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BEARS BIO

Annabel, a self-described “baby freak,” has been drawn to small children since she was a small child herself. She took a babysitting course at University Hospital when she was 10 and has been an avid babysitter/nanny/daycare provider ever since, developing close relationships with several families throughout grade school, college, and beyond. Annabel has been a family daycare provider since August, 2005. When she's not juggling Mama Bear duties, Annabel loves to spend time outdoors, play her violin, do schoolwork and write.

Annabel has two sons, Jonas and Escher (4 and 1, respectively). While she has a non-alarmist, go-with-the flow approach to child care and parenting, she's an enthusiastic pupil of child-development and parenting literature and experts, (other mothers!) and has an individual approach to each child and his/her age, temperament, skills and challenges.

Jonas, a self-described "Superman" loves his extended daycare family and hates weekends when he has only grownups around to entertain him. Jonas attends the Jowonio school 5-days a week during the school year. His favorite food is chicken nuggets with ketchup, and his favorite kind of sharing is when others share with him. Jonas is everyone's favorite helper and never lets an emotion go under-expressed...

Escher, a self-described "ahbabababawabawaba" thinks everything is great all the time. He's a boob man, and enjoys long walks and candle-lit dinners, especially when he can distract Mama from her food until it is cold.

OPENINGS

I am currently accepting applications to fill:

• 2-3 after school OR part-time (afternoon) openings, ages 1-12.
• 3-4 summer full-time/part-time summer openings, May 3-August 28. (Note: May 18-June 26 I will be taking a class, which will make me unavailable M-Th 11:30-2:30)
  

*** Open for the week of May 3 for on-the-fly care while Ed Smith is closed for swine flu.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Generally, Monday through Friday
1:30 - 5:00 pm with some evening availability.

Available full-time over the summer.

**I am flexible with these times under the right circumstances, so don't be afraid to ask...

INSIDE

OUR HOME

I own a 2-family home on Syracuse's near east side. I live & run my daycare from the lower apartment.

The upstairs is rented to a non-smoking local artist, his girlfriend and her 7-year-old son, two indoor cats, and a dog (a 100% kid-friendly black lab/mutt who is never allowed to poop in the yard, and is always leashed and accompanied by a human when she comes out for walks).

My apartment is a spacious, smoke-free, pet-free, child-oriented 3 bedrooms, with hard-wood floors and multiple play areas. See the floor plan at left for more details.

Outdoor play is very important to me. While my yard is on the small side, I've worked hard to transform it into a fun, safe place for children to play, and am constantly making improvements. The back yard is fenced on all three sides. Half is grass, with a play house, sand & water table, and child-size picnic table. The other half is tarmac, with a dozen or so bikes, toy cars, ride-ons, scooters, and other outdoor toys.

I also utilize local playgrounds on a regular basis, particularly Barry and Thornden Parks, to feed the children's need for climbing. In the winter months we frequent Shoppingtown Mall's new "soft play area" and other indoor spaces to help relieve cabin fever.

I also have a large front porch with a gate to block the stairs, making for a favorite play area; the kids can play and get some fresh air while remaining relatively protected from the elements.

I am located 5 minutes from:

• Syracuse University
• LeMoyne College
• Downtown
• Interstates 81 (Harrison/Adams exit) and 690 (Teall exit)
• Crouse and University Hospitals
• East side schools such as Ed Smith, HW Smith, Levy, Solace, Jowonio, and Bernice Wright
  
  

DAILY ACTIVITIES

I run my program more like a family than a daycare. When your child joins my program, they're joining my family! Life here is relaxed and spontaneous. My philosophy centers around the belief that kids have enough going on in their lives, with school and extracurricular activities, and that they need time to relax and play.

My focus is not on super structured school-type activities, it's on relationships and fun. We utilize local resources (Petit Branch Library, Thornden and Barry Parks, Levy Playground, etc.) and events for fun-- for example, we've been taking lots of walks down to the big construction site on Waverly and Comstock; the kids even got to meet a friend of mine who drives a cement truck and watch him do a pour on-site!

I use everyday activities (baking, playing cars, buying stamps) to help children discover and learn about themselves and the world around them, and build safe, loving relationships with others.

