Welcome!
Thank You for considering my services for your child. I started this business in 2002, in order to provide quality, reliable daycare for my own children. I believe care and guidance for young children is very important. Not to sound like a song but our children are the future and how they are cared for now helps to develop who they will become. I choose to provide home child care over pursuing a career because I really wanted to stay with my own children. Providing quality childcare for other children allows myself and my family to do this. I truly hope your childcare experience will be a positive one. With that in mind, I make it my goal to provide your children with the best care possible. This handbook is intended to clarify my philosophy and principles, and describes the conditions under which I agree to provide care. Please feel free to discuss any questions or concerns you may have at any time.
Welcome to Lil' Munchkins!
Sincerely,
Jen Wilson

My Philosophy of Quality Care:

I will strive to provide a safe, comfortable, stimulating, fun, educational environment in my home with a semi-structured day plan. Activities will include free playtime, structured playtime, large motor skill playtime, small motor skills activities, story time and theater activities, arts and crafts, music and dance activities, nature and ecology awareness, nutrition, cultural activities, and other educational yet fun activities. I will also provide nutritious meals and snacks, and encourage good personal hygiene skills and manners.
Television viewing is used during drop-off (8-9a), Lunch prep (10:30-11:15), occasional nap times (12-1) and pick-up times (4:30-5:30pm).
Through a mixture of guided and undirected creative play, children in my care will have the opportunity to learn about color, shapes, textures, numbers, letters, animals, seasons, feelings, senses, nutrition, personal hygiene, manners, basic science and math concepts, and creative concepts such as "pretend" play, art, music, drama, and dance. These may sound like lofty goals for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, but children can learn all of these things and more through creative play. I do not believe in pushing any child to learn at an accelerated rate, and will not make a child feel pressured to achieve any developmental milestones. By providing the right kind of fun safe environment, I believe that children will learn at their own appropriate pace.

Number of Children in my Care:

I follow the State of Illinois regulations for Family Day Care Home, which limit the total enrollment to one to seven children cared for in the provider�s personal residence. The provider�s own children under 12 years of age must be included in the total count. Lil' Munchkins is a very small Day Care home. We are different than most Day Care's because we limit the number of children that are enrolled. (I guarantee a small group of up to four children only!) By staying small I feel I am able to provide the quality care and nurturing atmosphere that your child deserves.

Assistant Providers:

Occasionally, I will ask my husband or Mom to help watch the children in my home or during a prearranged field-trip. This will be rare but necessary for emergencies. Alternate care is the responsibility of the Parents when Lil' Munchkins is closed.