Home Tour – Environment as a Third Teacher is a presentation that explores the different setups a family-friendly child care home can have. The Resource & Referral team at Child Development Resources, recently hosted a gathering for new and continuing family child care home providers. Participants discovered how providers can create a safe, loving, and stimulating environment where children can learn, grow and thrive.
The presentation reimagined the experience through curated video and photo tours of real child care homes. This virtual approach allowed participants to explore various learning environments ranging from cozy, play-based and structured setups, to classroom-like spaces.
“We work with people that are in the process of getting their (child care) license, and some that already have their license, but they still like to get new ideas,” said Danielle Sevic, Resource and Referral Specialist at Child Development Resources. “We’re open to anybody in Ventura County that wants to open a family child care business,” said Sevic. “We start building the relationship with them and we encourage them to come to our workshops so they can learn from other providers and feel supported,” she added.
Preparing for the business of Child Care
Those interested in becoming child care providers have plenty of questions to ask about the process of establishing their business. Working closely with them allows the staff at Child Development Resources to guide them every step of the way.
This workshop, like all the others, are open for every level of child care providers, from the seasoned to the incoming freshman. For Jorge and Janeth Gaeta, newcomers to the provider scene, starting a child care business from their home is something they had been thinking about for nearly a year, and participating in this program has taught them plenty of helpful lessons.
“So, my wife and I were thinking about starting something more fulfilling for both of us,” said Jorge Gaeta. “And I know she’s really good with children, and I thought it would be the perfect fit for us,” he said. “We’ve learned a lot of different things about the programs we can incorporate for the children. All the safety precautions we need to take, the way we can decorate the house…it’s a lot to take in but it’s a lot of good information we’re getting here,” he said.
For Janeth, she knows starting a business will be challenging, but she’s ready to get it going. “I’m very excited, very happy about it, a little nervous, but I’m looking forward to it, for sure,” she said.
The new virtual format reached more providers than traditional in-person visits and received overwhelmingly positive feedback. A big thanks to the participating providers who generously made their home spaces available for the Resource & Referral team to capture it on camera for others to interact and learn from at these virtual presentations. The project is part of the Child Care Initiative Project (CCIP) and funded by the California Department of Social Services.
Resource & Referral Unit Contact Information
For more information about starting a child care business at home, please call (805) 485-7878 x1512 or email rrunit@cdrv.onmicrosoft.com
To listen to the audio version of this story, including interviews with staff and providers, click below or on any of the images.
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