Free To Be Me Childcare

My Mission

I will provide your child a safe and loving environment. I want to help children grow
physically, emotionally and socially, at their own pace. Since there is a broad range of behaviors exhibited by children. What works for some may not for others. I will tailor my approach to accommodate the needs of the individual child. That is where the name
"Free To Be Me"comes into play.

My Goals

To make each child's daycare experience a positive, happy one. To stimulate each child's thinking and reasoning skills.To help each child learn to solve problems and make
decisions and choices that are morally appropriate. To help each child recognize the rights, feelings and property of others.To
encourage sharing and cooperation.To promote a sense of belonging and cooperation.

To help prepare preschool age children for a successful transition to Kindergarten.

The Childcare Provider

Although I'm not their mother,
I care for them each day.
I cuddle, sing, and read to them,
And watch them as they play.
I see each new accomplishment,
and help them grow and learn,
I understand their language,
and I listen with concern.
They come to me for comfort,
And I kiss away their tears.
They proudly show their work to me,
I give the loudest cheers!
No, I am not their mother,
But my role is just as strong.
I nurture them and keep them safe,
Though maybe not for long.
I know someday the time may come,
When we will have to part,
But I know each child I've cared for
Is forever in my heart!
~author unknown

A Tribute to Childcare providers

There is no job more important than ours,
no job anywhere else in the land.
We are the keepers of the future;
we hold the smallest of hands.

Into our care we are trusted
to nurture and care for the young,
and for all of our everyday heroics,
our talents and skills go unsung.

We wipe tears from the eyes of the injured.
We rock babies brand new in our arms.
We encourage the shy and unsure child.
We make sure they are safe from all harm.

We foster the bonds of friendships,
letting no child go away mad.
We respect and we honor their emotions.
We give hugs to each child when they're sad.

We have more impact than does a professor,
a child's mind is molded by four;
so whatever we lay on the table
is whatever that child will explore.

Give each child the tools for adventure,
let them be artists and writers and more;
let them fly in the wind and dance on the stars
and build castles of sand on the shore.

It is true that we don't make much money
and we don't get a whole lot of praise,
but when one small child says, "I love you,"
we're reminded of how this job pays.

Family Childcare: Another Alternative

In a society where the majority of mothers and fathers are working outside the home, the need for quality childcare is growing at a rapid pace. A large contingent of the population is beginning to realize that center-based daycare is not their only option. Since it is now being acknowledged that the first three years of a child's life are the most important of their formative years, parents of young children are discovering that family child care can provide the individualized attention that children of this age need.

Just what is family childcare? In short, it is childcare that is offered in the provider's home. . Quality providers are entrepreneurs who take pride in their small businesses and continually challenge themselves to remain at the leading edge of the child care profession.

One of the major benefits family childcare offers that center-based care simply cannot is a small group. Any parent of a young child knows that the fewer people their child is exposed to--the less likely they are to become ill.

More and more often, parents are choosing family child care because they know that increased time and attention can be tailor-made for their children. It allows small groupings in an atmosphere resembling their own homes, and its flexible scheduling adapts to each family’’s individual needs. Due to the low ratio of children to begin with, and the even lower number of infants allowed. Parents can really appreciate the individualized attention that is offered in these homes, and know that what is being offered really is serving their child's best interests.

Another major benefit is the consistency of the caregiver. In centers--where minimum wages are the industry standard--it can be detrimental for a child to become attached to their caregiver and then have that employee leave. In contrast, since the family childcare provider runs a business from her home, parents can rest assured that their child can go from infancy to kindergarten with the same caregiver.