Loving this

I am loving every minute of having my own daycare. I feel like I have found my calling in life. I enjoy getting up and going to work every morning. It amazes me how quick children learn. I have one child that can now say his entire ABC's . I am amazed at how they are like sponges.
I found this poem that sums up how I feel

The Daycare Provider
Although I'm not their mother, I care for them each day. I cuddle, sing, and read to them,And watch them as they play.I see each new accomplishment,and help them grow and learn, I understand their language,and I listen with concern.They come to me for comfort,And I kiss away their tears. They proudly show their work to me,I give the loudest cheers! No, I am not their mother,But my role is just as strong. I nurture them and keep them safe,Though maybe not for long. I know someday the time may come,When we will have to part, But I know each child I've cared forIs forever in my heart!!!!!!!
~author unknown

I have been open one week.

I have been open one wk tomorrow. I am thrilled to have this, and I am very thankful to all that helped me achieve my dream.

I have six spots left please tell all your family and friends. I still have all half off deals going. I also will pay you fifty dollars for every child you refer me. The only catch is they have to hold a full time spot.

Please call 635-kids (5437) to enroll

Special Grand Opening

A step Ahead will open November 3rd! I am so happy this has been a long time coming. I am doing a grand opening special. If you enroll you child I am doing half off the first week of childcare, this special will run through November 15th. I have about six spots left. I am also doing another special. If your child is already enrolled , and you refer someone who signs their child up for my daycare. I will give you a week free. Yes a week free of childcare. This will be my thank you for referring someone to me. This special will run through the month of November. I really appreciate everyone 's help and kind words. Now lets get this daycare open.

I Have a location and a start date if nothing falls through

Hey everyone in blog land!
I have accomplished a lot since my last blog. I want to start by saying I have came across a great opportunity. The Morrison Learning Center in Morrison of course will be my new location. I sign all the paperwork this week. I will be leasing the building for 2 years with an option to buy at the end of the two years. I have also purchased all of her equipment. I don't need it all so if anyone knows of anyone that needs daycare stuff. I have plenty. My date has been pushed back once again to Nov. 3rd, but this is going to be my for sure date. She has some children going and I am going to have hers plus mine. I am so excited and can not wait to tear into the place and make it mine. I will of course call it A Step Ahead. I am going to be daycare instead of dayschool. I do have a couple spots still open call and let me add you to my waiting list.
I think I will have an open house for parents in November as well.
I will post more later.

Still Waiting

Hey I want to start off by saying thanks to everyone that has called or showed interest in my daycare. I have had one inspection, but I still have one more to go. I know my goal of opening Oct. 6th is sadly not going to happen. I am hoping to be open by Oct 13th. The state does not get in any hurry. I have been busy buying supplies for the children to enjoy. I have almost everything I need now.I still have some spots open. I would love to have your child or children at my daycare. If you would like your child to come,please give me a call at 224-7908.

I am still waiting

I am still waiting on my state inspection. They do not get in any hurry. I am super excited about opening. I am still hoping to open on October 6th. That may not happen if they do not hurry up.
I wanted to share with everyone what I have been doing to get my dayschool/daycare open. I have had to attend several classes in Cookeville and a few other training workshops. I am not complaining at all because I have gotten some wonderful ideas. I have also been really busy buying equipment. I still lack a few items such as cots and an outdoor playhouse, but all and all I am pretty set.

I am wanting to put some of ideas out there so you as parents will know what to except if you decide to send your child to me.
If you are a state licensed daycare you have to what the state calls centers.
Centers are basically where children can play with just one or two other children and not have to fight with 12 kids for toys. I love the idea of having centers. I would have loved them in my daycare when I was a child.
Here is some of my ideas

1. You have to have a block center state requires it.
2. The state also requires a music center and puzzle center
3. The state also requires a reading center where your child can go for one on one time.
4. The last center the state requires is a sand and water center. I am not planning on using sand. I will be using macaroni noodles instead.
5. I would like to use the following centers to trade out every month so the children don't become bored.
6. I would love to have a center called the garage. I plan to have a tool bench,cars,trucks and a rug that has roadways on it.
7. I also would love to have a housekeeping section where I have a kitchen,dolls,ironing board and play food.
8. I love the idea of having a supermarket for children to pretend shop complete with a cash register, fake money, food,clothes and bags.
9. The flower shop center has to be one of my favorites. I got this idea while in a workshop. I would have plastic vase for children and fake flowers and they could pretend they were a florist.

I have tons of other ideas,but of course I can not list them all.

I wanted to go over my charges for dayschool. I have had several calls about this.

full time 18 mos and up will be 85 dollars a week

full time under 18 mos will be 95 dollars a week let me explain why most daycare charge more for infants. You have to hire someone just for your infants.

Part time rates school age children this means before and after school and on snow days and school holidays 45.00 a wk

Part time toddlers that have not started school yet 25.oo dollars a day. If your child just needs two days of preschool a wk, then it would just be 50 dollars.

I am trying to stay comparative with my prices. I am actually under priced on my infants. I paid 125 a wk for Ethan to attend daycare. I felt that price was way too much.

I hope I have addressed most questions and calls I have been getting. I want to say a special thanks to Kim Brady and Sara Beecham. I have received so much support from the both of you. I am planning on making some business cards soon. I will be passing them out. If you want to enroll your child I still have spots available. I have about 9 spots left. My number is 224-7908 and my email is kwalling@omnivisions.com. Give me a call or email I will hold you a spot.

I finally did it

I finally did it. I created my own blog. I really wanted to have a place to explain my daycare/dayschool concept to everyone,and a place to put my thoughts.

I am opening my dayschool hopefully if all state inspections come back okay October 6th. I am super exicted this is something I have wanted to do for years. I want to have a place where I can reach and teach a small number of children in a preschool atmosphere. I plan to keep 12 full time children ages 6 wks to school age, and 3 part time children of any age. I am going to have a helper who has passed all state required background and medical checks. I also have someone who I know has as much passion for teaching as I do. I want to be able to teach children no matter what their age. I believe every child is always learning. I want all children that leave my program to be a step ahead. I will say that is how my name was born because I kept saying if all children that exit my dayschool could be " A Step Ahead" I would be thrilled.

I will teach the children using a different method. I believe children learn while having fun this is why I will be using workbook pages with their favorite cartoon characters on them. We will also be using games as a learning tool. I want all my dayschool children to love coming to daycare/dayschool. I do not want to be just a babysitter. I could do that out of my home with little effort, but teaching children means a great deal to me. I was in college to become a teacher and decided to take a break to decide which path to take, and I believe God lead me down this one.

I also should mention at my dayschool parents will always know what their children are doing. I am going to send home daily progress notes on all children enrolled. I will also be doing a lot of arts and crafts.

I have spots available for all ages right now.

If you want your child to be added to my waiting list please call me at 224-7908

My hours will be 6 am till 5:30 pm

If your child is under 2 call asap those spots are filling up quick.