MISSION STATEMENT
Quality Child Care
From language and literacy development to social skills and creative expression, the children at The Little Red Wagon Daycare are constantly being exposed to new activities and environments in which to thrive. We build on the strengths and interests of each child to help build a solid foundation where they can develop their skills through the best way children learn, playing!
ABOUT THE LITTLE RED WAGON DAYCARE
The Director's Philosophy
I believe whole-heartedly that each child is unique and possesses special qualities that I have a responsibility to foster and nurture. I feel that getting to know each child and their family is step one to teaching to the best of my ability. Knowing their interests and finding something I share in common with the family and child, that I can tap into, is the sweet spot for securing a strong attachment with the child. Being honest and somewhat vulnerable with them, transmits my genuineness and opens a safe and loving line of communication. I believe in being patient and talking to the child with mutual respect when handling their big emotions and quick-to-change moods and behaviors. I have found these techniques, and a healthy balance of professionalism, yet openness, to be very effective in my 12 years of owning a licensed childcare facility. I take a lot of pride in the relationships I build with every family I serve. To me, having the honor of being the person a family chooses to care for and teach their child is a huge privilege I do not take lightly. Being a parent myself, I understand how much it means to entrust someone with your children.
I believe the best way children learn is through natural and organic, yet intentional play. I feel that a project-based approach, leading with the child’s interest is most effective. For example, I would support the interest of a child who recently went on vacation and has a newfound excitement for travel by placing maps, a variety of transportation vehicles and a road rug out for them to explore and create with. This would provide them the opportunity to cultivate their social-emotional development, practice their collaboration, problem solving, math, geography, social studies and passage of time skills. I believe in giving children the tools they need to further their interests and support their creative development through play. This approach has served me well given the varying ages of children I teach. Not only is it effective, but it is also very rewarding to observe. It is my sincerest passion to see the excitement on a child’s face when they make that connection to a learning topic and something they’ve personally experienced. To me, that is what education is all about, getting to be that person who witnesses the first-hand beauty of child development. Being the individual who aided a child in reaching a new milestone, mastering a new skill, or solving a problem, and being able to celebrate that with the child and share it with a parent is what really excites me as an educator. Concerning the child, I feel it is also my duty to understand how each one learns best and make them and their family aware of that learning style. I believe early education is the foundation of all basic life skills, from working well with others to learning how to become a free thinker, crucial learning elements that will carry them into a successful adulthood.
-Connie Marshall