CARTOON CARE Family Home Daycare Virginia Beach, VA 23462

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CARTOON CARE FAMILY HOME DAYCARE

CARTOON CARE FAMILY HOME DAYCARE
Newtown Rd/Diamond Springs Rd/Baker Rd/VA Wesleyan Area
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Owner/Provider: Ksenia Brewster
Type of Center: Family Home Daycare
Email Address: cartooncare@verizon.net
Phone Number: 757-339-3335
Hours: days, evenings, overnights and weekends
Age Groups: 12 months to 5 years (flexible)
License #: not given

DESCRIPTION:

I offer child care for children from 12 months to 5 years and early childhood education basics in a safe Christian environment, where children can play, learn about the world around them, interact with their peers, and have fun! I'll take care of their daily needs and also stimulate children’s cognitive, emotional and physical development, provide a warm, loving environment where children will build confidence in themselves and develop positive and trusting relationships.

I provide care in a classroom solely designed for childcare full of age-appropriate toys and activity centers. My home is smoke and pet free and completely childproof. I have a large fenced in back yard and a variety of outdoor equipment for different developmental stages.

My schedule balances active and quite time, includes outside time (when the weather permits), creative arts and music time, children’s educative videos, story time, discovery and sensory activities and much much more! I do not have a full-time assistant, but will never accept children beyond my capacity, that is why I work with small group of children, which allows me to bond with every baby in my care and to give them a sense of security, to help them build stronger personalities, guide them throughout the day, teach them to share and get along, be patient and attentive to other children’s feelings and also support children as individuals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

My name is Ksenia; I am a mother to a wonderful baby-boy Nicholas, who is in my care daily. I am a student, working my way to a degree in Early Childhood Education. I absolutely love working with children, I’ve been babysitting my siblings as long as I can remember, but my son helped me discover the genuine passion. It is exciting, rewarding and challenging and I truly love and enjoy what I do.

I have extensive health care training in CPR and First Aid, I have a recent background check for my husband and myself. My home is equipped with a fire extinguisher and is safe and smoke-free.

PHILOSOPHY:

I'd like to share my philosophy with you because together we will be helping your child grow and learn. I want you to feel that you are a part of your child’s life here and to understand more about what we do every day.

In my program, I use The Creative Curriculum for Family Child Care. Its philosophy is that children should be allowed to grow at their own pace and to learn in ways that help them become confident in themselves as learners. The curriculum has 2 goals:

* To help children learn about themselves and the world around them
* To encourage children to feel good about themselves and capable as learners.

These goals guide everything I do in my program.

For example, I have organized my home to make it a safe place for children to explore and to learn. I keep the children’s toys and material on low shelves, in low and easy-to-open drawers, or on a blanket on the floor. This makes it easier for the children to find and play with the toys they like. It helps them learn how to make choices and be independent. All children also have a place to keep their jackets, blankets, and pictures to bring home. This lets them know they are a valued part of my family child care home.

When you visit, you will notice that we have a schedule that we follow. This lets children know what comes when. It helps them feel secure when they know that every day I will read to them before naptime or that after snack we go outside. The schedule also allows for the times when we all do things together such as music and story time, and times when the children are doing things on their own, such as coloring and playing with toys.

I plan many activities for the children. We build with blocks, dress up and make-believe, put puzzles together, read books, tell stories play with sand and water, draw and paint, cook, dance to music, and play outdoors. All the activities are aimed at helping the children learn new things and feel good about what they can do. I encourage the children to do things on their own and to be curious and interested in all that’s going on around them. I talk to them, ask questions, and answer their questions to help them learn new words and to express their ideas and feelings. All activities in my curriculum are age-appropriate, but I do encourage younger children participate if I feel they can learn by watching older children and then join under my close supervision.

I value working in a partnership with parents. Many of the things we do here are activities that you can do at home. I’d be glad to share my curriculum with you and to have you contribute to our program in any ways that you like.

REGISTRATION:

Before I will assume responsibility of caring for your child I ‘m required by State Regulations to have the following:

* A copy of Physical examination results obtained on each child before or within 30 days after enrollment;

*and up-to-date immunization records on each child in care unless I have a statement of medical or religious exemption;

*The parent’s signed authorization for the child’s emergency medical treatment and written consent for giving medications;

*Names of persons authorized to visit or call for the child, as well as those who are not to visit or call for the child.

