Daycare in durham: Our Program | Wildflower Cottage
Our Program | Wildflower Cottage
“What do you dream about in your loveliest of dreams?
Do you dream about flying high or rainbows reaching across the sky? Do you dream about being free to do what your heart desires? Or about being treated like a full person no matter how young you might be?”
—Archbishop Desmond Tutu
First and foremost, any dream for our children requires an unfailing commitment to best practice.
Wildflower Cottage for Children is dedicated to high quality Early Childhood Education. This commitment to high quality is critical to the children in our care. It is also vital as we equip parents to serve as advocates for their children’s education, inspire colleagues in our community, and signal to policy-makers that children must be our top planning priority.
Our dream is:
- That children may be given the freedom to dream, explore, and make choices.
- That children will be respected as joyful learners and teachers.
- To enjoy and create beauty.
- That we will respect and celebrate diversity as we love our neighbors.
- For children to cultivate a respect and responsibility for our natural world.
- For children to attempt many solutions and persevere.
- For conflicts to be embraced as opportunities for communication and growth.
- For each individual to experience meaningful relationships and a deep sense of belonging.
- To create a community of justice and peace through acts of compassion.
- That learning will endure for a lifetime!
Mission Statement
The mission of Wildflower Cottage for Children is to provide a home-like environment that nurtures the minds and spirits of young children.
Vision Statement
The vision of Wildflower Cottage for Children is to partner young children and adults in a community where they can connect and discover together.
“Learning and teaching should not stand on opposite banks and just watch the river flow by; instead, they should embark together on a journey down the water. Through an active, reciprocal exchange, teaching can strengthen how to learn.”
—Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the Reggio Emilia Approach
It has been our intentional design to create a cozy, home-like learning environment where:
- We have renovated a 1920’s cottage with wrap-around porch to feel more like “home” than “school.”
- Our learning environment twinkles with ambient light, warm colors, enchanting music, soft furnishings, plants, authentic play objects, and a range of activity areas which have been crafted for 1 or 2 friends at a time.
- Our daily schedule has large blocks of uninterrupted time and few transitions—the proven recipe for children to savor their learning experiences!
Children are naturally curious learners who are capable of shaping the process of their own learning, most especially when they are able to express their thoughts and creativity through the many ways of learning.
The Reggio Emilia Approach is a global educational project that began in the town and surrounding area of Reggio Emilia, Italy, and has inspired other schools and communities all over the world to value teachers as partners in learning, families as an instrumental members of the learning community, and learning environments that dazzle children’s senses and invite curiosity and discovery.
Wildflower Cottage for Children is beginning to partner with St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and the community at large, to provide intergenerational experiences with senior adult volunteers. We will coordinate times for these special volunteers to read, garden, picnic, woodwork, bake, play instruments, participate in music classes and puppet shows, etc. We are excited about the possibilities!
Wildflower Cottage is a place where children can dance in the wind, discover bugs, grow a flower, smell an herb, create with rocks, investigate, ask deep questions, and daydream. Natural materials—both indoors and out—provide children with a sense of calm and wonder.
Each time we head to nature, we see something new, something beautiful, and something we may never see again. Each time a child engages in nature, he finds an ever-changing environment that offers new possibilities. Whether it is a decomposing log, large loose parts to construct freely, or a plant palette which changes with each season, there is a promise that every time a child visits that space, their experience will be different from the last. There is something for every child to explore and enjoy in very unique ways.
Research increasingly shows that the first years of a child’s life are critical to shaping their future health and development. As childcare providers, small changes that we make can have a big impact upon the children in our care. By reducing toxins, we are helping to prevent illnesses like asthma, certain learning disabilities, and even some forms of cancer.
Eco-Healthy Child Care certification is a national program that partners with child care professionals to eliminate or reduce environmental health hazards found within or around child care facilities. Wildflower Cottage has become one of only five certified programs in Durham.
Wildflower Cottage is:
- A good neighbor to children by providing ratios lower than 5-star requirements. By having more staff than required, we have flexibility to build stronger relationships and model compassion toward others. This extra coverage will also allow for ease during special events.
- A good neighbor to parents by offering Home Visits, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Family Workdays, and Family-Building Events. Parenting is an exhilarating—and sometimes frightening—job! We will do our best to support and provide partners along the journey.
- A good neighbor to our staff by being ethical employers, striving to compensate fairly, and encouraging professional development and fulfillment.
