West Geauga In-home Daycare

I'm a mom who is nearly finished raising 7 kids made up of a mixture of adopted and bio children which includes a set of 17 year old bio twins who by adoption became triplets. I have a BA from Kent State with concentrations in psychology, sociology, and recreation. I have extensive experience working with children and families who have special needs. Since 1985, I have worked with children in varying capacities from babysitter, camp counselor, professional nanny, and doula to president and founder of Always Tender Care, Inc. professional nanny placement agency (1995-2005), child advocate, and parent coach.

I am now offering childcare in my home to children age newborn through 5 years old. I facilitate age appropriate free play, games, crafts, and other indoor and outdoor activities. I believe in providing children with the opportunity to explore and interact with their environment-'play' as defined in the old-fashioned sense-before the days of video games and computers. They will have access to kid books, play kitchen stuff, blocks, trucks, dolls, letters, numbers,small musical instruments and of course pots and pans and plastic-ware and boxes and empty paper towel rolls as they make the best toys of all! The children will not be using electronics or watching TV while they are in my care.

The Daily routine goes something like this:
Free Play
Game
Story time
Toilet Break/Wash hands
Snack
Dance/Exercise or play outside if weather dictates
Wash Hands
Lunch
Story time
Toilet Break/Wash Hands
Rest/Nap time w/soothing music
Art/Craft
Snack
Game
Free Play

I believe in providing kids with daily structure so that they know what to expect next as well as freedom within that structure-for example, playtime or lunch might be outside or inside depending upon the weather. I think there is no lesson more important than kindness to and respect for others. I use common sense discipline-for example if children are physically fighting over a toy, the toy goes into time out until we work out a plan to share. If a toddler hurts another, he/she is moved to a timeout for a few minutes depending on age.

I live on Fairmount at Caves Road on 3 acres. I have a 1000 square foot family room/library and separate bathroom dedicated area for childcare. We have a 'secret path' through our backyard to the playground at Westwood Elementary School. We have bubbles, balls, big wheel, tricycle, and a trampoline (that is ALWAYS supervised and the rule is ONLY 1 at a time).