The agency I am meeting with in August, said that they don't like opening daycare's in apartments, but after reading my application she just had to come and meet with me. I'm not sure what I said to impress her.

All I wrote was:


Hours/days of daycare:

7:30-5:30pm. Monday to Friday

Planning on starting home daycare:

October/November 2012, as I am currently on mat-leave.

What ages would I prefer:

1 year old to 5 years old. My youngest son is 7 months as of July 2012. Once he is older I would conceder a younger child.

My Qualifications: Education & Experience

I worked as a part-time nanny (evenings, nights, and weekends) for three years during college. I have babysat on and off since I was 13 years old (now in my mid 30's).
I am a mother of two boys, 3 years and 7 months old.

What kind of activities do I plan for the children

- We do lots of fun educational crafts, and special projects for the Holiday's and special occasions.
- We have circle time, where we read stories and sing songs.
- We go on walks to one of the three parks close by. The children get to play freely.
- We go to a splash pad near by.
- We also take time on these walks to check out / talk about all the nature around us.
- There is a big yard in the back, which we run around in. We play baseball, golf, ball, tag, etc.
- We have special outings to the beach for picnics.
- We have group play/activities as well as independent play/activities
- We go to a free playgroup one to three days a week.

What I teach...

- ABC's
- 1,2,3's
- Colours
- Shapes
- How to share
- To be respectful to others, animals, property and the
environment.
- Please and Thank You's, because politeness counts.
- Using our words. Throw simple signing or verbally depending on age.
- Using sentences (depending on age)
- How to use an inside voice, a respectful outside voice (playing in the back yard, walking down the street), and a loud outside voice (at parks)
- What to do if there is a fire.

Where would the children play?

Inside: in the living area
outside: in the back court yard of my building, one of three parks near by, or at the beach (not in the water)

What kind of lunches and snacks would I serve?

I provide nutritional homemade snacks and lunches.
example: fresh fruit, homemade Mac and Cheese etc.

How do I handle children's misbehaviour?
Depending on the situation, a warning is usually given and the child is reminded of acceptable behaviour and re-directed to a different activity.
Next step would be a timeout. This timeout is not a punishment, but rather a time that they may calm down, remember what behaviour is acceptable, and decide when they are ready to rejoin the group with the appropriate behaviour. Time outs last 1 minute for each year of age.
If timeouts are not effective, some sort of consequence will be imposed. This may range from a favourite toy being taken away for a short period of time to being excluded from a favourite activity.

Basic description of my home:
A two bedroom ground floor apartment. The apartment is across from a exit and has windows that we can get out of if needed. The apartment is SMOKE FREE at all times. The apartment is NOT peanut free. There is a cat, who gets his shots yearly. There is a nice court yard in the back with a wall around it. The court yard has picnic tables and there usually has a nice cool breeze.

What kind of toys/equipment do I have:
I have lots of toys, ranging from 0 months to 4 years. Example: Toy kitchen and food, doll stroller, dolls, trains with wooden tracks, blocks, Mega blocks, trucks and cars, balls, golf set, etc.
For equipment I have, a high chair, sleeping mats, kid size table and chairs, bumble set, single stroller, and a double stroller. I am also slowly picking up more items.

Where do the children sleep?
The children will sleep on floor mats in the living area, or in a play pen in the master bed room.

Why do I want to be a caregiver?
I have always loved children. I love watching them learn and play. I have always planned on starting a home daycare when I was done having my own children.

What qualities do I think I can offer to private home day care?
- a happy, friendly, safe, and positive environment.
- a chance to help child learn

Other information:
I have a current police check. My husband will be getting his before October 2012.
I will be getting a medical certificate from my Dr. in mid-August.
I have three people (non-family) who are working on writing references for me.
As I am in an apartment I only take on three children, besides my own two, at this time. When my children go to school, I will be willing to add more children within the 5/1 rule.
My husband and I are planning on moving into a house sometime in either 2013 or 2014.
I do plan on having private clients as well.
I have never worked with a home daycare agency or have been associated with one, as I have never had a home daycare before.
basically all I did was answer the questions they asked.
I am glad that they like it enough to want to meet.