Ms. Kate's Tot Spot

My Name is Kate Simone and I have been working with children since the age of 16. I was born and raised in Lake Villa, Illinois and that is where I have chosen to raise my children and open my home day care. I have 2 sons Cole who is 17 and Lee who is 8. I started baby sitting when I was 16 as well as helping my older sister with her twin girls. I then got a job working at a daycare down the street and loved working with the younger children. When I became a junior in high school I began taking classes for the development and education of young child classes. This was even better as now I was involved in the school districts with the older children. I knew from then on that I would only be happy working with children. After I graduated high school in 2002 I got married and raised my children. Now that they are older I went back to school at the College of Lake County. At first I started with a certificate program until I realized I was learning so much about children and kept going. I have many certificates now including Early Childhood Education, Infant Toddler Specialist and Home Day Care certification. In the Fall of 2012 I will graduate with my Associates degree in Early Childhood Education. Throughout attending school I was working at a local public school as an aid in the Cafeteria for 2 years. I also am a Nanny and have been for over a year for some of the best kids you could ever meet.

In January of 2012 while finishing up observation hours for one of my college classes I realized that children deserve better. Children deserve time and attention. These are things that I personally feel major centers lack as there are so many children in one space. Children are always rushed and told to do things and they never get time to just play and interact with other children. This is why in March 2012 I realized I could offer these things to children and their families right here out of my home. Group sizes are small, children have a routine but they get to play and interact on a daily basis and the care is affordable. I am flexible with families as much as possible and just have the best interest of the children and families in mind when planning activities, outings and food menus.