Licensing Requirements
My philosophy of quality includes a strong commitment to operating in strict compliance with all licensing requirements as set forth in the State of Minnesota Rules for Family Child Care.
My philosophy of quality includes a strong commitment to operating in strict compliance with all licensing requirements as set forth in the State of Minnesota Rules for Family Child Care.
Goals
My goal is to provide a loving, stable, and secure environment that supports each child’s development. Every effort will be made to help every child reach the following goals:
My goal is to provide a loving, stable, and secure environment that supports each child’s development. Every effort will be made to help every child reach the following goals:
- Develop a positive self-image and attitude towards themselves and others
- Stimulate and increase knowledge
- Develop independence
- Have learning experiences that provide intellectual growth and development
- Help them know that there are friendly and caring adults outside of the home
Learning Activities/Curriculum
Age appropriate activities are scheduled with flexibility to respond to the needs of the individual child and day.
Age appropriate activities are scheduled with flexibility to respond to the needs of the individual child and day.
Infants (Age: 6 weeks to 1 year)
Infants determine their own schedule for feeding, naps, and playtime. Infant needs are interpreted through their cries, physical look, and moods. Interaction with infants is on a continual basis to ensure they receive sensory stimulation. Infant activities include:
Infants determine their own schedule for feeding, naps, and playtime. Infant needs are interpreted through their cries, physical look, and moods. Interaction with infants is on a continual basis to ensure they receive sensory stimulation. Infant activities include:
- On-Floor Time for Find Motor Development (grasping, turning, tracking, cause & effect)
- Sensory Activities (touching, feely books, textures, mobiles, & infant toys)
- Gross Motor Development (reaching, pushing, pulling, rolling, climbing, crawling)
- Language Development (talking, listening, singing)
- Music Activities (moving to rhythm, listening, singing)
- Outside Activities (infant toys, strollers, infant swing)
Toddlers (Age 1)
Toddlers learn by play and exploring, so plenty is offered. Toddlers are free to sit in on the preschool activities, observe, or to free play nearby. The interaction with toddlers is important and so is their development. Toddlers’ activities include:
Toddlers learn by play and exploring, so plenty is offered. Toddlers are free to sit in on the preschool activities, observe, or to free play nearby. The interaction with toddlers is important and so is their development. Toddlers’ activities include:
- Gross Motor Activities (climbing, ball throwing, obstacle course)
- Fine Motor Activities (puzzles, table toys, small blocks)
- Language Development (labeling, talking, story time)
- Music (movement, singing, instruments)
- Dramatic Play
- Free Play (both inside and outside)
Preschool (Age 2 to Kindergarten)
During a child’s preschool years, vocabulary, coordination, intellectual thinking and social skills are being developed. At this time, children are excited about learning.
The preschool curriculum includes a carefully structured schedule that mixes learning, play, quiet time, individual and group activities – all to inspire children to grow, learn, and enjoy. Preschool curriculum includes:
Circle Time is a favorite activity for the kids. The theme for the week is introduced at the beginning of the week and something related to the theme is discussed each day. We do a daily calendar, weather board, letter and number of the week, color and shape identification, songs, name recognition, sight words, show-n-tell, and more.
Stations are areas set up for learning activities that may include literacy, math concepts, name recognition and writing practice, science, small muscle, cooking, art, dramatic play, and more learning activities. All Preschoolers’ start with name recognition and name writing practice, but may choose the other stations they want to explore. The station activities change frequently so there is always something new for the children to discover.
Many of our activities revolve around a weekly theme. As part of the curriculum we discuss something relating to our theme, talk about the days of the week and the weather for the day. We will have a “Show & Tell” day once a month.
Certain units lend themselves to a field trip for fun and learning. Sometimes there will be a small fee for a field trip. I will always tell you when a field trip is coming up and have you sign a field trip authorization form. Note: All children (including infants and toddlers) are allowed to go on fieldtrips.
During a child’s preschool years, vocabulary, coordination, intellectual thinking and social skills are being developed. At this time, children are excited about learning.
