Welcome to Marsha's Toddlerturf
Welcome to my website. My name is Marsha. I have been happily married since 1980. My husband, Bob and I have 6 boys with the youngest being 20 years old. I have been caring for children in my home since 1990 and have been licensed by the State of Illinois and the Village of Schaumburg since 1997. I have been fingerprinted and FBI background checked. I also keep current on my Infant and Child CPR and First Aid certifications. The information in this handbook is extensive and comes from years of experience. It covers my policies, philosophies and expectations. Please read it over thoroughly and talk to me about any questions you may have. You are welcomed to call me at any time. If I do not answer the phone during child care hours, please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as possible. I have been licensed to care for 8 children, normally run with a smaller group of 6-7 and am currently accepting all ages. I offer a preschool program in a stable, loving home atmosphere. Within my program I focus on 4 areas of development, social/emotional, physical, cognitive and language.
Young children's social/emotional development involves the way they feel about themselves, their understanding of feelings, their ability to regulate emotions and express them appropriately, and their capacity for building relationships with others.
Physical development refers to gaining and achieving gross and fine motor skills. Gross motor skills are moving the large muscles in the body, especially the arms and legs and gaining control to do things like run, jump, hop, skip walk and throw a ball. Fine motor skills are such things as holding, pinching, flexing fingers eventually enabling children to do things like draw, write and cut with scissors. Actually physical development, in many ways, promotes social/emotional development. As children learn and practice what their bodies can do physically they gain that much needed self-confidence which in turn helps them to try new tasks.
Cognitive development refers to the mind and how children think, how they see their world and how they use what they learn to reason and solve problems.
Language development is one of children's major accomplishments during the first 3 years of life. Reading to them, talking with them and guiding their exploration is essential. Being in a literacy rich environment will promote these vital skills.
Children's development do not really divide into neat categories, rather all 4 categories are closely related and often overlap. Development in one area affects and is influenced by development in all other areas. So paying attention to all areas is essential when guiding children's learning.
My philosophy: It is my goal to provide a safe, fun environment where children can learn life lessons and experience the world around them. I believe children learn through play and the experiences they have. By providing them with different experiences, they can learn and grow physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially at their own pace. It is exciting and rewarding for me to see their accomplishments and smiles as they develop and grow. Enjoy looking around my site. I can be reached at 847-755-9552, (cell) 847-204-9554 or by email.
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CPR and First Aid Certified
Licensed by the State of Illinois
Licensed by the Village of Schaumburg
Over 25 years experience
Activities at Marsha's that help promote social/emotional, physical, cognitive and language development.
Free play: Free play is a very important part of your child's development. I have a wide variety of education toys available for your child to promote and stimulate their growing minds. I rotate the toys often to keep them new and exciting. When your child plays they are:
*figuring out that certain actions cause reactions
*making connections
*trying on new roles
*creating sense and order in the world
*learning to include others
*learning how to make decisions
*learning how to problem solve
*learning how to compromise
*learning that things don't always go just the way we want them
*using imagination
Crafts and Artwork: The children have opportunities to create different art projects using different types of materials. They are involved in painting, gluing, cutting, creating collages, writing and coloring with markers and crayons, and using watercolors to name a few. They also enjoy creating with playdoh. Through art activities they can reinforce fine motor skills, learn cause and effect, express themselves and promote language. Some of these activities are child lead and others are provider lead. They always take great pride in their projects, so remember it is the process not the product.
Circle time: We gather together in a group and share and talk. Circle time is designed to stimulate your children's thinking, improve their social skills and expand their attention spans. During circle time we are involved in such activities as; show and tell, flannel board stories, songs, finger plays and weather and calendar.
Story time: Reading to the children is a daily activity. I want to help them appreciate and enjoy books. Reading activities enhance the children's vocabulary, helps them expand their imaginations and explore the world around them.
Sand and Water: We play in rice, sand and water and other materials that would help promote a sensory experience. This allows the children to experiment with different textures and different substances. These activities promote the development of such skills as math, science and language.
Block play: Block play gives the children experience with concepts such as shape and size discrimination, number skills, balance, cause and effect and classification. It also helps promote cooperative play skills, problem solving and creativity. Both wood and foam blocks are available for the children to use.
Gym class: We participate in Gym class (provider paid) once a week. This gives the children opportunities to practice their gross-motor skills and use their muscles and engage in fun, healthy exercise. Some of our other gross motor activities would include, but not limited to, parks, outdoor play, riding bikes, walks, swimming, bug hunts and just exploring the outdoors. I will enroll your child when I feel they are ready, typically around 2 years old.
