Daycare Provider Spotlight: Meet Angelica from Angelica’s Care
This month’s Daycare Provider Spotlight introduces Angelica from Angelica’s Care. Angelica has worked with children for nearly 20 years and brings a play-based, outdoor-focused program to her home daycare, built around community and getting outside as much as possible!
Angelica’s path into childcare started long before she opened her own program. After years working alongside ECEs in a licensed daycare setting, she decided to try things on her own terms, building a space where the kids lead the day and the outdoors plays a starring role.
In this Spotlight, Angelica shares what inspired her to open her own daycare, her favourite traditions, and what she loves most about being part of the Her Yes Club community.
1. What inspired you to open your home daycare, and how long have you been operating?
I have worked with children for nearly 20 years and after having my second child, I didn’t want to return to the workplace just to pay for childcare when I have the experience. I chose to try my hand at home childcare and have been operating since January 2023. This gave me the freedom to choose my hours, spend more time with my children and it was also a nice way to introduce more socialization for my children.
2. What does a typical day inside your daycare look like?
We spend a lot of time outdoors and within the community! As long as the weather isn’t too bad, we leave at 8:30am to walk my children to school and then we are out and about until lunch time! This is a play-based program and I follow the children’s interests and let them lead us. We often spend time at the library, local parks, the fair-grounds and have even scheduled trips to the local fire station and Jungle Cat World. We return for lunch and quiet/nap time. When naps are over, we have afternoon snack and are back outside to pick my children up from school.
3. How would you describe your childcare philosophy?
It’s always been very important for me to establish a sense of belonging and create a comfortable and safe atmosphere where the children feel like they belong and are free to be themselves. I create collages for each child and proudly display them at eye level so the children can see their loved ones and know this is their space too. I have watched children seek out their collages when they are feeling sad, looking for a familiar face but also sharing their photos with friends, excitedly showing off their family and pets!
4. What’s your favourite part about working with children?
I absolutely love watching their milestones! I have worked with children ranging from infancy to 13 years of age and am still amazed with their accomplishments and think it’s such a joy to watch and a privilege to be a part of their lives.
5. What’s one activity the kids always get excited about?
It varies between groups of children, some preferring outdoor activities but my current group seems to really enjoy painting and ask almost daily if we can paint together.
6. What song or book do you share that is always a huge hit?
That’s a hard one to answer! We listen to music all of the time and read quite a bit. My own children really like classic rock and we definitely play “We will rock you” but also a lot of Disney playlists. We read so many books and are at the library at least twice a week; I think one of our most popular books has been any of the ‘Little Blue Truck’ series, however, I have a variety of books about how we are all different and to celebrate our differences.
7. What’s one thing you wish more people understood about home childcare programs?
We are not a childcare center. I have met my fair share of families in need of care and are quick to agree to home care policies when in reality their needs would be better met in a center. If my children are ill, have an appointment or a school event, I need to close; it’s not to create an inconvenience for families, it’s simply part of running homecare.
8. What’s your favourite memory from your home daycare so far?
I had a group of three-year-olds and they put on a performance of ‘We Will Rock You’ but they always called it, ‘Stomp, Stomp, Clap’. Cuteness overload!
9. What’s one skill you hope every child leaves your care with?
I hope that when a child leaves my care that they are confident in themselves; both in capabilities but also knowing they can do anything they set their minds on!
10. What’s one daycare item you could not live without?
It probably sounds funny but I love our bibs. They are the silicone ones with a nice, big scoop bottom to catch pretty much any mess! I only bought them after my second born and wished I had them with my first. Bibs and smocks have been a huge help with our meals and any messy play (painting, play dough, kinetic sand, etc.) Of course, I couldn’t operate without our wagon either especially with how much we are outdoors.
11. What’s one tradition or ritual your daycare has that families love?
My very favourite day to celebrate with the daycare is International Mud Day! Naturally, we play in a lot of mud on any given day but on Mud Day I go all out, setting up extra stations/ crafts/activities and we invite other local daycares as well as our neighbors to join in the fun. I have even had a couple of the parents stick around to participate too and everyone really seems to love it!
12. What do you enjoy most about the Her Yes Club app and community, and why?
I really enjoy being a part of a childcare community again. There were aspects of working within a large organization that led me to pursue my own home care but there were so many good things too that I have been missing and have now found within Her Yes Club. I think it’s amazing being able to connect with so many other home care operators and look forward to the Sunday Newsletters. I also really appreciate the opportunities shared for further professional development.
Here’s a peek of a cozy corner inside Angelica’s daycare! Angelica is just one of the many talented, passionate providers who are part of the Her Yes Club community, and we are so grateful she took the time to share her story with us!
If you’re a parent in the Orono area searching for care, Angelica currently has full-time availability at the time this post is published! You can connect with her directly through the Her Yes Club app to ask about openings and find out if her daycare is the right fit for your family!
Are you a parent searching for care that feels this thoughtful? Her Yes Club connects families with trusted, independent home daycare providers across Canada. Download the app on the App Store or Google Play to start your search.
Are you a home daycare provider who would love to be featured in an upcoming spotlight? We would love to hear from you at hello@heryesclub.ca.