The preschool curriculum includes a carefully structured schedule that mixes learning, play, quiet time, individual and group activities – all to inspire children to grow, learn, and enjoy. Preschool curriculum includes:
- Kindergarten Readiness Skills
- Weekly themes September – May (Note: some themes may go more than one week)
- Writing Skill Practice (we use the current writing style for the Chisago Lakes Primary School)
- Letter recognition and phonics
- Books, stories and poems
- Basic math fundamentals (identifying numbers, counting, grouping, sorting and ordering)
- Shape and color recognition
- Social Development (group activities and imaginative play)
- Arts and Crafts
- Music (songs, finger plays, movement)
- Fine Motor (puzzles, table toys)
- Free Play (both inside and outside)
Circle Time is a favorite activity for the kids. The theme for the week is introduced at the beginning of the week and something related to the theme is discussed each day. We do a daily calendar, weather board, letter and number of the week, color and shape identification, songs, name recognition, sight words, show-n-tell, and more.
Stations are areas set up for learning activities that may include literacy, math concepts, name recognition and writing practice, science, small muscle, cooking, art, dramatic play, and more learning activities. All Preschoolers’ start with name recognition and name writing practice, but may choose the other stations they want to explore. The station activities change frequently so there is always something new for the children to discover.
Many of our activities revolve around a weekly theme. As part of the curriculum we discuss something relating to our theme, talk about the days of the week and the weather for the day. We will have a “Show & Tell” day once a month.
Certain units lend themselves to a field trip for fun and learning. Sometimes there will be a small fee for a field trip. I will always tell you when a field trip is coming up and have you sign a field trip authorization form. Note: All children (including infants and toddlers) are allowed to go on fieldtrips.
School-Aged (Kindergarten through 5th Grade)
School-aged children participate in the daily activities of the child care before and after school, or for the entire day when there is no school. There will be some activities specifically designed for the school-aged children that will be educational and fun.
School-aged children participate in the daily activities of the child care before and after school, or for the entire day when there is no school. There will be some activities specifically designed for the school-aged children that will be educational and fun.
Miscellaneous
Outdoor Play
We have a large yard with a Rainbow Playground that has swings, slides, and many climbing areas. There is a sandbox, playhouse and a children’s picnic table. We also have a large driveway that we use for riding toys, chalk, jump rope, basketball, rollerblading/skating, and many other activities. We have a sliding hill on our property for winter time. There is a park within walking distance and a sidewalk that we use for walks. In the summer, we have picnic lunches and eat snack outside sometimes.
Outdoor Play
We have a large yard with a Rainbow Playground that has swings, slides, and many climbing areas. There is a sandbox, playhouse and a children’s picnic table. We also have a large driveway that we use for riding toys, chalk, jump rope, basketball, rollerblading/skating, and many other activities. We have a sliding hill on our property for winter time. There is a park within walking distance and a sidewalk that we use for walks. In the summer, we have picnic lunches and eat snack outside sometimes.
Indoor Play
We have many toys for children of all ages that get rotated regularly to keep the kids exploring and learning in different ways. The toys are accessible to the kids, in good condition, and sanitized frequently.
Meals
We are a member of Providers Choice, which is a Child Care Food Program sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child & Adult Food Program (CACFP). We are committed to serving nutritionally balanced meals. We serve Breakfast, Lunch and Snack each day.
We have many toys for children of all ages that get rotated regularly to keep the kids exploring and learning in different ways. The toys are accessible to the kids, in good condition, and sanitized frequently.
Meals
We are a member of Providers Choice, which is a Child Care Food Program sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child & Adult Food Program (CACFP). We are committed to serving nutritionally balanced meals. We serve Breakfast, Lunch and Snack each day.
Television
I allow limited TV viewing consisting of age appropriate shows (e.g., Sesame Street, Barney, etc.) or an appropriate video to watch. Children are never required to sit and watch TV.
Birthdays
Each child’s birthday will be celebrated and will be their “special day.” We will celebrate everyone’s birthday by playing games. I will buy a gift that is from all of us. I will provide a cake or treats unless the parent indicates they want to bring something.
Holiday Celebrations
We will celebrate all the major holidays with a small party usually during day care hours. Party activities will include treats and other holiday traditions.
I allow limited TV viewing consisting of age appropriate shows (e.g., Sesame Street, Barney, etc.) or an appropriate video to watch. Children are never required to sit and watch TV.
Birthdays
Each child’s birthday will be celebrated and will be their “special day.” We will celebrate everyone’s birthday by playing games. I will buy a gift that is from all of us. I will provide a cake or treats unless the parent indicates they want to bring something.
Holiday Celebrations
We will celebrate all the major holidays with a small party usually during day care hours. Party activities will include treats and other holiday traditions.