*The emergency contact information.

*A written agreement made between the family day provider and the parent, guardian or other responsible person. The agreement may cover hours of care per week; cost of care per week; frequency and amount of payment per week.

TUITION:

Tuition is due weekly on Friday for the following week; tuition for child’s 1st week in my care is due upon signing the child care agreement.

I realize the financial burden that childcare places on parents, and hope parents understand that as a business childcare places financial burdens on the provider. These include, but are not limited to groceries, utilities, insurance, programming, toys and equipment. I also have a financial responsibility to my family. If fees are not received when due, a $5.00/per day charge will be applied to the amount owing. This charge will be in effect and no care will be provided until all tuition plus late charges are paid in full. I will take all outstanding accounts to court and collections. Should it be necessary, parent/guardian is responsible for all court costs. There is an extra fee of $5.00 per child for every fifteen minutes or portion thereof that your child is dropped off earlier than their contracted arrival time (without prior approval) and for children not picked-up by their contracted pick-up time.

Checks: There will be a $25.00 charge for all checks returned N.S.F. plus any additional charges incurred to myself and/or by the bank. Parents who have at least one N.S.F. check will be required to pay by cash or money order. Rates vary by age, please call 757-339-3335 for more information.

MEALS & MENUS:

In accordance with USDA standards I provide healthy nutritious meals (breakfast and lunch) and 2 snacks (mid-morning and afternoon).

Menu is always displayed on the parents’ board.

Breakfast includes milk, fruit or vegetable, grain or bread. Lunch includes milk, 2 different servings of fruit or vegetable, grain or bread and meat or meat alternate. Snacks include 2 of the following items: milk, fruit or vegetable, grain/bread, or meat/meat alternate.

PARENT INFORMATION:

While in my care only positive encouragement is enforced. Children will NOT be subject to spanking, hitting, kicking, restraint, or to, verbal, emotional, or physical punishment. I believe the most effective ways of enforcing positive behaviors are: Praise, Respect, Re-Direction, and Positive Re-Enforcement. I use strategies to engage children in their own problem solving. During conflict it is important for children to feel respected, secure, loved, important and special. They need to know I am always available to listen and help, not to judge.

My goal is to coach the children so they can negotiate, compromise, brainstorm and work it out together. I do not believe in “adult initiated” time outs, as I feel when used punitively it takes away from a valuable teaching experience. I will only place a child in time out if I feel that they are a threat to the safety and well being of themselves or others.

CURRICULUM INFORMATION:

In my curriculum I balanced the activities that most contribute in children’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development. Kids learn most by doing what they love.

Dramatic Play
Dramatic play is one of the most natural ways that children learn about themselves and others. Dramatic play helps young children develop an understanding of the world around them, cope with fears and uncertainties, and learn to get along with others. In other words, dramatic play helps young children develop skills they need both now and in the future.

We do a lot of “make-believe” during the day. This is because dramatic play helps children learn to think, to express their ideas, and to become successful learners. The children love to use their imaginations, and I encourage them to do this. Because make-believe is so important, I encourage even youngest babies to play games such as peek-a-boo or pat-a-cake. Sometimes I ask the older children to stage plays for the younger ones so that all the children can have a chance to use their imaginations.

Blocks
Blocks encourage children to explore, to try out their own ideas, and to recreate the world around them. From the simple explorations of infant or toddler to the more complex buildings of a pre-school child, blocks offer children unending learning opportunities.
When children are building with blocks they learn about sizes, shapes, colors, amounts, and why it’s important to build a sturdy base. They do this by counting blocks, discovering which ones are the same shapes, and learning the games of the different shapes. The children learn to share and develop their language skills as they play together and talk about their block structures.

Toys
Toys, games, and puzzles include a wide range of materials that children can explore, put together, push and pull, stack and crate. Many of the skills children learn using toys help prepare them for later schooling, for example, when they play with toys children learn about math, patterning, and direction. I try to select materials that will interest children of different ages. I also look for items that can be used in different ways; this keeps the children interested and encourages them to be creative. The children learn so much when they play with toys.

