(for parents to decide)

We provide 3 each of most toys. We rotate our toys regularly have a wide variety, most have been purchased from early learning stores, such as Lakeshore. (www.lakeshore.com)

All toys are at a child’s reach or accessible. We rotate toys on a regular basis and art supplies are available as well.

Yes. We have weekly themes and activities that go with each theme. The areas we plan are music and movement, art, gross and fine motor, science, math, language and phonics, cooking, gardening, and social/emotional.

Infants and toddlers are given activities appropriate for their age to stimulate sharing, social skills, language etc. All plans are posted and every Monday parents are given a newsletter with outlined activities.

Television is watched seldomly, as we are very busy during the day with activities. We will occasionally work on learning computer games and hope to add computers into the curriculum soon.

We serve families of children ages 6 weeks to Kindergarten.

Children are offered a lot of props and open ended supplies, in this way the materials are there for children to use their imagination. We also have story time, sometimes children wish to pretend or act out a story and provider tries to “Extend” and expand language during this play.

That is up to families to observe. We think they will. It is not unusual for children to want to come in the morning and want to stay when their families arrive J

We have purchased all of the toys with the ages of the children in mind. As A provider, I am aware of most of the developmental abilities of different ages. At times I will give a child a toy or activity that is just outside of their abilities and offer just enough help for them to be successful, scaffolding and helping them learn new skills.

We have a ratio of 1 Adult to every 5 children; Licensing standard is one adult to every 7 children. During the hours of 9:30 and 11am we split up into groups and children learn and play on a more intimate level; they receive a lot of one-on-one time with their assigned teacher. Infants and toddlers are responded to immediately and held throughout the day. At rest time (between 12:30-2:30), children have stories read to them and their backs rubbed if they wish). All conflicts are dealt with on the child’s level, giving assistance only when it seems children need help.

This is up to the parents to decide. My husband built the play structure and borders in the back yard and maintains them. If toys are broken, we toss them in order to avoid the possibility of a child being hurt.

Yes. I have all of my certification posted on the parent board for families to review anytime.

Yes. If a child is injured outside of the scope of my abilities, 911 is called and given a copy of the child’s Emergency card which houses all of contacts and medical information. Next, the parents/guardians are notified in regard to the nature of the injury and where their child was transported.

Yes. The County Fire Marshall in cooperation with Day Care licensing has made it mandatory for providers who hold a large family child care license to conduct monthly fire drills and post them in view. Ours are located on the parent board.

Yes. We have no pools or ponds.

We have 2 unobstructed fire exits which have evacuation plans posted near them, all of our window coverings have been treated with fire retardant solution and we have a fully charged fire extinguisher.

Yes. A child may not attend our facility if they show signs of having a communicable illness. Some of the common signs we may send a child home for are: Fever over 101 degrees, vomiting, diarrhea more than 2 times in one day, any suspicious looking or unidentified rashes, open areas of the skin containing pus, signs of pink eye or lice, or any symptom which keeps child from comfortably participating in our activities.

We have 3 indoor sinks and 1 outdoor sink for washing anytime needed. Some of the times it is mandatory to wash hands are: after coughing or sneezing, before and after meals, after art , before and after cooking, any time they are dirty, after handling animals, when hands have bodily fluids on them or we have just used the bathroom.

All prescribed medications must come in the original bottle and have a permission slip signed by the parent/guardian for me to administer them. They are stored in a locked box, either in or on top of the refrigerator (depending on whether the medication needs to be kept cold).

All over the counter medications must have a signed note from the parent/guardian on file.

Every hour and a half and as needed.

Yes. We have plastic rest mats that are sanitized weekly. Children have individual sheets and blankets and we place them in the front room at least 2 and a half feet apart.

No. I understand that some families are really looking for a day care that will transport, but we feel that it is a huge liability and the parents know when they are not in cars, I am not taking them on unnecessary errands that do not pertain to care.

We have rules that outline inappropriate behaviors. Children are told if something is not okay, such as hitting or touching things that are not for the children in care. Most of our environment has been set up with the children in mind; things are at their level. At times children want to test and we keep reminding them. Some of the ways we deal with inappropriate behaviors are redirecting to another activity, we use “I” sentences and work with children in conflict to use words (which is not always easy for a child when they are upset).

