First and foremost, Toddler Time offers flexibility and individual care. We are committed not only to provide a daycare situation but to being an extended part of each family.

We have taken the best utilities and features of large commercial establishments and personalized and individualized the program to serve your child.

Although GA teacher/child regulations allow children from 2 1/2 to 4 years old be supervised and hopefully taught in a 10 to 1 ratio (and most private daycares offer 8 to 1) I have found while working in these centers that this ratio is not conducive for individual learning and at times can be overwhelming for both children and teachers.

 I discovered that many days I simply took on the role as 'referee' and without having any help in my room (an assistant), this would take away from the ability to teach. There were always sick children that needed more individual care and I simply could not provide it with so many others to attend to. I felt very helpless at times and trying to follow a tight schedule made it even more difficult.

At Toddler Time, children are given the time they need to eat breakfast, lunch and snacks at their natural pace and follow a schedule that is structured but not rigid. Children explore through creativity , free play, dramatic play, manipulatives and much more. Circle time is provided so that lesson then of the day is reinforced. We are able to move from one room to another for change of scenery and have found this helps a child explore 'new' things.

Outside play occurs twice a day (weather permitting) and we explore nature, set up imaginary creative play with our friends and exercise our muscles while having fun! During time of in climate or cold weather we utilize an indoor play area.

While working in larger centers, I often felt that I was not giving parents enough time sharing information about their child's daily experience and development. When you have 6-10 other children and just one teacher in a classroom, parent-teacher communication frequently suffers. Each day at Toddler Time you will be given a written Daily Report with all the information about your child's day. With the ratio low and TWO teachers available, there will be time during pick-up or drop-off for additional communication, if necessary, and for me to share with you the tender things that your child might have done that day. I am also very diligent about emailing, taking pictures and even doing video of special things to share. I love what I do and I feel it extremely necessary for the parent to be involved in knowing everything their child accomplishes, while not being able to be with them during the day!

As a parent of 3 (grown!!) children, I was frequently described as "high maintenance" when leaving them in someone else's care. I felt that certain things mattered to me that were overlooked by other parents: Were the teachers smiling? Did they seem happy and love what they were doing? Was the classroom clean? Were the 'problems' of behavior being treated with a solution mind set? Were the teachers communicating with me on a daily basis about what is going on in the classroom.

Did I feel the teachers truly cared for my child and were they offering the nurturing needed to help her/him feel secure. Was my child learning basic concepts appropriate for her/his age, beyond just shapes, colors, numbers and the alphabet? When disciplined, was enhancing her/his self-esteem at the root of their approach, or was it just scolding? Was her/his individuality embraced? Did they find my child's strengths and build on them? Did the teachers share not only the behavior issues but the positive things also?

Later when I attended courses in early childhood development I learned that these concerns were valid and my instincts regarding commercial child learning were on target.

Everyday I look at my center and ask myself, would I have wanted my child here when she/he were young?

The question keeps me on track to provide the best possible learning environment woven with commitment and love. Teaching well is not difficult, however it is only one part of having a thriving learning environment. Since every child is unique, my job is to nurture, celebrate and encourage their individuality while providing comfort and pride within the hearts and minds of those who I am privileged to work with.