Home Daycares in Topsfield

When it comes to childcare, a provider's experience and education can make all of the difference. I have my Bachelors of Science degree in Early Childhood Development from Salem State University. Over the past decade I have worked in various childcare settings. Aside from years of babysitting, my first childcare job was at a big center with children ranging from infants to school age. Over my four years there I spent time in each classroom acquiring a plethora of experience. Most importantly I was able to oversee and take part in my niece and nephew’s care as they attended. Family is very important to me and it meant so much to me to have such an influential role in their lives on a daily basis. I left the center to work as a nanny for three young boys while I finished up my degree. As a graduation requirement I was also spending time in two commercial childcare centers. When I graduated, I knew that working in a large childcare center was not for me. Post graduation I met a new family and worked as their nanny for four years. Nannying was a wonderful profession and I have developed strong relationships with the families I have worked for in the past. I was able to care for my nieces and nephews occasionally with my nanny children and create wonderful friendships amongst them. My nanny children became part of my family. While nannying, my continuing education became more focused on mindful practices and emotional intelligence through childhood development. It is my goal to run a program that incorporates the values of family and community while fostering child development and education. I am confident that my vast experience with children and educational background has prepared me for this next step in my career.

As a mom of three, life can be busy, but I am at my happiest when I’m around kids. The more you work with kids and help them learn, the more you learn yourself. I started my program because I wanted to create a career around my passion for child care. Plus, I love supporting other parents and sharing my knowledge. When my daughter was in child care, I remember how helpful it was that the program had her on a consistent nap schedule—it made our life at home so much easier! I want to offer that same support to the families in my program and help figure out what works best for their children and their home. I hope parents see Miles of Smiles Childcare as an extension of their family.

I went to college for psychology and afterward began working with senior citizens first. Over time, my positions took me to younger and younger people until I was working with children who had gone through trauma. I worked with these children for four years before nannying for two years while I had my own children. By 2011, I was ready to have something of my own and continue in the child care field that I loved. Having a family child care program allowed me to not only work with children but also have the consistency that my family and the families I work with needed. I’m so glad I did because it is the most rewarding job anyone could have! We also just received an award for Best Child Care in Peabody in 2019, which is a huge affirmation of the work we’re doing.

I have always had a passion for working with children, and after staying home for several years to raise my own children I decided to open my own family daycare. I figured if I can raise triplets, I can do anything! More than ten years later I have learned I was right—there’s nothing else I would rather do. I have worked with all types of children, and building trust with each child and their parents is one of the most important parts of my work. One of my most memorable children was a four-year-old girl, who started off very angry and on her second day ripped the wallpaper off of my wall. When I asked her why, she answered, “Because I’m mad. I’m not a good girl. Everyone is always telling me how bad I am.” I was sad to hear this from such a small child, and made sure that every day she was with me I gave her lots of hugs and kisses and told her what a good girl she was. She changed dramatically as a result. Every day she told me she loved me. With her newfound positive attitude she was able and excited to play with other children, learn, and explore. I aim to ensure every child in my care knows that they are loved, supported, and able to do whatever they set their mind to.