- A good neighbor to community helpers and business owners by incorporating their skills into our program. Examples include: local firefighters, dog-groomers, farmers, actors, librarians, musicians, artists, etc.
- A good neighbor to those in need by donating supplies, time, or money through collaborative service projects. We believe that children who learn to give joyfully eventually become adults who do the same!
- A good neighbor for our local economy by being responsible stewards of our revenue and assuring parents that their tuition is going directly back into the program.
- A good neighbor within the childcare industry by being willing to host student teachers, interns, educational therapists, and researchers in the field of Early Childcare Education.
- A good neighbor to local, state, and federal governments by advocating for policy changes which will impact Early Childhood Education and ultimately the health of all governing systems.
- A good neighbor to the environment by choosing Eco-Healthy practices from the initial set-up of the program.
Conscious Discipline is a comprehensive social and emotional intelligence classroom management program that empowers both teachers and students. Based upon current brain research, child development information, and developmentally appropriate practices, the goal of the program is to provide systematic changes in centers and schools by fostering the emotional intelligence of teachers first and children second.
Parents often ask, “Will my child be ready for kindergarten?” We encourage parents to breathe a sigh of relief and realize that kindergarten is not an end-goal, but yet another beautiful step in your child’s journey.
We use a guide entitled North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development. This guide has been published and formally endorsed by the NC Board of Education. Much like the “Standard Course of Study” for Kindergarten through 12th grade, NC Foundations is a compilation of learning experiences that children should ideally experience by the end of their preschool years.
Welcome to Wildflower Cottage for Children!
The vision for this program began years ago as a tiny seed. At the time, the “seed” was simply an observation that American education had taken a path of increased academic structure, indoor environments, and consumerism. When brain research consistently supports the advantages of freedom, outdoor experiences, and imaginative play, why has this happened?
At the time, I had been the Executive Director of a 5-star, NAEYC-accredited child care program in Durham for many years. Many faculty members and families there had also been gardening their own strongly-held beliefs about early childhood education, family values, and their commitment the community. We began to dream and plant together.
As we sowed seeds together, ideas of all varieties began to sprout:
We continued to provide rich soil, water, and sunshine, and the vision began to blossom! Of course, gardening requires patience.
Wildflower Cottage launched in January 2017 as one classroom of 3-5 year old children in temporary space. In August 2019, we expanded to include 1-2 year old children. In December 2020, we were able to purchase our “forever home.” We began renovation in Fall 2021, completed it during Summer 2022, and finally relocated for the beginning of the 2022-2023 year!
We are also visioning the process of partnering with senior adults in the community who will “adopt” us. They will be screened, oriented, and matched to a spectrum of intergenerational activities (sending birthday cards, baking, doing art, producing puppet shows, planting, reading books, etc.). This is a beautiful and compelling goal for our future.
Wildflower Cottage is being cultivated by an enthusiastic board of directors, colleagues in early childhood education, local parents, neighboring non-profit organizations, and supporters from all walks of life. This program truly is a bouquet of hopes and dreams from a delightfully diverse community.
We are honored that you are considering how your family may grow along with us!
Krissy H. Snyder
Founder and Executive Director
2416 Pickett Road Durham 27705
(919) 891-3597 (FLWR)
© 2022 Wildflower Cottage. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Use.
Built by 88 Creative Studio.
Parents | Wildflower Cottage
Looking for Parent Paperwork?
We are grateful to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for allowing us to launch and remain within their space for 5 1/2 years. In August 2022, we were finally able to relocate to our “forever home” at 2416 Pickett Road, Durham NC 27705.
Is Wildflower Cottage full-time or part-time?
Wildflower Cottage is a full-time early childhood education program. We are open:
- Monday through Friday
- 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- 12 months per year, excluding closings as listed on our Program Calendar
Some families occasionally opt to attend fewer days per week or fewer hours per day, but they are still reserving a full-time slot.
What are typical ratios at Wildflower Cottage?
One of our strongest assets is smaller ratios, to encourage relationship-building and individual learning:
- Our toddler classroom has 12 children (1 – 2.5 years) and 3 full-time teachers.
- Our middler classroom has 14 children (2.5 – 3.5 years) and 3 full-time teachers.
- Our preschooler classroom has 20 children (3.5-5 years) and 3 full-time teachers.
Why is Wildflower Cottage a non-profit program?
