Home Daycares in Montville

There are so many stories from over the years. One that comes to mind and inspires me every day involves these two adorable sisters who joined the daycare where I was working about five years ago. They came from a foster home, the oldest was 6 and the youngest was 4, they spoke very little English. The youngest clung to me right away, always wanting to be held and seeking my love and attention. However the older immediately started to lash out and cause trouble. She would scream at nap time, tell me she was going to hurt me, and was mean to the other children as well. Every child is different, and with her I realized that the more I ignored that negative behavior, the more she learned to show me how good she could behave. It took time, but within several months she was telling me she loved me and hugging me. She was happy to see me and would share stories with me at nap time. Reflecting on the difference I made in this one child’s life made me realize that I could do this for so many others. I want to create a safe, loving, and healthy environment for all kinds of children. I hoping I help them as much as they help me!! Since these early experiences, I have worked with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers for over a decade with an emphasis on finding activities that engage a group of children and, simultaneously, create opportunities for me to pull aside each child and work with them 1:1 at some point during the day. Most recently I have worked as a licensed assistant in a Family Child Care program. Building on my experience and years of working with mixed age-ranges, I am beyond thrilled to be running my very own program. Personally, I am a mother of two great kids, ages 5 and 13. Exercise and nutrition are very important to our family, and healthy meals are a core component of my program.

I have been working with children since I was in elementary school when I was a Mother’s Helper for the first time. There I learned how to properly care for a child, from diapers and play to best practices for safety. Since then I have devoted my life to working with children, specifically special needs children. I have held positions in the daycare field as well as being a nanny, a behavioral therapist, and a teacher. I hold a bachelors degree in psychology and a Masters degree in Education from Simmons college in Boston Ma. My concentration was in special education. I feel the important responsibility of helping children grow and develop while they are in my care. I also have two children myself, who are 7 months and 2.5 years old, who participate in my program.

I started working with children as a mom in a home-based daycare 19 years ago, and I have been caring for children ever since. Opening my own child care program in my home gave me the opportunity to create the welcoming, nurturing environment that I think is so important. I especially love to see them start to walk and talk, but the truth is that so many parts of the day and the week bring me a lot of joy. Through it all, I focus on learning through play. One of the best parts of working with children is watching them learn and grow. The work is incredibly rewarding, especially when I think about all the children I've helped grow and learn. It's such a gift to guide the children in my program as they grow.

I started taking care of children when I was in high school and I got a job as a teacher’s assistant at a nearby daycare. After college, I got teacher certified and worked in daycare once again. After an interim period in the corporate and small business worlds, I returned to Early Childhood Education, this time directing a literacy program in public schools and then teaching in a local preschool. Opening a child care program in my own home gives me an opportunity to use my experience and my teaching skills in a new setting. I provide a safe and loving atmosphere, and I value every child’s uniqueness. I recognize that I’m a really important adult for kids who spend time with me every day, and I focus on making kids feel cared for and loved. I’m so excited about this new chapter!