Coloring/pre-writing: The children are given opportunities to improve small muscle development and eye-hand coordination on a daily basis. Some common activities, for developing fine-motor skills. that we participate in are puzzles, beads and lacing, pegboards, and using markers, crayons and scissors.
Dramatic play: By giving the children opportunities for dramatic play helps them express themselves and expand their imaginations. It also helps them improve their social skills, increase their self-esteem and build vocabulary. Some dramatic play activities include the play kitchen with play dishes and foods and the dress-up area.
Music: The children can explore sound, volume, tempo and rhythm. Our music activities help the children improve their listening skills, creative expression and social skills. We enjoy dancing, playing instruments and singing to our favorite songs. We look forward to our weekly music classes with a certified music instructor from Musikgarten. (provider paid)
Science: The children get hands on opportunities for observation, investigations and making predictions. Some of our science activities include the mystery box, caterpillar-butterfly unit, egg to chick unit, lady bug unit, tadpole to frog unit and planting seeds.
During the school year (Sept-May) we learn from 3 to 4 letters a month, covering the entire alphabet during the school year. We are involved in a variety of different activities to present these letters using craft materials, collage boards, paints and watercolors, dot art, crayons, stamps, stories and worksheets. The children learn about that letter, what it looks like and how it sounds. As they become older, the interest to write them and form words is encouraged and practiced. Our show and tell activity gets them involved by allowing them to bring items from their home, that begins with that letter, to show and share with their friends at circle time. Learning our colors, numbers and shapes are also incorporating into our everyday activities. Everyone is given opportunities for coloring and writing according to their interest and ability. I also incorporate a literature-based curriculum along with some theme based units to help the children develop a love for books and reading and help expand their imaginations. I strive to make learning fun and enjoyable as we experience the world around us.
We are an active group and enjoy going on a variety of field trips. We like to explore the world around us and have new experiences. The following are examples of some of the places we love to go.
Dupage Museum
Animals Farms
Various parks in the area
Schaumburg Library
Brookfield Zoo
Pumpkin Farms
Morton Arboretum
Fire Department
Nature Centers
Pump it up
Live plays (Chicago Kids Company)
Medieval Times (parent participation optional for children older than 18 months)
Pirate's Cove
Gym class
Circus (parent participation optional for children older than 18 months)
I will cover the cost for all of the above activities for the children. If you attend a parent invited trip, which are Medieval Times or the Circus, you would need to cover that cost for yourself.
You will receive a monthly calendar (September through May) of our planned activities. We tend to be spontaneous but when there is a bigger trip planned I let you know ahead of time. You can always reach me on my cell phone.
(847-204-9554)
I participate in a State regulated nutrition program through The Association for Child Development. I serve the children well-balanced meals to encourage good eating habits. A State of Illinois representative who will visit my home on announced and unannounced visits monitors these meals. I will provide breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack for children who are present when the meal is being served. It is the parent's responsibility to feed their child if they are not going to be here during scheduled meal times. If your child has any diet restrictions due to ethnic/religious reasons, the parent will need to provide those additional food items. You are welcomed to bring cookies, donuts or special treat for the entire daycare to share on birthdays, special occasions or on holidays. Please do not bring any food to my house unless you bring enough to share for everyone in the daycare.
Meal Schedule: (times may vary occasionally)
Breakfast is served between 7:30 - 8:45 am
Snack is served between 10:45 - 11:15 am
Lunch is served between 12:30 - 1:30 pm
| I will provide: Nutritious well-balanced
meals/snacks |
Parent will provide:
Disposable diapers Parents please do not bring toys from home. Children have a hard time sharing and even harder when sharing their own toys, with the exception of when they bring show and tell items. |
Daily Schedules - Sign in/out
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I send home a daily schedule with your child each day. This schedule lets you know what activities your child was involved in throughout the day. By asking your child specific questions about their day, they will feel a closer bond to you even though you need to be away from them. I also record on the schedules what supplies your child may need and any other information I may need to share with you. I also ask that you sign in your child when you arrive in the morning and sign out when you pick your child up.