We are a 501 (c) 3, non-profit organization. We selected a non-profit status in order to be transparent to all stakeholders—donors, parents, and teachers. In this way, all can be assured that revenue and donations are going directly into the program’s improvement. This designation also allows the creation of a lasting, community-based school for generations to come.
What is special about Wildflower Cottage?
Wildflower Cottage has some extraordinary assets:
- Cozy, intimate setting (warm, natural light and bare feet most of the day!)
- Curriculum inspired by the philosophies of Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Natural play materials: wood, cotton, metals, nature collections, etc. (very little plastic)
- Nature-based curriculum and schedules, utilizing 3 acres of forest “magic” (trails, climbing, creek exploration, and bamboo forts)
- Neighborhood connections and friendships within our community
Helpful Resources
We have discovered some helpful websites for parents. Wildflower Cottage does not maintain these websites, so we cannot be sure that all content is subject to our standards at all times. Please browse with care.
Health
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Healthy Children (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Kids Health
- U. S. Department of Agriculture
- The Weight of the Nation: Children in Crisis Part One
- The Weight of the Nation: Children in Crisis Part Two
- The Weight of the Nation: Children in Crisis Part Three
- Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls
Parenting
- Conscious Discipline
- Zero to Three
- Parents Television Council
Opportunities to Volunteer with Children
(Whether you have 5 minutes or 5 hours!)
- Volunteer Match (by city and keyword)
Information about Early Learning, Child Care, and Public Instruction
- Durham Public Schools-General
- North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development
- North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education
- North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
- North Carolina Early Intervention Branch
- International Children’s Digital Library (online children’s books of all languages)
2416 Pickett Road Durham 27705
(919) 891-3597 (FLWR)
© 2022 Wildflower Cottage. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Use.
Built by 88 Creative Studio.
What is a kindergarten at home and why is it better than usual?
You must have heard that in England there is a system of childcare called “home care” or, in the original, Childminder. This is actually the name of the profession, an analogue of a teacher who looks after other people’s children in his own house. But everything is not so simple. As you may have guessed, the industry is heavily regulated and audited, and in order to open such a kindergarten, you need to meet a number of requirements. Which ones – Yuliana Asaevich, founder of Wonderland Childmininding (wonderlandchildcare.org.uk) will tell us about it
— How did you get the idea to open a kindergarten at home?
– I am a business analyst by profession, I studied at the magistracy during pregnancy and defended my diploma immediately after giving birth. I was absolutely sure that immediately after the end of the decree, I would go to work in my specialty and build a career in IT. I started looking for a kindergarten for my daughter in advance and ran into a dilemma: either it was affordable, but unacceptable for me – with sandwiches for lunch, lack of a sensible routine and classes, inattentive teachers; or it was wonderful, but its cost went through the roof. For the sake of interest, I began to analyze the market of preschool institutions and realized that this is a very good business.
– Did you immediately choose the profession of Childminder?
– At first I wanted to open a large kindergarten, I prepared a business plan and went to the local government for a consultation. There, my ardor was slightly cooled, the business required large investments, and without the experience of such an activity, it might not burn out. But the consultant told me about the option of a kindergarten at home, offered to try and understand for myself whether this is my business, whether I can handle it, to delve into all the bureaucratic and managerial subtleties. I liked this idea, and I decided that I was “in business.”
— What needs to be done to open a kindergarten at home? What are the main requirements?
– First of all, you need to contact your local council, where there is usually a department of early childhood education (Early Years). They will tell you in detail about their requirements, which may vary slightly in different areas. But often the first requirement is to take a course to prepare for opening a home-based childcare. The courses are usually organized by the local government and they can be free (as in my case) or paid (approximately £200-300). Not everyone is taken to the courses, you need to pass an interview with the curator and pass an exam in mathematics and English. Interestingly, regardless of whether you have any diplomas or degrees, everyone must take exams. The course lasts three months, every week you need to hand in written work, so you need free time to study.
— Is one course enough?
— You must also complete a pediatric first aid course, which lasts two days. It was paid for by the local government, but if you rent it privately, it costs from £120. A course on protecting children (safeguarding children) was also mandatory. In order to work with children, you and all adults over the age of 16 who live in your household must obtain a clean criminal record (DBS certificate). For those who have lived in the country for more than five years, this will not be difficult. If you live here less, you may also need a certificate of good conduct from the embassy of your country. And, of course, you need a certificate from a doctor stating that you are physically and mentally fit for this job.
