Ms. Jillian

A daycare program should be a place of joy and exploration! My program is all about free play, exploring the senses, and fostering a love of learning. I began working with children as a teen at my grandmother’s daycare – and that afterschool job quickly turned into a passion. Since then, I’ve worked with children as a cook, an art teacher, a one-on-one aide to a child with autism, and a teacher in a large classroom setting. These roles eventually led me to working with toddlers – and discovering that working with children this age is truly my calling! One of the best things about what I do is being apart of all the milestones (big and small) that happen every day. I love being able to support children, cheer them on, and celebrate their accomplishments – there is just nothing more rewarding!

Children need flexibility to flourish! My program is child led, and full of exploration. We use felt boards, musical books, puppets, bubbles, and other sensory materials throughout the day – the possibilities for learning are endless and I make the most of these materials by using creativity to plan activities. I believe children learn more when they are having fun! The children all look forward to daily circle time, where they express themselves through dance and music, enjoy animated songs and finger plays, and explore books in multiple ways. In my program, we celebrate every day to the fullest, and gather together for lots of special events as a community - parties, holiday celebrations, and plays and performances. I am also a photographer - and capturing all of these special moments and sharing them with families brings me so much joy!

My daycare program really nurtures children’s creative spirits. Art is a big part of my program – and this quote by Sydney Gurewitz Clemens reflects why: “Art has the role in education of helping children become like themselves instead of more like everyone else.” As a young person art gave me the freedom to express how I felt without judgement - and I feel blessed to be able to encourage this with children every day. There is no greater reward than seeing a child embrace their own unique self! Parents should know that I will care for their children like they are my own, and that my home is welcoming and safe, with a big backyard and a friendly dog who is excellent with kids. I have always been a caretaker and a protector, and I will always go above and beyond to make sure every child in my care is safe and feels loved. My daycare kids are my second family, and I treasure each and every one of them.