We have a laid-back
atmosphere and the children enjoy our home as if it were theirs.
Welcome to Home
Away from Home Family Daycare. I decided to open a daycare home after
going through four baby sitters in a year and discovered that it was hard
finding care for my daughter. "Baby sitters" aren't daycare providers.
They are not very reliable or trained. I wanted to be someone parents
could count on being there when they needed quality care for their children.
In September 1983, I was open for business. I immediately joined
the
Baltimore County Family Daycare Association, the
Maryland State Child
Care Association and the
Child Care Food Program. I am also a member
of the
Maryland Committee for Children,
Child Locate (an organization that
helps locate child care for families), aka
Child Care Links. I also
am a lifetime member of
Red leaf Institute.
I am always continuing
my education by attending workshops and seminars intended for childcare
providers. These include topics on nutrition, food safety, health,
curriculums, as well as business related topics. I have a certificate
in Early Childhood Education and am currently working toward a degree.
Childcare
Providers and everyone living in the home have to go through rigorous criminal
background checks, fingerprinting, fire inspections, and health department
inspections before receiving their licenses. Everyone living in the home
must also have a physical. We are re licensed every two years.
This requires a new application and a visit from a licensing specialist.
We also have off year surprise visits from a licensing specialist. Fire
inspections are done yearly. We must have a first aid kit that is kept
well stocked. We must also have a substitute in case of an emergency.
However, I have three substitutes. One of my
substitutes is my mother-in-law, Irene (aka granny), and the other is my
daughter, Cara. My husband, Eddie, is also a substitute.
I keep in touch with
many of my past daycare children and I have enjoyed watching them grow
into young adults. I hope that your stay with us is an educational
and uplifting experience.

The House Where a Child is Loved
A battered old Teddy with only one eye
Sits on the living room chair,
Under the sofa hides one little shoe
That you've looked for everywhere.
There's mud on the carpet, along with the blocks
You pick up again and again,
And the small sticky print of a jam covered hand
Graces the clean windowpane.
The rooms may be cluttered, the furniture's worn
But there's gladness and laughter to share,
And the house where a child is welcomed and loved
Is the happiest home anywhere.

COME IN....
But don't expect to find
All dishes done, all floors a shine.
Observe the crumpled rug.
The toys galore,
The smudgy fingerprinted door.
The little ones I shelter here
Don't thrive on spotless atmosphere.
They're more inclined to disarray
And carefree, even messy play!
Their needs are great,
Their patience small.
All day, I'm at their beck and call.
It's "Come and Look! Come and see!"
Wiggly worms and red scraped knee.
Painted pictures, blocks piled high,
My floors, unshined,
The days go by.
Some future day they'll flee this nest
And I, at last, will take my rest.
And which REALLY matters more? A happy
child
Or a polished floor?

My
hands are small - I don't mean to spill my milk,
My legs
are short - Please slow down so I can keep up
Don't
slap my hands when I touch something bright and pretty- I don't understand
Please
look at me when I talk to you, Then I know you are really listening,
My
feelings are tender - don't nag me all day- let me make mistakes without feeling
stupid
Don't
expect what I do to be perfect - Just love me for trying
Remember I'm a child not a small adult -sometimes I don't understand what you
are saying
I love
you so much - please love me for just being me- not for the things I can do.