I will accept a child with common cold symptoms. If your child becomes ill they must maintain a temperature below 100 degrees for 24 hours without the use of fever reducers, like Tylenol or Motrin, to be well enough to return to my home. Keep your child home if your child shows signs of illness or requires the aid of over-the-counter medication to regulate their body temperature. Some signs of illness that warrant exclusion from care include, but not limited to, are: diarrhea, fever (over 100), severe pain, vomiting, labored breathing, rashes or hives, excessive coughing, eye discharge, abnormal stool or urine or children who are lethargic, not acting like themselves or are unable to participate in regular daily activities. Your child must be symptom free, without the use of medication, for 24 hours before they can return to daycare. If your child requires antibiotics, there is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before your child can return to my home. I will not administer non-prescription medication. A doctor's note may be requested for certain illnesses such as chicken pox, strep throat or any other highly contagious illnesses. If your child requires a special diet, due to illness, they need to be able to eat a regular diet, including drinking milk, before they are well enough to return to daycare. In the event your child becomes ill while in my care, I will notify you so that your child can be picked up immediately. I will keep you updated on the illnesses at my daycare. If you plan to keep your child home due to illness or for any other reason, please contact me ASAP before your contracted drop-off time.
Our naptime is usually between 1:45 - 3:45 p.m.. These times can vary depending on our activity that day. All children are required to rest.
Children generally achieve toilet training between the ages of 2 1/2 to 3 years old. (some earlier, some later) If potty training is begun when your child is ready, it can be quick and easy. Once potty training has begun tights, overalls and onesies are not allowed. Pants/shorts with elastic waists and loose fitting clothes are best. This helps with self-esteem and potty training success. Some signs to look for include appropriate language skills to communicate the need to use the potty, staying dry for long periods of time, the ability to dress and undress themselves and an interest in staying dry and clean. Please realize this is your child's accomplishment and not yours or mine. Children should not be compared to how others are doing.
Discipline is used only to teach a child, not as a punishment
The following methods of discipline are used in my day care:
*I will encourage children old enough to solve their own problems (with correct modeling from me, when needed)
*Intervention and discussion
*Redirect them to another area
*Loss of privileges
*Child time-out
I maintain an open door policy. This means you are always welcomed to call or drop in to see your child at any time during regular hours. You are required to let me know of your presence before entering my home. Knock, than enter. Open door policy does NOT mean my door will always be unlocked. For the children's safety, I would not want unwanted or unexpected visitors to enter without my knowledge. I also don't want little ones to leave the house unsupervised, your child's safety is my first priority. Please remember if you do visit your child, the other children and your child may react in an excited manner that does not normally occur when I am alone with the children. Care is offered between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.(with a max of 9 1/2 hours of care per day) Hours of care will be based on your individual work schedule. I contract for full-time care, 4 or 5 days a week, Monday through Friday. I would consider part time on a temporary basis. I am here for you while you are at work. If you are not at work your child should be with you. As much as they enjoy being at my house they also enjoy spending extra time with Mom and Dad. If you pick up your child early for any reason such as a doctors appointment, family gathering, etc. they will be signed out for the remainder of the day. The State of Illinois requires that authorities be contacted should a child be left at a childcare facility after hours. If your child is left at my facility after hours, without prior arrangements, I will attempt to reach the parent by phone. If unsuccessful, than I will call those people listed on your state form. If no contact or arrangements have been made by 5:30 p.m. the police and Department of Child and Family Services will be contacted and the child will be turned over to the authorities and all late fees will apply.
Maternity policy: If you take maternity leave and have an older child in my care, that child can attend 4 days a week at your full time rate, Monday through Thursday with hours not to exceed 8:30am to 4:00pm. Anytime before or after that time will incur a $1.00 a minute charge. Maternity leave can be up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
Multiple children: (caring for siblings) If one child is picked up early due to illness or for any other reason the sibling will also be picked up. If one child does not attend, due to illness or any other reason, the second child will also not attend. There are some exceptions to this rule at times: due to the severity of the illness and our planned activities. These exceptions will be determined by the provider.
Paid Holidays
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I will be closed the following holidays. These will be paid days.
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Years Eve
New Years Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
(If these holidays fall on a weekend, the day before or after will be taken)
When Halloween day falls on a weekday I will close at 3:30 p.m. so all the
children can go trick or treating with their families. After 3:30 p.m. all
late fees will apply.
Training/Personal/Sick Days
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The State requires that I have a minimum of 15 hours of training per year. I average closer to 30 hours of training. This training is to enhance my knowledge to provide quality care for your child. I reserve 2 paid days per contract year for training to help me fulfill these required hours. I will be taking 11 paid personal days off during the contract year (Sept-Aug). These days are used for personal use or time with my family. Advance notice will be given when possible. If you need care while I am gone it is your responsibility to make alternative child care arrangements. In the event I come down with an illness-such as vomiting, high fever or other symptoms that would prevent me from safely caring for the children, and need to close the morning care is to be provided, this day will be taken as a sick day, separate from my personal days, with no deductions to the weekly rate.
