Im a mommy to 3 amazing little humans and a wife to ther even more amazing daddy :) I am also a Registered Early Childhood Educator. A little about how Little Explorers came to be....
I was working in a local daycare center in st catharines for 12 plus years. It wasnt until my youngest child started at the same center I worked in I decided to relook my life. I absolutely LOVE what I do. But by the time I paid for 3 children in daycare, I found I was working hard just to pay daycare. We had just moved into a new house 2 years prior and it had an unfinished basement. When I brought up to my amazingly supportive husband how stressed I was becoming, trying to pay bills, being the involved mom I wanted to be, working full time,cleaning the house, and being a wife (the list goes on and on as most parents know) Mike suggested I do a home daycare. He offered to turn our lower level into a daycare. And boy oh boy did he ever!! In 2 months he transformed the concrete walls and floors into something magical!!!! I am sooo extremely blessed to have this space as my home, daycare, my job. So much learning, exploring, playing, creating and loving happen in this daycare space. And I couldn't be happier!!! About the Child Care Center
At Little Explorers Child Care We offer 2 snacks and a home cooked lunch with dessert everyday. We also have outdoor time, creative time, fine motor and gross motor activities, nap/rest time, a dramatic play area, a quiet cozy area, a building and manipulative area, puzzles, books, music, learning circle, songs, games, neighbourhood walks, washroom routines. Each child will also get a locker to keep their belongings. ADMISSIONS
Children from 6 months until 12 years of age will be admitted for full day care. FEES
Full Day- $50/day
HOURS OF CARE PROVIDED
730am-430pm
BACK UP CARE (ONLY OFFERED TO PRIVATE FAMILIES)
In the event of day care closures because of my own personal reason, I will offer a back up provider at Little Explorers Child Care. I will arrange an interview with the parents and my back up provider. Daycare hours will stay the same. Normal fees will stay the same. The back up provider will stick to my menus and schedule that I have displayed and provided. The back up provider will also be informed of any food restrictions and allergies your child may have. I will have these posted in the lunch area. If you choose not to use my back up provider and keep your child home, you will not be charged for this day. My back up provider will provide Little Explorers Child Care with a criminal reference check and I will have this displayed on the Parent Information Board. STATUTORY HOLIDAYS/CLOSURES
New Years Day Family Day Boxing Day
Good Friday Easter Monday
Victoria Day Canada Day
Civic Holiday Labour Day
Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day
Fee payment is required for all statutory holidays. MEALS/NUTRITION
Little Explorers Child Care offers a variety of nutritious foods for lunch and snacks. Food selected promotes good health and follows the Canada’s Food Health Guide and provides an opportunity for children to try new foods and establish ongoing positive eating habits. Weekly snack and lunch menus will be displayed on the Parent Information Board. If your child has any food restrictions or allergies it is your responsibility to inform me. PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Please make sure your child comes to care wearing appropriate clothing for play. We do go outside twice a day. So items like, boots, outdoor shoes, mud pants, rain coats, sun hats, winter coats, winter boots, hats, mitts, snow pants etc are required. Please label all your child’s items so there is less confusion in the case were other children may have the same item. Parents must provide sunscreen and apply it in the morning before care. I will reapply before we go outside in the afternoon. Please bring an extra set of clothes to keep at daycare incase of accident or spill. Parents are to supply diapers. I will supply the diaper wipes. If your child has to use a certain brand of wipes due to allergies or sensitivity, parents must supply the wipes. If your child is ill, they must be kept at home. If your child has vomited or has had diarrhea or a high fever, they are to stay home for at least 24 hours after the last episode. If your child becomes ill while at daycare, a call to the parent for immediate pick up will be made. If after 3 failed attempts to call the parent, the numbers on the emergency contact list will be called. Children will be released only to the people or person specified on the registration form, unless otherwise notified. Personal toys, books, etc are difficult to share, I ask that you please keep these items at home. If your child sleeps with a special blanket or soother I ask that you please label it and keep it at daycare. SLEEP AND QUIET TIME
Children are encouraged to lie quietly on their cots with their blankets. Some children sleep, while others just rest. Sleep time is approximately 12-2. If children do not fall asleep after 1 hour, they are permitted to get off their beds and find a quiet activity to do. MY PROMISE AS A CHILD CARE PROVIDER
I promise to love, care, provide, educate and help raise your child to reach their full potential along side with you. I promise to give your child reasonable limits, positive reinforcement, freedom to choose and a chance to learn through play. I promise to help your child self regulate and self discipline through the use of their choices and logical consequences. I promise to provide an environment that is safe, free from harm, supervised, nurturing, healthy and will encourage your child to explore and learn at their developmental level. I believe children learn the most when they feel safe, secure, confident and independent. I promise to give your child my full attention. I promise to laugh, sing, play, create, explore, guide, role model, and set a good example. I promise to listen to them, and learn from them. I promise to encourage, understand, ask their opinions, remind them it’s ok to make mistakes, admit when I’m wrong and apologize. I promise to hand their art work and their accomplishments. I promise to smile, even when I’m tired. I promise to love them like my own and honour their differences. I promise to show and teach respect. I promise to always remember they are loved so much and they are someone’s treasures!!
