Scherz Family Child Care

Provider Background

I was born and raised in Minnesota and graduated from Anoka High School in 1996. During High School I worked at a health club in their child care. I also taught aerobics to children every Saturday for nearly 2 years. My senior year of high school I worked as an after-school nanny to two little girls in my neighborhood; meeting their bus, making dinner, and helping with their homework until their parents arrived home from work. In 2004 I worked for People Incorporated in a group home for the deaf and mentally disabled. I was a caregiver for four special-needs individuals for 6 months, until the hours started to interfere with my full-time employment. I started babysitting when I was 11, and have always loved being around children. Now that I have a daughter of my own, I wanted to go further than being merely a babysitter. I decided that the perfect career for me is as a Licensed Child Care Provider.

My husband, Jay, and I married in September 2003. Jay is originally from St. Paul and currently works for Siemens Building Technologies in Roseville.

We have lived in Hastings since 2002. We have a beautiful daughter, Paige, who was born in September of 2005, and have another child on the way.

We enjoy quality time together as a family, watching movies, playing, and just enjoying watching Paige as she grows and learns new things. Every day is a miracle through the eyes of a child.

Provider Qualifications

I received my license from Dakota County in 2007 and have maintained training hours above and beyond the minimum standards set by the department of human services.

I am both CPR and first aid certified and maintain the certification on a regular basis. I routinely take training on SIDS and Shaken Baby Syndrome.

I am also a member of multiple resources for child care providers, like myself, who are interested in raising standards of child care through education, awareness and networking.

Philosophy

I enjoy experiencing the different developmental stages of each child I care for. Children are remarkable learners and teachers. Through observation of children we, as parents, can learn so much.

My philosophy is that children learn best through hands on experience. Children should be given every opportunity to try new things, with minimal help. Children learn through play. I use a wide variety of everyday tools to enhance their play environment, as well as providing more structured activities.

I enjoy teaching not only the primary skills – colors, numbers, letters, shapes, etc. but also safety and health awareness. I also encourage positive social behavior within the group and focus on teaching strong values. I really hope that each child learns how to be kind, generous, empathetic, self-confident, and becomes the best that he/she can be. I am continuously sharing the information and/or changes I see within each child with his/her parents.

I feel that when a child is in a family childcare home that the home should feel like an extension of their family. I strive to make each child feel at home and I do this by: