This would be for full time care Monday through Friday, up to 50 hours. Willing to work out something with those who need more than 50 hours.

To help parents out in this economy, I am reducing my rate to $160 for a child age 2+. I hold a current CPR and First Aid certification, a permit through Fairfax County Office for Children, and participate in the USDA Food Program as well as the subsidy program through OFC. I am looking to keep my group small so as to be able to take them places throughout the summer IE: Library, kid programs, nature centers, parks, walks, etc. Preschool learning (colors, shapes, numbers, letters, etc), music, dance, arts & crafts, and so much more!

If interested in setting up an interview or if you have any questions, feel free to contact me!!

Conveniently located near Huntington Metro and 495.

I am still looking to fill some spaces in my Home Daycare.

I have been taking care of children for 27 years. I am CPR/First Aid certified, have a permit through Fairfax County Office for Children, participate in the USDA food program and the subsidy program offered by the office for children.

I have a newborn enrolled for Sept, and I dont take more than 1 newborn at a time, so my openings are for any child 8 months and older. I provide all meals and activities in my fee and I dont charge any enrollment fees.

My normal hours are 7am-6pm, however I do have limited extended hours should someone need care beyond the traditional hours.

I am close to metro (1.5 miles) and major roads and busline.

Please contact me for more information and/or to set up a time to meet.\

mnchkds1@aol.com

Anonymous wrote: The only thing I don't agree with is making drop off quick or sneaking out - and it kind of annoys me to hear from a daycare provider that this is the thing to do. It's what makes it easier for the provider.

I am sorry my answer annoyed you, however in my 27 years of providing childcare I have never had a child harmed from this, nor a parent upset by it.

Making drop off quick, I dont mean by throwing the child in the door, saying good bye, and running out the door. That doesnt work. However it also doesnt work when a parent comes in and lingers and just as the child is settling in, they go to leave and the child begins to cry again, and the parent comes back in and starts the process all over. There does come a time after the first week or two of transition that the parent can come in and say goodbye to the child without the child getting upset at being left. Most of my children transitioned well within a week to two after they began coming. And then began the tears at night, when they didnt want to leave and go home.

As for the sneaking out, perhaps sneaking was the wrong word to use. Most times it is the PARENT who has asked me to take the child to the playroom and get her busy with the others. This is usually after the parent has said goodbye to the child, given kisses and hugs and has told the child they will be here after work to pick them up. Once in the playroom, we get busy playing with the toys and the parent may linger in the living room for a minute or so to listen. I only ask that they lock the front door on their way out to prevent someone from coming in while I am in the back with the kids i have had in care. When the child comes out in the living room, most times they dont ask, but if they do ask for the parent, I tell them mommy or daddy had to go to work and will be back for them soon. I have had parents call me on their way to work checking on their child, only to hear them laughing in the background because they are involved with an activity that is keeping them busy and happy.

BTW I resent the comment that we providers do this to make it easier on us. I go out of my way to make things easier on the KIDS first and foremost, and then the parents. I have been lenient many times on some of my rules to make things easier on the KIDS and the parents. In this business it is not about what I want, but what the childrens needs are, and the parents.

I am a stay at home mom/grandma who has been doing childcare for 27 years. I am CPR/First Aid certified, have a permit through Fairfax County and am looking to care for no more than 3-5 full/part time children.

I provide a safe and loving home for your child to stay while you're at work. I treat each child as though they were my own, and I keep my group small so as to be able to give attention to everyone in my care. Kids learn through play, activities, arts/crafts, learning activities, etc. We take walks during the day, go to the playgrounds around my home, and play outside as much as possible. Activities during the day include free time, playdoh, paints, games, books, puzzles, music and so much more. I work with helping the children learn their numbers, alphabets, colors, shapes, etc both through play and activities.

I participate in the USDA food program. Of course if food allergies are an issue, then i would ask that you bring whatever your child might need (ie: different milk, cheeses, etc).

Per the request of the Fairfax County Office For Children, I maintain a Shelter in Place Kit as well as a Mobile Emergency Kit for use during any disaster that may occur. I would be more than happy to explain to you what this is and how it is used in my home.

I am located in Alexandria, just off the Beltway at Telegraph road south. I am not far from the Huntington Metro and live on a major busline to the metro.

I do not charge any enrollment fees. All activity fees are included in my weekly rates.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please feel free to contact me at mnchkds1@aol.com

Thanks and have a great day!
Michelle

PS: I do have pets (2 dogs who have no contact with the children and 1 cat who has little contact with the kids, maybe just to check them out)

As a daycare provider, i wholeheartedly agree with the poster who said make drop off quick. I have had parents who linger, and the longer they linger, the more the child expected he was leaving when mom leaves. I have had kids cry when they come in, we get busy with something right away to distract him/her from seeing mommy or daddy leave, and parent calls on the way to work feeling horrible only to hear me say that the crying has stopped and the child is involved in an activity with the other kids. Pickup time comes, and the kids dont want to go home.

Take something familiar with your child. A special blanket, a stuffed animal. Perhaps the scent of mommy on that item will be enough to comfort

And definitely, I will take a child away from the door and into the playroom or another room, get them involved with an activity in order to let the parent sneak out. I have no problem with that. Kids have a way of making their parents feel guilty!!