Toys with small pieces and puzzles help them recognize different shapes and develop the small muscles in their hands. These are important skills that will help them later in learning to read and write. The children use their imaginations when they play with toy animals and people. They feel successful when they push a ball across the room or hold on to a toy stroller as they learn to walk, They practice language skills as they play together and talk about what they are doing, they learn to share and play with a friend. I talk with children while they play because this challenges them to think about what they are doing and to try out new ideas.

Art
Art is so much more than knowing how to draw or paint or mold clay. It is a means of self-expression as well as satisfying activity in its own right. Art activities are an important part of my family child care program. Children love to draw, paint, play with playdough, and make designs with scraps of paper and glue. When children are using art materials, I am interested in giving them a chance to express their own ideas. I know that this is more important for their development than having them fill in a coloring book or make particular product. I encourage children to pull and poke playdough paint an entire paper with different colors, or just see how it feels to move a crayon around and around the paper. With younger children we do a lot of finger-painting.

Sand and Water
Children are naturally drawn to sand and water play. These activities let children be messy in a world that usually demands neatness and order. Sand and water play are important activities in my program. We have water play indoors, using child size sand-and-water table and plastic toys. Outdoors, during warm weather, we use the wadding pool. When the children play with sand and water, they stay involved for long periods of time. With water, they like to bathe doll babies or find out what will float or sink. They like to pour the water into different size containers and add food coloring or soap to see what happens to the water. The older children love building with sand. Children learn a lot of things playing with sand and water. They discover they can make bubbles by adding soap to water, they learn that they can mold sand into a castle when they add water to dry sand. They have a chance to practice pouring and spilling without worrying about the mess.

Books
Books open up the world to children. Through books they are introduced to new words, ideas, and places. Books also play a major role in helping children grow up to be readers. Research tells us that children who are used to being around books when they are young are likely to become good readers when they get to school. They’re also likely to enjoy reading throughout their lives. I believe in getting children interested in books from the time they can sit on my lap and focus. I encourage the children to look at books at any time during the day. We also have a special story time together. Sometimes I choose a story to read to the children; at other times I let them pick their favorites. I keep some of the children’s books on low sturdy shelves for easy access for children at any time. I keep cloth and laminated cardboard books on the floor for the babies so they can get them when they crawl around.

Cooking
I involve the children as much as I can in the preparation, serving and cleaning up of our meals and snacks. This invites them into the world of grown-ups. Of course cooking also involves activities and ways of learning that children love: pouring, dumping, mixing, stirring, scooping, smelling, testing, feeling, hearing and tasting. We talk a lot about what we’re doing, this helps the children learn new words, and they also learn math and science concepts. As soon as babies start to grab a spoon, I let them feed themselves; I try to give them finger foods. I serve food in family-style, so that everyone can participate in this group experience. Helping me in the kitchen makes the children feel important; they take pride in being able to prepare something they will eat later on. They also like being allowed to do a “grown-up” activity.

Music and Movement
Music gives children many opportunities for creative self-exploration. For all ages, music and movement experiences enhance language development and listening skills, physical coordination, and the ability to put feelings into words and actions. We do a lot of singing and dancing in our program, singing and moving to music give the children a chance to move freely and practice new skills. We listen to records during play time and before children take a nap, I sometimes play something quiet and relaxing, such as gentle classical music or lullabies. We have a special time every day for singing together or doing finger plays. The younger children sing along or listen; they also like playing with toys that make music, the older children help teach the younger ones the words to songs

Outdoors
Outdoor play is important for children’s health fresh air, sunshine, and the chance to move their bodies freely all contribute to their growth and development. In addition, the outdoors gives us a rich environment in which we learn. Almost everything we do indoors we also do outside. I’ve set up areas for sand and water play and gardening; we also do art and look at books outside. Unless it is extremely cold, hot, or storming, we go outdoors at least once a day, and sometimes twice. Older kids enjoy swings and slides and play games and younger ones enjoy listening to the different sounds outdoors and seeing what’s going on. Being outdoors is a new environment for children to explore.

LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS:

CARTOON CARE is conveniently located close to I-64 (Northampton Blvd) and I-264 (Newtown Rd/ Diamond Springs Rd), in Virginia Wesleyan College area. Call 757-339-3335 for detailed directions.

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