While I’ve worn many hats over the years, one thing that has remained the same is my passion for early childhood education. I believe that parents and teachers have an amazing opportunity during the first years of a child’s life, and I am honored to help provide guidance, support, and engaging learning activities to help children build a strong foundation for their future.
In my time as an educator I’ve been a classroom teacher (K, 1st), a homeschool mom (K, 1st, 3rd), an in-home daycare provider, and an early childhood curriculum developer. For the past 10+ years I’ve also shared my activity inspiration with parents and educators around the world via this website.
Now that my own kids are teenagers I am deeply missing working with young children. The joy and natural curiosity they bring to each day is like nothing else.
Program Overview
Below is an overview of our weekday playschool program for children four and under.
If you are interested in any of our programs please complete the Interest Form at the end of this page.
Beginning January 2024 I’m excited to begin teaching young children again. This program will be offered in a dedicated space in my home in the Brookshire Heights neighborhood in Winter Park, FL.
It will operate in line with the Orange County Public Schools school year schedule with some optional summer camp or part-time options.
Early Learning Program
Current Hours: 6:45am-4:15pm Monday through Friday
Current Rate: 4-5 Days/Week $250
Program is limited to children under the age of 4. Full time enrollment only.
Overall program emphasis will be on developing early learning skills through play, sensory experiences, process art, reading, and outdoor activities.
Infant Program Features
- Daily Outdoor Play (weather permitting)
- Soothing, Age-Appropriate Environment
- Baby Massage & Baby Yoga
- Introduction of Baby Sign Language
- Introduction of Solid Foods and Self-Feeding Skills
- Regular Parent Updates on Skill Development
Toddler and Preschool Program Features
- Daily Outdoor Play (weather permitting)
- Self-Help Skill Development Activities
- Gross Motor Development Activities
- Beginning Academic Skills Development as per Age-Appropriate Milestones
- Early Learning Curriculum
- Regular Parent Updates on Skill Development and Learning Goals
Program Benefits
- Reliable experienced caregiver with nearly two decades of experience in early childhood education and a masters degree in early childhood education
- Daily activities, play equipment, and caregiver interactions all designed to focus on key milestones during this important developmental period
- No switching from room to room as facility numbers change throughout the day or as baby ages up
- Interaction with a limited number of children and caregivers keeps exposure to illness at a minimum while also provided opportunities for interaction with others
- Meals and Snacks Provided
- No Registration Fee
- No Supply Fee
- Follows School Year Calendar – no fee to hold a spot during the summer break, fall break, winter break, or spring break
Play Spaces
There are two dedicated rooms in my home that will be used exclusively for our program. However we will also use the kitchen and yard as additional play spaces.
Our first indoor play space is dedicated to open-ended, child-led play. This calming room will be the first stop in our day. Here students can choose from a variety of early childhood staples like blocks, trains, puzzles, books, a ball pit and more. This space will also be used for some of our movement and story time activities. Toys will rotate regularly to inspire new ways to play and learn.
Our second indoor play space will be dedicated to our center areas. This will include a dramatic play center, art station, and playschool center. The materials in this area will be rotated regularly based on our theme-based curriculum and child interests. Centers are a key component of early learning and will allow us to playfully teach a wide variety of skills in an age-appropriate way.
In the kitchen we’ll learn basic self-help skills like pouring, self-feeding, cleaning up our space and more. We’ll also experiment with baking and cooking simple foods, and of course we’ll eat meals together to learn basic table manners.
As the weather allows we’ll spend regular time outdoors exercising our gross motor muscles and getting fresh air. Our outdoor play space will be developing over the coming months, and we hope to include sensory experiences like a sandbox, mud kitchen, outdoor art opportunities, a kid-friendly garden as well as open space to run and play. Yes, your child will get messy, but the benefits are worth it!
Please note that this is a pet-friendly home as well. There are two dogs (a Goldendoodle and an Australian Labradoodle), one cat, and two guinea pigs in our family. While we may interact with them some during our days they will not be in the main play areas. The dogs also have their own separate space outside.
Sample Daily Schedule
Bottles, diaper changes and naps will be incorporated based on individual schedules and needs. As such our days will have a general rhythm but not always follow a set schedule to the minute.
Naptime Blocks are goal time periods. It is not expected that all children nap for the full time-frame. It is just the goal that children nap at some point during the time-frame to provide a balance between calm and active play for all children throughout the day.
Get on the interest list to learn more.
Click the green button below to complete the Google Form or email shaunna@fantasticfunandlearning.com to schedule an interview.
