Frequently Asked Questions

Are you licensed?
Yes! I am a licensed in-home provider.

How long have you been a provider?
This is my fourth year as a daycare provider.

Do you have pets?

We have two birds. Under licensing regulations, they are in a plexiglass bird cage and are out of reach of the children.

Are you a smoker?

No! Smoking is not allowed on the premises.

Do you have references?

Yes, but I will only give out names and numbers during the interview process.

What type of education do you have?

I do not have a college degree, but I have complied with all licensing regulations. I take training as required and am CPR/First Aid Certified.

Is your daycare structured or more free flowing?

My day is fairly structured with a daily rhythm that allows for flexibility.

Do you offer regular outdoor play?

Totally! I aim to get the children outside every day, no matter the weather or season.

How flexible are you with pick-up/drop-off times? Is there a late pick-up fee?

Depending how often being late is happening, I may allow a five-minute grace period. See policy book for more on the late fees.

Will I receive a daily report? Will you send photos/texts throughout the day?
Yes! I will require you to download the “Brightwheel” app upon enrollment! Through this app I will be able to contact all parents, they will be able to contact me as well, I will post activities, updates, photos for all children, and I will be able to handle/keep track of payments for all parents in one place. It will allow me to be on my phone as minimal as possible while allowing each parent to check on their own child throughout the day.

What is your philosophy on discipline? How do you comfort children?

Discipline and guidance will center around respect and responsibility. Each child is expected to be a respectful, responsible member of the group. This ranges from children cleaning up their own “messes” to using manners and politeness when speaking with the provider, parents, and each other.

I follow the “1-2-3, time in” procedure. The child will get two warnings upon the first and second instances of the child not acting safely or being irresponsible/disrespectful. If the child continues the action that is not acceptable, the child will receive a third strike and a time-in. It is explained to the child as “when you cannot be safe with yourself and your friends/when you cannot play nicely, you must step away”. The child will be removed from the group and asked to sit beside me. They will be asked to sit for a few short minutes to calm down, think about what behaviors are OK. The time-ins will last the amount of time that corresponds with the child’s age (for example, if the child is 3, they will get a 3-minute time-in). Before rejoining the group, we will briefly discuss what appropriate behaviors will need to be used to be a part of the group again.

Under no circumstances will I ever subject your child to physical punishment, fear, or humiliation. If the child is out of control, I will call you to come pick up him/her.

Is your CPR and First Aid training up to date?
Yes! Always! You can find it hanging on the Parent Bulletin Board in the entryway, and I will be sure to have it updated every year, to every two years!

Who else lives in the house? Have they had a police/background check as well?

My husband is required to have all background checks/fingerprinting, etc. as well. There will be no-one else in the home during daycare hours and all doors will be locked, always.

Is the indoor play area childproofed?
Yes! I am a licensed daycare provider, meaning that there are requirements that I must follow, such as screwing the bookshelf to the wall, making sure rugs are taped down, and baby gates are used, in order to stay licensed. Random drop-ins are done by a social worker to be sure that I am staying consistent!

When the children play outside, where will they go? Will you be taking them for walks/field trips?This Little Home of Mine does not provide vehicle transportation for children at any time. Wherever we go, we walk. Outside in the backyard, the children play in a natural playscape that includes a gathering area, walkways through the garden, flower gardens, grassy open areas for large motor play, bird feeders, veggie garden/compost, tree parts, and forts. Out on the trails, children hike, free play on the bedrock, and explore amongst the trees.

Do you let the children watch television? How much screen time will they be getting?
I will only turn on the TV during nap time/quiet time, (for rainy window sounds) and yoga. (Cosmic Kids via YouTube.)

Do you feed babies on demand or by schedule?
I am a huge believer in listening to the body’s natural hunger cues. If you have a schedule, I may attempt to follow it somewhat but cannot promise to follow it strictly.

What is the process for enrollment?

Once a family has sent in an interest form, then provided their child meets the age requirements, I will arrange a private tour. Following the tour, if the family is still interested, then I will determine acceptance on a best-fit basis.

Is there a waiting list?

I currently have a large number of families interested in enrolling their children in This Little Home of Mine. Therefor, I will hold on to all interest forms that are sent in as a means to create a "wait list". Once a spot has opened, I will assess each interest form, in order to confirm the age of the child(ren) applying.

Is this a preschool? Do you have a preschool curriculum?

While this is a "non-academic" program, and my main focus is creating a rich, lively, play based, and life skills-based program, my approach to education will be introduced through songs, verses, and stories. I will not be "teaching" the children to read or write but may "cover" the alphabet lightly through free play.

My child has an allergy, can this be accommodated?

This is not an allergen-free facility. However, if your child has an allergy or dietary restriction, I will be more than willing to work with you in order to accommodate your child to the best of my ability!

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