Totland Philosophly

Totland was created to provide a caring, loving, nurturing and encouraging environment for your child. I want your child to be happy, have fun and receive the attention they need. My goal is to allow your child to grow and develop to his/her fullest potential. I believe each child is unique and develops in their own way, at their own pace. Children learn through different ways and I will try to accommodate your child as best as I can. I will encourage learning through play, exploration, and developmentally appropriate practices. No child will be pushed to learn at a set time or pace. All appropriate resources will be available to your child to learn a variety of concepts and skills. Through self-orientation and provider guidance, your child will thrive in their learning experience. I want to be able to provide the best care for your child and develop a meaningful relationship between child, provider, and parent. 

 What a day looks like:

8:30-9:00am Arrive, transition to Totland

9:00-10:00am Curriculum and Activites

10:00am AM Snack

10:15-11:15am Outside Play

11:15am Transition inside, Clean up

11:30am Lunch

12:00-2:30 Naptime

2:30- 3:00 Transition, Diapering, Quiet Play

3:00pm PM Snack

3:15-5:30 Storytime, Free Play, and Depatures

Our program is not fully structured. This is an outline for the day. I believe in a good amount of freedom of choice for the children. Flexibility is a key element in a quality early childhood program. The program needs to be able to adjust to the needs and moods of the children depending on the day, while having consistency. We will have planned activites and curriculum, such as a cooking project, science experiment, song, etc.  which the children wil be encouraged, not forced to participate. Creative art and hands-on learning materials will be available daily. We may have days that consist of water activites, for those hot summer days, face paint, or a re-enactment of a story. Trips to the local library or park and outings to the zoo or museum could also occur. I want your child to be able to experience and learn about life and the joy of childhood.

About Me

Amanda Melgar

• 24 units in Early Childhood Education
• Courses include:

1. Infant/ Toddler Development
2. Child Development- The Early Years
3. Child Development- Middle Childhood and Adolesence
4. Family Childcare
5. Curriculum for Early Childhood Programs
6. Literacy Development Activites for the Young Child
7. Health, Safety and Nutrition for the Young Child

• Infant, Child, Adult Current CPR/First Aid Certified
• Fingerprint and Background Clearance
• Over five years experience as a nanny, preschool teacher, home childcare assitant, and home childcare owner/operator working with children ages 4mon-8yrs
• A Creative, Caring, and Patient Person

Picture drawn for me, by a previous child I cared for.

Pictures from my previous work as a nanny.

Learning Through Play

When I'm building in the block room,

Please don't say I'm "Just Playing"

For, you see, I'm learning as I play;

About balance and shapes.

Who knows, I may be an architect someday.

When I’m getting all dressed up,

setting the table, caring for the babies,

Don't get the idea I’m "Just Playing",

For, you see, I’m learning as I play;

I may be a mother or father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint,

Or standing at an easel; or molding and shaping clay,

Please don't let me hear you say, "He is Just Playing".

For, you see. I’m learning as I play,

I'm expressing myself and being creative.

I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me sitting in a chair

"Reading" to an imaginary audience,

Please don't laugh and think I'm "Just Playing".

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,

Or packing my pockets with choice things I find,

Don't pass it off as "Just Play".

For, you see, I'm learning as I play.

I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or

some "plaything" at my school,

Please don't feel the time is wasted in “Play".

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I’m learning to solve problems and concentrate.

I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods,

Please don’t think that because I enjoy it, it is “Just Play”.

I’m learning to follow directions and see differences.

I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learn to skip, hop, run, and move my body,

Please don't say I'm "Just Playing".

For, you see, I'm learning as I play.

I'm learning how my body works.

I may be a doctor, nurse, or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I've done at school today.

And I say, “I Just Played"

Please don't misunderstand me.

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in my work.

I'm preparing for tomorrow.

Today, I am a child and my work is play.

-Just Playing

By Anita Wadley