After all the courses have been completed and the documents have been collected, the most important thing begins – registration with Ofsted. You submit an application, attach all documents and wait for the visit of the inspector, he evaluates how your house is suitable for a kindergarten (the house must be completely safe for children), and, of course, he evaluates you. Since in a home kindergarten you have to educate and develop children, prepare them for school in the same way as in ordinary kindergartens, you must know all the requirements for EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) well, and the inspector asks a huge number of questions to see if you can do it. The visit of the inspector in my case lasted three hours. The answer is given immediately on the spot.
— For you, is it more a form of income or a vocation?
– At first, I considered this as the first step towards a business – opening a large garden. But at the same time, I realized that this is mine. I like to watch children, find an approach to them, engage in their development, see how they grow, change and progress. Now I’m studying Montessori pedagogy. I think I have found my calling.
— Why is a kindergarten at home good? What are its advantages?
– Firstly, it is psychological comfort. The child, in fact, does not go to a government institution, but as if to visit. The home environment is relaxing, it is psychologically more comfortable, children quickly get used to it and behave like at home. For all the time, not a single child has had a difficult adaptation, a maximum of three days, and then they don’t want to leave! And our children are much less likely to get sick, after all, at home you can afford a certain temperature regime, ventilate more often, adhere to the correct level of humidity … Secondly, a personal approach. With all the parents, if I’m not friends, then I communicate very closely. They trust me with the dearest, most beloved and most defenseless and vulnerable person – their child. It is important for me that they trust me, know that their child is happy and everything is fine with him. They can always write to me during the day, ask how their child slept, ask to put on a blouse, see if he coughs. I send them pictures of their baby that I take during the day. This reassures the parents.
Parents always fill out a special form, tell me about their child’s daily routine, how he falls asleep, what he likes to eat and what he doesn’t like, what he basically loves, what his favorite books are, favorite characters. Then I can prepare and buy, for example, dishes for this child with his favorite characters, prepare his favorite toys and books so that he feels comfortable.
And, of course, a big plus is our flexibility. Parents can always call me and say – we’re having a little party here after work, can I leave the child until 8? Or, for example, the train was canceled and they are late, I will always look after such a baby, feed him dinner and entertain him until his parents arrive. Kindergartens, on the other hand, impose impressive fines for being late.
– Are there any disadvantages?
– The main drawback is the human factor. In a home kindergarten, everything is tied to one person. And this person can get sick or go on vacation. It is imperative to review the contract and discuss who will look after your child in this case, and also what will happen if the childminder decides to close his kindergarten? Of course, a childminder might just be “not your” person. And it happens – that the kindergarten is wonderful, and the child is wonderful, but something is not right. Perhaps you do not like the behavior, the way he/she talks, some parenting methods, or the person is simply unpleasant. In a large kindergarten, most likely there will be no problems with changing a teacher, but in a home kindergarten there is only one way out – to leave and look for another.
In the next issue, we will tell you what you should pay attention to first of all when choosing a kindergarten at home, and about a typical day.
Elena Leslie
In the photo: Juliana Asaevich with her husband and daughter
Continuation of the material can be read here
resumes in Darema, the search for employees at the flagmate of
in Darem there is no resume in this section. Pay attention to resumes in other cities.
Sokolov A. , 28 years old, Balakhna, RU | Secondary education
looking for job in Newcastle upon Tyne, 22 km, willing to relocate, any schedule
No work experience.
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January 3, 2017
Savochkin D. , 55 years old, Minsk, BY | Vocational
looking for London, 378 km, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Cardiff…, any occupation
Work experience: 28 years, Cutter, tailor, any leather, London. Education : State Vocational College of Sewing Production, cutter, tailor for men’s and women’s outerwear, Minsk 1984 – 1989, Physically healthy, no bad habits. Accurate. Pedantic. Responsible, communicative. Ability to work in…
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April 30, 2019
Beloshapko K. , 35 years old, Minsk, BY | Higher education
looking for London, 378 km, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, full time
Experience: 14.5 years, Industrial climber, IP, Minsk. Education : bseu, economy, Minsk 2006 – 2012. bntu, engineer builder road construction, Minsk 2016 – present, I lead a healthy lifestyle, I like playing basketball. Always glad for new projects and prospects. Purposeful, stress-resistant, I can work in a team.
