Free Play and Learning Activities

     We use a home-grown preschool curriculum that draws heavily from such proven methods as Montessori and Reggio Emilia. Our activities are play-based and developmentally appropriate, teaching children important preschool and kindergarten readiness skills while helping them learn about the world around them and develop strong social, emotional, and self-help skills. Each month we have a different theme--such as Beach, Jungle, Red, Weather, and Autumn, just to name a few. Our learning domains (or subject areas) include math, language, sensory, fine and gross motor, creative, and science. We also incorporate many sensory activities into our daily curriculum as well as social-emotional skills, practical life skills, and self-help skills.

Outside

     Weather permitting we spend quite a lot of time outside! As long as it's not raining or snowing too hard, and the temperature is above 35 degrees F, we try to get outside for at least a portion of our two "outside" times per day.

     On days when it's raining hard (and this means more than a light sprinkle; a few drops don't worry us!), snowing hard (a few flakes don't worry us either!), or too cold to go out, we will have more playtime! This is the kind of time when we tend to break out the Special toys and activities--have a dance party, put up a ball pit, fort-building, etc.

     What about heat? We aren't afraid of the heat, but we do stay inside when there is a heat advisory in effect. When there is no heat advisory and the temperature is right, we will have water play several times a week. Water activities include wading pool, sprinkler, and water table.

     Both our front yard and our back yard are fenced in. We have a sandbox, basketball hoop, swingset with 2 swings and a two-person glider, a slide, a playhouse, an outdoor play kitchen, and a large area in the backyard for riding tricycles, driving cozy coupes, and drawing with sidewalk chalk. We even have a roller coaster!

Snacks and Meals

     In addition to breakfast and lunch, a morning and an afternoon snack are provided each day. Snacks are just as healthy as the meals; I view snacks as "mini meals" and they are usually a fruit or veggie and some protein or grain item. Afternoon snacks are our chance to have a bit more fun, especially if everyone ate well that day! We will have "sweeter" snacks in the afternoons several time a week--a couple times a month we might bake cookies or have an extra-special snack that is sweeter/junkier than our norm. We believe that it's okay to have a treat sometimes and teach kids how to have those treats in balance with everything else.

     While I do not participate in the Federal Food Program at this time, I do try to follow their guidelines in terms of meal planning most of the time.

     We buy organic/local whenever we can and avoid high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, and artificial flavors.

Naps

     We feel that adequate rest is VERY important for the growing body and mind of the very young child. We take our naps as seriously as we take our play! Kids usually sleep better here than they do at home...we're not sure why but we suspect it has to do with how hard we play each day.

     Infants take two naps a day (the morning nap occurring from about 9 until 10:30, afternoon nap is 1 until 3) and toddlers nap once a day from 1 to 3. When a child is showing signs of having trouble with the afternoon nap, we will try dropping the morning nap. ALL children nap after lunch. Children nap in a Pack n' Play until around age 2, when they will transition to a cot.

     We have a dedicated room for napping--this allows children to fall asleep in a dark, cool environment. We use white noise (a CD of radio static) to help drown out sounds coming from outside the napping room. The white noise also helps them to stay asleep and get plenty of rest.

TV Time

     You might have noticed that there's not much room in that schedule up there for TV shows--this is because we rarely watch TV! There's too much else to do during the day. We do have occasional* movie days, occasional* shows that relate to a theme we are studying, and will sometimes turn on a show when we can't go outside (especially during the winter when we can't go out for weeks on end!) but it's never a regular part of our day. Early arrivals (before 7:30) might sometimes watch a show if they are having trouble staying quiet.

     My name is Aileen DeRan and I run a small family child care in the Westerville/Easton area. I watch a maximum of 4 children in addition to my own 2. I also have a B.A. in Early Childhood Development and Education and am certified in CPR and First Aid by the Red Cross.

     We run a very child-centered program, building activities off the children's interests and supporting every child in developing at their own speed. My home has a large playroom and a large fenced backyard, both with plenty of toys for all ages and stages! Meals and snacks are included with the weekly rate and are always healthy and as natural/organic as I can reasonably manage.

     I can't wait to hear from you to share more information about my child care program! Please check us out on the web, or drop me a phone call or email!