My name is Debra, and I am a Category B Registered provider in the State of Iowa. This means I am able to 'care for a maximum number of six children at one time plus 4 school-age children plus two part-time children'. When more than 8 are present for two or more hours, I must have an assistant. I offer 1st & 2nd shift and Saturday hours {as needed} to part-time/full-time clients. Curious Kidz HCC opened in Summer 2001.

I graduated from Linn-Mar highschool in 1985. I graduated from the University of Iowa in May 1990 with a Political Science degree. My intent was never to be a lawyer, so as a career -- Political Science didn't go far. I returned to School a few years later and finished the credits I needed to receive a Sociology degree from U of Iowa.

My husband, Tom and I have been married since August 1997 and our son, Alec Henry, was born in January 2001. Tom works at an auto parts store but on his days off the children enjoy seeing him. Alec has always looked forward to having his "friends" visit.

My first foray into teaching was working with junior high students when I was in highschool. I assisted our church's Tentmaker with the youth and found that I loved it. I have an easy rapport with younger children which I think comes from an understanding of social interactions and psychology. Years later those children would still seek me out and thank me for motivating them. I've also worked with preschoolers during summer bible schools and Sunday schools for years either in teaching directly or assisting. Also, I babysat many younger children beginning at age 14.

Working with infants/toddlers/preschoolers has been such a rewarding and fun learning experience for me. It has led me to understand that how they think affects their behaviors just as much as what they are learning does.

I enjoy watching the children learn something new every day. We work on social skills and mental activities; both of which will stay with them throughout their lives.

MY GOAL is to give your child a clean, happy, safe, loving, learning family-like environment in which they can grow socially and intellectually. I give the children in my care opportunities to learn fine motor, large motor, language, manners, social skills, and self-help skills in a family-like setting with mixed age groups. Your children will receive quality personal and individualized care in a warm and loving home. I do not follow a strict regiment of scheduled "class" time but instead I give the children every opportunity to turn play time into a learning experience. The children's own signals determine what we will do and if OR how long they are capable of receiving structured learning time. In order for me to work towards these goals, it is necessary to establish a set of guidelines upon which the daycare will be operated. I do expect the children to follow many of the same rules that you may have in place in your own home.

MY PHILOSOPHY is that a warm and nurturing environment one in which children learn about themselves and their environment through their surroundings as well as interactions with others. Our daily activities are intended as an opportunity for the children to begin building and improving social skills through their social interactions in a family-like environment. The children are continually challenged [by me] to make their own decisions, share their feelings, to interact in a "healthy" social manner, and to create their own idea of self. A child's imagination is a wonderful thing and our days are spent in pretend play and role shadowing (ie--pretending to be a fireman), playing visual and mental games (ie-red light/green light or matching activities). In order to not have children think anger is a nasty thing, I will often allow (with supervision, of course) an argument to escalate so that I may encourage them to talk it out. This fosters sharing, taking turns, and the growth of compromise.

MY DAYCARE SCHEDULE emphasizes on the interactions between myself and the children. This structure helps children develop their independence, build self-control, and establish trust. The children learn to make their own positive social decisions while I provide necessary instruction and guidance. My hope is that the child will not be aware they are being molded, guided or directed. This is so the child develops their self-esteem while also learning positive attitudes and positive social behavior. I employ a technique of "small steps" [such as learning colors] before taking on a more advanced step of, say, distinguishing shapes. Each child, upon enrollment, will be evaluated for their learning level and what they "should" know at their age.

CURRICULUM includes not only a planned series of age-appropriate activities but also is instructed in playtime/freeplay. Activities like walking, running, and jumping will develop gross motor skills. The development of children's' fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination will be in such activities as building with blocks, lacing, drawing, coloring, and playing with playdoh. Learning a new skill [a new color or building a tower] will fill the child with a great deal of pride.

I KNOW THE ANXIETY that comes with leaving your child in someone's else's care and trusting them to provide the level of care you want for your child. As a Professional Childcare Provider, I feel communication is an essential part of this arrangement. Please feel free to have discussions with me in any area you may feel uncomfortable or may be having a problem, either in daycare or at home. It is very important for us to maintain honest and open communication concerning your child's well-being and care. It has been my experience that confronting problems early on helps to dispel any bad feeling to come up later. If I have done something that you do not feel comfortable with, discussing the matter will give me the chance to better myself and provide you and others with better service.

THE BENEFITS of my home childcare are: that your child will have the same caregiver for the time he/she is here. Children need the consistency of having the same people involved in their daily care. Another benefit is the child is exposed to a limited number of children each day and therefore exposed to fewer illnesses. Finally, in a small home group, your child will receive much more individual attention and are given more freedom of movement and expression since a small group is easier to manage. Also, the children develop a close association to each other which develops mutual give and take friendships.