Payment/Payment Procedures
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My fee is due on Fridays, or last day your child will be in attendance, for the following week that care is provided. My weekly fee for full-time care, which could consist of 4 or 5 days, is $250.00. Checks could be deposited on the weekend; postdated checks will not be accepted. If, for any reason your child is not in attendance on any given Friday, payment is still expected before 5:00 p.m. Any payment received after this time will be accessed an additional $30.00 fee to be paid on Monday morning at drop off. No deductions will be made from the weekly rate when service is available; such as child arrives late, or departs early or child does not require service for any reason. When you go on vacation, payment is due before you leave. Please pick-up and drop-off your child as close to your contracted time as possible. I require a call if your child will be arriving later or picked up earlier. A fee of $1.00 per minute will be charged if your child is dropped off before 7:00a.m. or 7:30 a.m., or picked up after 4:30 pm or 5:00 p.m, depending on your individually contracted time. I contract for up to 9 1/2 hours of care. Your two options would be between the hours of 7am-4:30pm or 7:30am-5pm. Any accrued fees from early drop off or late pick up are payable with your next tuition payment. I will accept cash or personal checks-payable to Marsha Nelson. If a check is returned to me from the bank, the parent will be responsible for all bank charges and you may be asked to pay in cash for future payments. To reserve an opening in my day care, for up to 2(two) weeks, a deposit of a week's tuition is required. This deposit is non-refundable and will be applied towards the first week of care. If you wish to hold the spot for longer than 2 weeks, please discuss this with me. All slots are considered open and available until I receive the required forms, with deposit equal to one weeks tuition.
Enrollment Requirements/drop
off-pick up
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The following forms are required to be filled out and returned to me for attendance in my day care:
*2 State forms-Record of Child Information and Consents to Day Care Providers
*State also requires that I have a copy of
your child's birth certificate on file ( review explanation below)
*Parent/Provider Partnership agreement form
*Food Program application (the week care begins)
*Doctor's physical form (within 2 weeks of care)
*Photo Release form
Birth Certificate requirements: (Directly from state regulations) All parents or guardians of a child to be enrolled for the first time shall provide a certified copy of your child's birth certificate or other reliable proof of identity and age of the child within 30 days after enrollment. If certified copy of birth certificate is not available the parent or guardian must submit a passport, visa or other government documentation as proof of the child's identity and age and an affidavit or notarized letter explaining the inability to produce a certified copy of the birth certificate. If parent fails to supply the above information in the required 30 day time line local police will be notified. If that occurs, the parent will be notified in writing that the police have been notified.
Separation: It is normal for children to have a difficult time separating from parents, or cry when being dropped off. Please be brief when you drop off your child. The longer you prolong the departure, the harder it becomes for your child. A smile, cheerful good-bye, kiss and a reassuring word that you will be back are all that is needed. In my many years of experience children are always quick to get involved in play or activities as soon as parents are gone. Please be very brief at pick-up times also.
In the event of an emergency, I will call 911 and then administer the appropriate care, you will then be contacted. In case of an emergency, I have two back ups to rely on. If your child gets hurt and it is not an emergency, I will contact you and discuss the situation. If I need to leave the house for any reason (doctors appointment, running to the store etc.) I will leave my husband, Bob in charge. I have a written fire evacuation plan and practice tornado and fire drills monthly as required by the State. I also have a written Hazard protection plan which is located on my parent board in my entryway, along with fire and tornado drills. My home is inspected 2 times a year by the Schaumburg Fire Department for fire safety.
You can expect me to
set limits and boundaries for non-desirable behavior.
give your child positive reinforcement and encouragement in all they do.
provide your child with a loving and safe place to be.
expose your child to many different experiences.
provide developmentally appropriate activities.
provide nutritionally balanced meals and snacks.
have a genuine concern for your child and their needs
have a open, honest communication with you about your child
I expect from you, the parents
to discuss with me any concerns or questions you may have. (Communication is
very important to me)
to pick-up and drop-off at your contracted times or call when you will be
earlier or later.
to notify me when you are not coming.
to take an interest in your child's day.
prompt payment of fees
to bring your child rested and ready for a day of activities.
to have an open and honest communication with me.
I expect your child
to respect others and property.
to treat others kindly.
to take turns and share.
to be polite and use their words (when age allows)
to not bite, push, hit or throw objects.
to help pick up after themselves.
My house rules include
no swearing or taking the Lord's name in vain or using words like dumb, stupid
or shut-up.
no running in the house, no climbing on the furniture or jumping off furniture.