We are very clear in what we want rather than what we do not want: “I want you to walk away from your friend,” rather than, “I don’t want to hit your friend.” We always speak to the desired behavior.

Hitting and bullying are not allowed. We understand that children are in the process of learning the appropriate behaviors. Some children have older sibling or have learned these behaviors from others. We try to help children empathize with one another and let them know that it hurts when we are unkind.

Same as above; no. I address children and families in the way that I want to be spoken to and the way I would like to hear others speak to me. Every thing I say and do can and does get imitated by others, as children are like sponges, learning all the time. The only time I would shout is if there were something of immediate danger to one of the children; they know when I raise my voice that something must REALLY be wrong. I also feel that if I am always yelling and being loud, when I need to say something, no one will take notice because it would be no different than how I usually talk.

We give tons of praise for things we notice children doing! “I noticed that you made it up the rock wall by yourself!” We only reward the behavior we want by praising it, not the behavior we do not.

This is for parents to decide.

Yes, on parent board.

Our menu follows the USDA guidelines for balanced meals and snacks. We receive a stipend from Beanstalk every month based on attendance and that we are following the guidelines.

We take pride in serving nutritious foods daily. Parents know that when their child has been here during the day that they have eaten well. We provide copies of each weeks menu on request and note it on a daily report for infants (under the age of 1)

Absolutely. As a provider I understand that there are not only religious restrictions that may discount some different types of meat and seafood, but there are also other reasons a family may request a alternate food; personal choice, family history of allergies, cultural beliefs, and other factors.

Children are never forced to eat. I want them to form healthy attitudes around eating, excitement for trying new things; forcing children to eat destroys this. Sometimes a child may refuse a food because of an unknown allergy. A lot of encouragement is offered to try things and because children are offered to serve their own meals, they usually eat what they take.

Additionally, children go through times in their development that they just plain do not eat as much. The same child that refuses to eat a thing on their plate, will come back two weeks later to eat the same foods and finish everything.

I think most of us can go back and remember something that we didn’t want to eat as children, It would be very upsetting to have someone force us to eat these things.

Children respond the best to respectful communication at eye level.

This is for parents to decide

By observing the behaviors and letting the child know we are seeing them. I like to give children leadership opportunities when appropriate; to help with circle or “read” a story, dry hands at lunch, etc.

Children, especially between the ages of 2 and 4, are discovering their power and that they can do some things for themselves. Some are trying to dress themselves, put shoes on, open doors, take things out and put them away by themselves.

I offer a lot of open ended activities that give children choices especially at art and during small group time.

Yes. Infants and toddlers are at a stage in their life where they are beginning to trust the world around them; if they cannot trust adults to care about them then they begin to distrust their environment. Babies are very social and need the closeness of and adult.

Yes, and on occasion, we may have a substitute. That would be rarely.

I take classes though Sacramento City college and Child Action. I belong to three organizations directly related to my field: Solutions Providers Network, Family Child Care Providers Inc., and N.A.E.Y.C. (the national association for the education of young children). I also have about 50 Early childhood education college units.

If I have to take time off I will either find a substitute or schedule it off at least 3 weeks to a month in advance.

I try to eat a balanced diet, and take walks with my dogs at night. I have interests such as making jewelry and drawing that help me rejuvenate. I also like to read and take classes.

Yes. I cannot be a successful provider if I am not working with the family as a team.

Yes. All caregivers must allow parents to visit at any time. Some children become very upset when parent has to leave for a second time. The best way to handle this is to reassure their child that they will be back after work , give them a kiss and go. If they are crying at the time their parent leaves, it usually stops within a few moments.

I will always relay any information that I come across to families, as well as up coming events that may be of interest. Often times, this can be found on the parent board.

There are many ways to stay in communication, conferencing over the phone or after hours and notes home. I ask that conversation during drop off and pick up be kept to about 5 minutes, because small ears are listening and know that adults are preoccupied, rather than focusing on them.

Weekly reports are sent home on Mondays for ages 2-5 and infant reports are sent home daily.

To the left of parent board.

Key locked in the garage.

We have been working on our environment and practices through the Family Child Care Rating Scale administered through Child Action and a Director Mentoring Program

We require that all authorizations be made in writing prior to pick up; no one under the age of 18 will be allowed to pick up a child, and all authorized pick persons will have to show picture identification.