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May 27, 2018
Solovyov E. , 27 years old, Kherson, UA | Higher education
looking for job in London, 378 km, Liverpool, Leeds, full time
Work experience: 5.5 years, Logist, Dunapack Tavria, Kherson. 1 year, Corrugator Operator, Dunapack Tavria, Kherson. Education : Kherson National Technical University, Micro- and Nanoelectronics, Kherson 2012 – 2018, No bad habits, I lead a complete healthy lifestyle. Graduated from Kherson National Technical University with…
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February 3, 2018
Rubanov A. , 28 years old, Karaganda, KZ | Secondary education
looking for in Leeds, 109 km, willing to relocate, full time
Work experience: 1 year, Sales Manager, Too Apple city , Karagandy. 1.5 years old, Sales Manager, Too food group , Karaganday, Responsible, without bad habits, purposeful, polite, charismatic. leading a healthy lifestyle athlete.
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Kazan A. , 29 years old, Molodechno, BY | Higher education
looking for job in London, 378 km, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Sheffield…, full time
Work experience: 1 year, Design Engineer, ZAO Stroyproekt, Molo. Education : BNTU, Civil Engineer, Minsk 2012 – 2017 Vocational
looking for London, 378 km, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool, full time
No work experience. Education : Cadet Corps, Military, Sumy 2013 – 2017, Sociable, responsible, honest, sincere, I like to keep the workplace and home clean and tidy, I love sports, traveling, learning languages, always ready to work and always ready to help .
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Borisova E. , 37 years old, Yekaterinburg, RU | Vocational
looking for Manchester, 152 km, London, Liverpool, Southampton, Halifax…, any schedule
Experience: 3 years, Medical Assistant, Russian hospitals , Yekaterinburg. Education : Somk, Nursing , Yekaterinburg 2015 – 2018, I’m ready to start work anytime
Willing to relocate to any city
Would have to get a work visa.
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Alla V. , 44 years old, Crawley | Secondary education
looking for Doncaster, 142 km, any schedule
No work experience, Hard worker.
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April 17, 2019
Voskat V. , 26 years old, Bolton | Secondary vocational
144 km, part time
Work experience: 2.5 years, Teacher, Kindergarten, Smolensk. Education : Smolensk Pedagogical College, preschool education, Smolensk 2015 – 2019, I am looking for a job!
Kind, educated, cultured, hardworking. I’m waiting for suggestions.
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October 17, 2019
Smirnova V. , 28, Mexborough | Secondary education
144 km, full time
No work experience.
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January 19, 2020
Aliboyev S. , 21 years old, Tashkent, UZ | Vocational
looking for London, 378 km, Manchester, Glasgow, full time
No work experience. Education : Almazar Medical College, Pharmacy, Tashkent 2016 – 2019.
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Vadim V. , 44 years old, Minsk, BY | Higher education
looking for London, 378 km, Manchester, any schedule
Work experience: 18.5 years, Specialist, A, Minsk. Education : BNTU, Civil Engineer, Minsk 1998 – 2004, Looking for a job in real estate/construction, furniture production/woodworking industry.
-experience as a construction engineer
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-Experience as a construction fitter.
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June 18, 2020
Chelseu S. , 34 years old, Huddersfield | Secondary education
looking for Manchester, 152 km, willing to relocate, any schedule
Work experience: 3 years, Hadimen, Mjbuld, London.
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March 22, 2020
Kubakh O. , 47 years old, Moscow, RU | Higher education
looking for London, 378 km, Aberdeen, Southampton, Sheffield, Manchester…, any schedule
Work experience: 3.5 years, Executive director, TTS Ltd., Moscow. 4.5 years, Designer& Development Manager, BiletCity Ltd., Moscow. Education : Kazakh State Academy of Management, Economist, Almaty 1995 – 2000, I am an all-round, communicative and friendly person. My experience of work in the international multinational team can be very helpful in…
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February 12, 2020
Timashov A. , 36 years old, Minsk, BY | Secondary-special
looking for job in London, 378 km, Manchester, Melton Mowbray, any schedule
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February 7, 2020
Egiji A. , 30, Manchester | Higher education
152 km, full time
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looking for job in Liverpool, 177 km, London, Manchester, full time
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December 12, 2018
Khomutov V. , 26 years old, Orel, RU | Higher education
looking for London, 378 km, Liverpool, Manchester, full time
Work experience: 5 years, Service Engineer, Pedant, Eagle. 4 months, Development Manager, Landosite, Orel. 6 months, Sales Manager, Telecontact, Orel. Education : OSU im. I.S. Turgneva, Biotechnical systems and technologies, Orel 2013 – 2017, Workaholism, active life position, desire to develop.