1. Meet with me after 6 pm (or on a weekend if prefered). At this time I can give out references, families can view my facility, policies and ask relevant questions regarding child care and proceedures. I will also give an enrollment packet which includes: 

 

a. Emergency Card.

b. Licensing Handouts (for families to keep)

c. Blue Immunization Card 

d. Child's Schedule Form

e. Handbook and Contract

f.  Parents Rights

g. Notice of Additional Children in Care

h. References and Business/Contact Card

 

2. If, after the interview, the family wishes to start they may schedule an observation during business hours.

 

IMPORTANT: The observation will be one hour, one time only. The reason for this is that when adults/new people are in the environent, it is very difficult for children to focus on activities and attention shifts to the visitors. We have some children who become over sensitized and act out inappropriately.

 

While the observation is taking place, I ask that there is no talking. I can meet with you either over the phone or after hours, but during your visit, I must focus on the children in care.

 

If, as a parent, you are concerned that you need to be here with your child to get them used to our environment, we can slowly adjust them by having them stay for a couple of hours at a time without you. If your child thinks that you will be staying it will make it harder for them to adjust to you leaving, (as will eventually be the case when they come on a more regular basis).

 

Parents of children enrolled in the program  may drop in at any time to visit, as long as it does not interfere with child care operations. Please keep in mind that it may be upsetting to your child when you have to leave for a second time.

 

I believe that when parents meet with me initially, recieve my references and spend the hour, they will be very well equipped to make a decision regarding child care. The website is also another great resource for further information about our facility.

 

 

 

 

1. How long have you been open? Since 2001.

2. Do you transport (drive) children? No.

3. How do I know what you feed the children daily? Menus are posted near the entrance, on the parent board. We also send home a daily report featuring many facets of your child's day, inluding meals.

4. Where will my child sleep? If your child is over 2 years old, I will provide a mat, sheet, small pillow and blanket. Mats are sanitized on a weekly basis. All mats are labeled and stored in a sanitary manner. Sheets and bedding are washed weekly in "Tide" and stored in child's cubby. Parents may opt to bring their own bedding if they wish. Children are always welcome to bring a special stuffed animal or special blanket. No toys please.

Infants are required by licensing, to sleep in a porta-crib/play pen (with a sheet) until they reach the age of 2 years. I can provide a crib or parents can bring their own from home.

5. Why did you choose child care as your profession? In the beginning I took a couple of classes in college and found that I really liked working with children. From there I began work in child care centers and then decided to open my own child care facility.

For me the best part about working with children is having the opportunity to give them skills to take into other environments: manners, vocabulary, self esteem, and the ability to be sucessful in a formal school environment. I love it when families come to me and say things like, my child is not afraid of firefighters because of what they learned with us, or that they are starting to sound out words in books. These things make it all worth while and very rewarding.

6. Are other adults in the house besides you? 

Primarily I and my assistant are the only one here during business hours. My Husband is here at times to fill in. He has taken adult/infant and child CPR  and he has criminal background clearance. Any adult (those 18 and over) has to have an FBI background check administered by the Department of Justice. If at anytime someone in the home has been arrested for any reason, licensing is notified, and at that time will evaluate whether or not the family child care home is to be closed. After licensing visits for any reason, a copy of thier findings must be posted near the entrance of the facility for 30 days. Also, parents must be made aware of adults who are excluded from the home by licensing. If you have any further questions please call licensing @ 875-2808.

Giving your child breast milk is one of the best gifts you can give to your child. I can prepare your pumped milk or you may come at any time to feed your child.

I have about 60 units, 40 of which are in Early Childhood Education (attained at Sacramento City College). If you would like to see all of the ECE Classes I have taken please click the "About Us" link.

We have a posted schedule near the entrance on the parent board, along with a copy of my family child care license and other very important information for parents. Families can also click the link on this site to view our daily schedule as well as our curriculum.

Infants need to be offered a stimulating environment, as they learn through their senses. I  use an infant curriulum through "High Reach" which places importance on communication (reading to infants, speaking, sharing) and offering opportunities to see, smell, hear and touch their environment. Parent newsletters are sent home monthly through this program as well as the daily reports that I provide to parents regarding what they ate/drank, diapering, etc.).

 

We also use "Simple Steps" Developmental Activities for Infants, Toddlers, and Two-Year-Olds. This program focuses on developing language, fine and gross motor skills, social skills, cognitive skills, music recognition and lots of sensory activities.

 

We also tailor some of our preschool curriculum to fit the developmental needs of the whole group; some of the activities posted for the week for older children can be simplified for younger children.