Nora's Family Daycare, Alexandria

Welcome to Noras Family Daycare, growing little minds in Alexandria, Virginia since 1997.

Hi, my name is Nora. My husband Paul and I live in the Collingwood area of Alexandria, VA near Waynewood Elementary School. I have been providing licensed family child care in our home since Feb 1997. I am bilingual, fluent in English and French. Our house is pet free and non smoking; we are very conscious of the environment. My hobbies are reading, arts & crafts and gardening. I share my love for these activities with the kids all year long. We have a big garden in our backyard that attracts butterflies, birds, and chipmunks that visit us at lunch time, to the delight of all the kids. I attend ongoing training in many areas including child development, safety, and literacy. I have attended more than 425 hours of training since 1997. I am CPR/First Aid and M.A.T certified (Medication Administration Training) to ensure your childs safety. I have been a member of the Virginia Alliance of Family Childcare Association since 1998.

Noras Family Daycare offers a safe, fun, and nurturing home environment. It is my belief that a child learns more with a foundation of love, happiness, patience, confidence, and positive reinforcement. Through a variety of stimulating educational activities I promote success in social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills. Activities will include free playtime, structured playtime, large motor skill playtime, small motor skill activities, story time and theater activities, arts and crafts, music and dance activities, nature and ecology awareness, nutrition, cultural activities, and other fun educational activities. My Early Literacy Curriculum for infants/toddlers/preschoolers is implemented in our daily routine through interactive books, which come alive with our extended activities in art, music, movement, outdoor play, and science exploration. Kids will learn by doing things themselves and by providing them with an endless amount of enthusiasm, as well as tools with which to explore. Our daycare is filled with toys, games, musical instruments, sensory material, and age-appropriate books to expand their knowledge. A second language is spoken during the day through songs, finger play, games, and direct conversation in French. We have a large child friendly backyard, equipped with fun and safe playing equipment for children of all ages. We go outside twice a day, and eat outside as weather permits, to enjoy nature and listen to the birds. As soon as spring comes kids will be exploring digging in our garden, planting, watering vegetables, fruits and flowers. I incorporate lots of fun activities into their daily schedule that include arts and crafts, structured-play, water play, painting, music, movement, and coloring. I also provide nutritious meals and snacks. Food served is homemade, using natural, healthy ingredients to prepare all meals. Baked goods like bread, muffins, banana bread, cookies, pancakes, and waffles, are mostly homemade. The environment is peanut-free. As they get older, kids will participate in the cooking process as we make our bread, pizza, muffin, cookies, fruit salad, etc. My program is enrolled with the USDA Food program. I also encourage good personal hygiene skills and manners.

It is important that children have the opportunity to explore their environment and learn at their own pace through first-hand experiences. The activities offered are child-directed and are developed from the childrens abilities and interests. Our goal is to provide a home away from home where your child will learn and grow with patience, love, and laughter. Patience is something I use and teach at Noras Family Daycare. I know that kids do not operate on the same schedule as we do. Our daily routine is adjusted based on the childrens requests, attitudes, moods, and of course the weather. It is important to me that the children are safe, content, and happy while in my care. My goal is to provide a fun and safe learning environment for your child, while encouraging social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development. Your child will receive high quality and individualized care in a warm and loving home, where they can feel safe and happy, and can begin to build confidence and a positive self image. Our home is designed to provide both a nurturing home atmosphere along with large dedicated areas for the children to actively learn and play in a stimulating environment with spacious rooms rich in color giving each child an exciting world full of opportunities to explore, learn, and grow. Your children will receive the kind of close attention they deserve, helping to enable them to reach their full potential. All the children after the adjustment period are very happy to come and play together, their social skills develop rapidly as the months go by, and friendships become strong. This multi-age group setting allows the youngest to learn from the oldest in a gentle manner, the oldest helping the youngest raise high their self esteem. The oldest learn to take turns, and teach the youngest without rivalry. Each day, you will receive an evaluation report of your child so that you are kept updated on how and what they did that day, how much they ate, how long they napped, and what their mood was like. I understand that you are trusting me to care of your child, and I take this responsibility very seriously. I look forward to the opportunity to care for your child, while providing a positive influence in their life. I am excited to be able to provide your child with top quality care.