I Am A Mom, Pc (professional caregiver)
What better training do you need? Although I don't have years of child-based schooling under my belt, I DO have thousands of clocked hours living, breathing, surviving everything baby and toddler. I've been there - really been there.
While living in Barrie, I was a nanny for two boys ages 4 and 9. I had only cared for girls in the past, so this was quite the experience. My devotion to those boys was proven by many hours spent playing goal while they took practice shots on me, sans goalie pads.
After the family I was caring for moved away, I landed a job as a daycare teacher at a private nursery school in south Barrie. I started in the infant section and then moved up to running my own 'class' with the 2-3 year old group. Structure, and routine was expected in each classroom. Children feel more comfortable in an environment when they have an idea of what is coming next. Here, things like storytime before nap/downtime everyday is a cue that it's time to slow down and prepare for quiet time or sleep.
What's even better than my experience, is that real-deep-down love for those adorable, hilarious and innocent little people I have ever had the opportunity to care for.
I have certified CPR and first aid training through St. John's ambulance which I re-certify annually. Proof of certification will be provided upon request.
WHY
HER?
(you ask yourself)
2010 - present
Play Learn & Explore is one of the newer home daycare centres in the north end of Bowmanville. The daycare is owned and operated by Erin Kernohan, a mother of one toddler, wife and proud owner of an adorable dog named Willard (security) and three little princes (cats).
After my maternity leave ended (insert tears), I like many was forced back into the working world. I resumed my employment with a leading Ontario College as a Marketing Instructor. There were perks to heading back to work: a shower - daily!, makeup on face, brush through hair, and people who spoke words beyond 'gaga' and baby babble. The novelty of the perks wore off, quickly. I found myself constantly missing my little girl, and really not enjoying my job as much as I used to. I thought it would get easier. I constantly reminded myself that she is safe and happy where she was (with my mom and sister for goodness sake!), that this distance from each other was "healthy", and that mama really needed to work so that our family didn't end up living in a van down by the river. It didn't get easier.
My sister, who too was coming off of maternity leave, had a stroke of genius - why don't we both cut back on our hours at work, and we can provide daycare to each other's children on the days the other had to work? Ummm, yes please! So that's what we did (yes, husbands were mildly involved in this decision...)
Until that point I had never really thought about the idea of running a daycare - many people commented on how great I would be at it, but I think deep down I was worried about losing my career and a little bit of me in the process...BUT not so! I love who I have become by hanging out with these little people all day. I'm happier, I don't live by stressful deadlines (OK, lunch may be one), I have truly rediscovered how easy it is to learn while having fun, I can skip the traditional gym workout because I'm workin' it all day, and how listening to a child tell you a story (true or not) can make everything stressful in life, just sort of disappear.
WHY
P.L.E?
Willard, Daycare Security
2010 - present