Childcare Setup:

Cozy Corner offers a Playroom/Nap room, preschool program, USDA Food Program, Sensory Play (sand, water, beans and rice, etc.).  I also have a large fenced backyard with climbing structures; riding toys, play kitchen, basketball hoop and much more.  I live close to a neighborhood park where we enjoy walking to with the children during our outings.

About My Childcare:

I offer a small group daycare that provides love, encouragement and one on one attention that meets each child’s individual needs.  The children here are encouraged to explore, learn and imagine new and interesting things in their world.  I understand that a parent needs to send their child to a loving, safe environment. I believe children needs lots of love and care and the opportunity to explore their environment in a safe atmosphere. My childcare program gives children a variety of learning activities, such as arts and crafts, music and movement, games and stories.  I offer a preschool program from Adventures In Learning to help them prepare for kindergarten. It is my intent to be a teacher, caregiver, and provider for each child.  My childcare provides a warm and caring environment where their emotional, physical, social and educational development of children is supported and stimulated by providing quality childcare.  Coming from a background of being a preschool teacher for many years, I plan on including many of my techniques that I have learned.  My home is a Christian home and I plan to involve bible songs and stories into my curriculum.  We love to talk about Jesus and we say a prayer at meal times.  My program gives a child a chance to express themselves as individuals at their own pace and development.  I encourage them to be creative, enthusiastic and proud of their accomplishments.  This not only gives them a sense of pride but also does so without any restrictions or limits.  I teach them to respect others, to be kind to all, how to get along with other children and allow them independence, individuality and ways to express such.

Here are some examples of the types of activities my daily program offers:

ARTS AND CRAFTS: painting, coloring, scissors, glue, variety of paper, stickers and many other materials. I also have available play dough and other modeling clay.

SCIENCE: sensory table, baking, gardening, nature watching, outdoor activities, weather charting and more.

DRAMATIC PLAY: kitchen area, play house, climbing apparatus, dress up dolls, puppets, ride on toys, adventure sets, and a wide variety of other toys.

LANGUAGE AND REASONING: puzzles, various games, music, books, building toys, flannel board, nesting toys, and much much more.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES: bean table (sensory, sorting), bikes, climbing apparatus, and a variety of sports equipment.

OUTINGS: walks, local park visits, and other trips possibly related to preschool.
 

Sample Menu:

Breakfasts: USDA approved cereals, toast, pancakes, waffles, fruits, milk or juices.

Lunches:     Grilled cheese, chicken strips, spaghetti, meat and cheese sandwiches, hamburgers, tacos, fish sticks, hot dogs, and much more variety will be served.  Vegetables and fruits and milk or juice will also be served.

Snacks:        Graham crackers, apple slices, cheese slices, muffins, peanut butter toast, crackers, vegetables and dips, banana bread, coffee cakes, yogurt, English muffins, bagels, granola bars, trail mix (no nuts), pretzels, cookies, milk or juice or water.

A variety of fruits and vegetables in season will be served during meal and snack time.

Vegetables include: carrots, green beans, corn, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, lettuce, tomato, spinach, and potato.

Fruits may include: apple, banana, orange, pears, peaches, nectarines, grapes, strawberries, cherries, kiwi, melons, berries, and plums.

Children will be served what is on the menu for the day. It then becomes their choice as to whether they eat it or how much they eat.  I will not make something different for a child that decided they would not eat what we are serving.  A child that chooses not to eat will have to wait until snack time like the other children to eat.  If your child requires a special diet due to food allergies, medications, age and/or cultural or religious beliefs, it will be the responsibility of the parent to provide a well balanced breakfast, lunch and snack that meets the USDA food guide for the age of the child.  NO JUNK FOOD, SODA, GUM, CANDY, ETC.

My Feelings on Discipline:

Discipline is a word I hesitate to use because my beliefs concerning appropriate behavior are based on teaching children how to be responsible for themselves and their possessions and how to behave appropriately in a small group.  Children under three are not expected to share, but will learn to play gently beside each other.  I have a consistent rule based on common sense and courtesy and learning to express your feelings in words, not actions of aggression. Re-direction techniques are used whenever needed.  I treat the children with dignity and offer them appropriate choices to help them feel empowered.  They know they can depend on me to help them feel secure and to help solve any problem which may arise.  School age children are expected to behave appropriately for their level of development. I’ll be happy to discuss this further in a family conference if it becomes necessary.  Willful or deliberate destruction of property as a result of inappropriate behavior will require replacement by the parent.