ENROLLMENT NEWS

Smaller Scholar is currently closed due to the Coronavirus. We have plans to reopen with NEW SPOTS available for INFANTS and TODDLERS ages 3 months to 3 years. To put your baby on the waiting list, please provide the following information by phone or email:

• Your baby’s NAME and AGE (or due date)

• DATE you anticipate wanting to begin care

• Your family’s PHONE, EMAIL, and snail-mail ADDRESS

• A little bit about YOU! …Why does Smaller Scholar feel like the right fit for your child? What are you looking for in a quality daycare?

(805) 666-1428

SmallerScholarCC@gmail.com

CORE VALUES & BELIEFS

“We not only respect babies, we demonstrate our respect every time we interact with them. Respecting a child means treating even the youngest infant as a unique human being, not as an object. It is important to focus on what matters most: the connection between ourselves and the baby in our care. In attuning to the baby, we learn to trust the baby and ourselves.”

- Magda Gerber

When caring for children, I am a big believer in creating close and trusting RELATIONSHIPS and having and demonstrating RESPECT. This is reflected in every interaction I have with infants and toddlers. After all, each baby is born with their own unique disposition and demeanor. ...As early as a few weeks old, you sense their likes, dislikes, and personality! That’s what I really love and admire about babies: they start out life being fiercely and uniquely themselves! My job is not to quash that.

So, while we play with toys, read books, sing songs, dance, and explore outdoors… I am actively listening and watching, meeting their needs for trust and safety, staying open to their wishes, and following their lead! Depending on the child, they may make their best discoveries when calm or stimulated, in the morning or afternoon, one-on-one or with peers. …I observe and find out! Then I adapt to their individual style.

In general, I follow the “educaring” approach outlined in the RIE Philosophy of Magda Gerber. I also like to adapt the learning environment to the child and “learn as I teach” according to the Reggio Emilia Approach. You can read more about both of these two approaches here.

THE BASICS

Safe

It's difficult to trust that your child will be safe from hazards when away from home. I choose to follow most Title 22 requirements for safety and sanitization of Infant Care Centers, which are even more stringent than the required standards for family daycare licensing.

Clean

One valid concern of parents is that any child in daycare is more prone to colds. Keeping a very clean environment is just one of the ways I keep my Smaller Scholars healthier. My disinfection procedures use peroxide, rather than bleach, which is safer for children -- and for the planet.

Serene

Many moms and dads are worried about over-stimulation, which can lead to inattention, school disinterest, and even ADHD later in life. My environment is restful and relaxing, without the bright plastics, flashing lights, noise, or multi-age groups you may find at large centers.

Get to Know Me! -A letter from “Nanny Annie”:

Safe, clean, and serene -- These are words I live by. I believe that when a baby begins from a place of trust, health, and calm, they can grow the confidence to blossom into the joyful genius they were meant to be! I believe there is no substitute for consistent supervision and conscientious safety. I also feel that care for zero-to-threes should be attentive and loving -- never just absent-minded babysitting!

Since my husband and I were foster parents for 5 years, I have attended over 100 hours of classes in youth care. I have also spent the greater part of my life advocating for children (as a trained educational rights holder for foster children; homeless youth representative for the school district; and member of a State of California Quality Parenting Initiative Committee). 

Aside from being a daycare mom and foster mom, I also worked briefly as a social worker (in child welfare and with disabled adults), as well as in management support for the county welfare department.  Going even further back, I worked in the administration of a private elementary school for over 10 years. Spending each day with K-8 teachers for over a decade was truly a blessing! I was lucky enough to absorb a wealth of knowledge.

Together with my husband Steve, an engineer, we have 5 adult children. Now that they're grown, I get to return to the work I love the most: caring for infants and toddlers!

Nanny’s Photo Gallery

READING ALOUD

One of the most important things we can do as caregivers of babies and toddlers is to read aloud to them! Studies have shown that children who have heard complex language spoken, early and often, have a better vocabulary -- and higher standardized test scores -- even much later in life! And why should that concern us? We don't give too much importance to test scores, but the real reason is that ease with language leads to better reading skill. ...And reading skill leads to an enjoyment of reading. ...And reading is the key to ALL education -- including college!

REMEMBERING “RETRO” MANNERS!