect. I have clear, developmentally appropriate, expectations for behavior. My handbook goes into more specific detail about how I handle conflict and behavior issues.

Television and other media is not a part of our daily routine. I have found with my own children that when television is eliminated, they get involved in more independent, creative play. Time spent watching TV is is time that kids aren't imagining, or interacting, or even having the opportunity to feel bored! Also since I care for children under 18 months, I follow the AAP recommendation of not exposing them to any screen time. I definitely understand the usefulness to parents and the fun in watching television or movies. It's just not a part of our day here.

I'm committed to serving balanced, nutritious snacks and meals. I buy organic the majority of the time and serve whole, unprocessed foods.