Smith Family Daycare Home
About Myself
Hello, everyone, my name is Alisa Smith. I have been married for thirty-four years and have two wonderful children: thirty-two and twenty-four. I started doing child care twenty-nine years ago. I am so glad and thankful I made that choice.
I gave up my career as a Dental Assistant and became a Child Care Provider to be closer to my children. I have worked very hard in making a beautiful and stimulating atmosphere for my day care children. Child care has been very rewarding and I enjoy every moment I spend with the kids. I love teaching them and giving them the very best. I provide a lot of one-on-one attention.
My entire classroom is set up to enhance learning. I have put a tremendous amount of attention into creating the most loving Child Care home available, from the toys to the chairs. Much heart was put into it all. I would want no less for my child care kids. Most of the toys I have purchased are from Lakeshore Learning. The quality and attention to learning is unsurpassed.
My Goal
As a Child care provider, my goal is to provide your child with a safe, warm, loving and nurturing home-away-from home and to provide you with peace of mind. I offer a fun and energetic environment where your child can learn, laugh and grow each day.
A curriculum is used to insure that every day is a learning experience for your child and not just an extended playtime. Daily preschool activities include: ABC's, 123's, colors, shapes, circle time, weather, singing, story time and more.
The children are offered more then the standard type of children's songs. They enjoy listening to: opera, classical Impressionist music, as well as classic children songs. My children are not offered television. Once a month we enjoy a movie day that includes popcorn and snacks. Alongside birthdays and holidays, we have parties for any and every reason just because we can and it's a lot of fun.
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I am committed to working within each child's comfort zone to ensure optimal social, emotional and educational results. I love teaching the children the basic skills preparing them for school. I never expect or force them to do more than they are ready to do. The bond and true loving connection I build with my children lasts forever. They all know that Mrs. Alisa loves them and will always treat them like family. Everything in my child care is personal. Long lasting friendships are encouraged with memories they will never lose of good times with friends.
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I offer care for ages 17 months and older. Because of the teaching aspect of what I offer, I will not go any younger than 17 months old. This allows for a more consistent atmosphere of learning and play within one age group.
Our
Story
Curriculum
For my preschoolers and pre-kindergarten children, I use what I consider to be the very best curriculum out there: ABEKA. The Abeka curriculum is used in many private schools. Abeka nursery books help my preschoolers with their listening skills, following directions, and practicing hand-eye coordination. They also learn how to recognize and write numbers 1-50. The four year old kindergarten books help my pre-K kids with phonics instruction. They learn and review vowel and consonant sounds, blends, one and two vowel words, words with special sounds, and sentence comprehension. They also learn simple addition and subtraction combinations, number words. Children love the activities and because of the balance between learning and fun they always look forward to doing them. That is what makes it a step above the rest. I also use other resources from time to time.
Discipline
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Behavior Management & Discipline:
My philosophy is that you use discipline to teach a child. I achieve this through love, consistency, and firmness. The children are explained the rules of the daycare frequently so that they know the guidelines. Once a child understands the rules and disobeys them, hurts others or property, the following developmentally appropriate guidance techniques will be used. These techniques are as follows:
1. Positive Reinforcement: The child will be encouraged when he/she is demonstrating acceptable behavior.
2. Redirection: The child is redirected to another activity and given an opportunity to try again at another time.
3. Time out: The child is separated from the group for a child-regulated period of time. This technique is used only when a child is exhibiting temper tantrum type behavior or hurting self, others, or equipment. When the child shows that he/she is ready to demonstrate acceptable behavior, they are encouraged to join the rest of the group and try again.
*Sometimes, if both a parent and a provider are both in the same area (ex. drop-off, pick up, parties, etc.) a child may forget the rules, or test the boundaries. Please help show your child that you respect me, the rules of my house, and my property by reminding them that the rules still apply when you are around. I will also remind them of the rules and, correct them if needed.
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Child abuse:
I am required by law to report to the local Social Services Office of any suspected physical, emotional, sexual or suspected abuse or neglect.
Health
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Meals:
Breakfast, for children arriving prior to 8:30 a.m, lunch and afternoon snack will be served. The children are offered the food, not forced to eat. Children who choose not to eat will not be served additional food until the next mealtime. Please do not send food (half-eaten breakfasts, candy found in the car, etc.) or gum with the children.
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Special Diets:
If a child has a particular dietary need, substantiated by a medical evaluation, I must be informed and given a doctor's note. Substitute meals or snacks may then be brought from home.
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Potty training:
I will be more than happy to help with potty training provided that it is not done before the child is ready. Parents are asked to initiate the training at home (on vacation or weekend) before starting it at daycare. Once training is initiated, parents are to supply 5 ply-training pants with plastic pants or pull-ups.
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Diaper Changes:
Diapers are checked and changed every 1 1/2 - 2 hours or more frequently if required. Each child will be diapered after waking up from their nap. Hand washing of myself and child is performed after each change.
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Health Matters:
Please do not bring your child if he/she is sick; I can only care for children with mild cold like symptoms (clear runny nose, slight cough, and absolutely no fever). Per Health Department regulations, children will not be allowed to attend the daycare if they exhibit symptoms such as:
*Rash *Fever (100.4 F. higher) *Excessive cold and/or cough *Vomiting *Diarrhea *Lice or nits *Discharge from eyes or ears *Unusual drowsiness *Persistent or excessive crying *Communicable diseases (chicken pox, roseola, conjunctivitis "Pink Eye", mumps, measles, influenza)
If they become ill during daycare hours - parents will be contacted immediately to remove their child within 1 hour of being notified. It is your responsibility to either come get your child or make arraignments to have someone come get your child for you. If parents are not available, the emergency contact person will then be notified. If the parent fails to come and remove there child from the home an hour from the time of contact a $20.00 fee will be charged. Once the child is removed from daycare due to illness, they may not return for a full 24-hour period, or be accompanied by a doctor's note.
Note: This sickness policy applies to my family or myself as well. If I am unavailable due to illness, you will be notified by 6:00 am. If your child has a fever and you give them Tylenol and the fever goes down, this does not mean you may bring your child to day care. We all must respect each other and not put others at risk. Sick children need to be at home in their own beds getting well.
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Medication:
I can administer medication if needed, but only if the Medication Consent Form has been signed. All medicine must be in the original container with the child's name clearly written on it. Written instructions with the child's name, dose and times, needs to accompany the medication.
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Medical emergencies:
In case of a serious accident or sudden illness requiring medical attention, the following procedures are followed:
1) A phone call is made to 911.
2) Child's parents (or emergency contacts) are called.
* For minor injuries like bumps and bruises, I will provide home first aid. If the injury is more serious, (I.e. needs stitches, broken arm, or dislocation, etc.) the parent will be notified immediately. Parents will be responsible for all costs involved in emergency medical treatment, including emergency transportation if required.
My Education
I received and completed training in :
Family Child Care Home (30 Hr)
Early Literacy for Children Age Birth to Three.
Basic Guidance and Discipline
Child Growth and Development
Computer Technology for Child Care Professionals-
Early Childhood Computer Learning Centers
Health, Safety and Nutrition
Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
Special Needs Appropriate Practices
Family Child Care Home Rules & Regulations
CPR / First Aid