I'm very open to parents' suggestions and encourage you to voice your requests or concerns anytime you want to. If I can find a way to accommodate you, I will! I'm glad to provide homework help (and even help your child practice his/her musical instrument-- I'm a frustrated violin teacher!)

MEALS

I used to have 1 paragraph on meals, then 3, then 9! And I have tried all sorts of practices and policies regarding food. Now, I keep it simple and ask parents to pack lunch/snack for kids. I'm certainly not opposed to feeding them, but have discovered that food is the area parents (and kids) have the most issues about at daycare, and it works out better for everyone if you just send food.

I will offer special snacks or treats every once in a while, for those who are interested (for example, on Fridays we usually order pizza for lunch).

DISCIPLINE

Discipline according to Webster’s: Systematic and rigorous training of the mental, moral, and physical powers by instruction and exercise…

My approach to discipline is not to command obedience. Children are extremely sensitive and malleable little people. They’re naturally eager to learn how to behave and become “big.”

INFANTS
Build trust and love (this goes for all age groups.) I do not believe infants can be naughty.

TODDLERS
Set a good example; show confidence in them; nip undesirable behavior in the bud by redirecting them to the correct behavior; consistency; keep explanations short and simple; give specific direction and opportunities to make their own choices (i.e. “Nathan, we don’t hit people. Hannah is using the wagon. [Walk Nathan away from Hannah and point to some other toys.] You can play with this ball, or the bike.” as opposed to “No, Nathan. Be nice to Hannah.”); encouraging good behavior; get down to their eye level and make eye contact; use tone (a low, serious voice) and facial expressions (a stern look); acknowledge their feelings (“Yes Nathan, you’re angry that you can’t play with the wagon right now.”); as a last resort, if the child becomes completely unmanageable, the child will be given a time out for as many minutes as they are years old, preceded and followed by a clear explanation of why this punishment was given. Any alarming behavior will be discussed with the parents when the child is not around.

PRESCHOOLERS
All of the above with more emphasis on talking the problem out and explaining the ‘why,’ including helping them form a vocabulary to express their own feelings and boundaries; give them the opportunity to use their problem-solving skills before interfering.

SCHOOL AGE
All of the above, but modify the language to their level. I feel it’s important for them to know that I know they’re big kids while still maintaining that I’m the adult.

POLICIES

PICKING UP AND DROPPING OFF

• Parents may authorize other adults to collect the child by providing some basic information.

MEALS

CLOTHING

• Your child will spend time outdoors most days, barring severe weather. Please provide proper clothing and outerwear (raincoats, boots, snow pants, etc.)
• I am not responsible for lost or damaged clothing.

TOYS

• Kids are welcome to bring toys, games or books from home, provide they are willing to share these belongings freely with the other children, just like the other toys that are here.
• Children will not be forced to share bears, blankies, binkies, or other comfort objects.
• I am not responsible for lost or damaged items.

PARENTS MUST PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING

• Diapers and wipes
• Car seat (if we don't have enough. Usually we do.)
• Complete change of seasonably appropriate clothes
• Infant formula or breast milk. Rest assured we will do everything we can to support your efforts to continue breastfeeding.

ILLNESS

• If you are home sick, or if you take the day off from work for any other reason, you may still bring your child to care provided you notify us of your whereabouts and are reachable by telephone.
• I care for mildly ill children. Please fill me in if your child is exhibiting any symptoms of illness.
• Children may not attend daycare if they have any of the following conditions:
  * fever of 100° or above
  * vomiting/diarrhea
  * open skin lesions (not including diaper rash)
  * contagious diseases
  * any condition rendering the child too uncomfortable to be in daycare
  * difficulty breathing
  * any other unusual sign or symptom of illness
• If I (or either of my boys) exhibit any of the above symptoms, parents will be notified. If we are ill to the extent that we're unable to provide proper care for your child, we will close.

FYI

• I am mandated by law to report any suspected abuse or maltreatment of children.
• I cannot release a child to anyone I suspect may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  

CONTRACT

This will give you an idea of my expectations from a financial perspective. (Call me for rates: 491-4038)

Because every family is different, I am willing to work with you to come up with an agreement that works for you and meets my business needs.

PAYMENT

• I accept cash and personal checks made out to Annabel Hine.
• I will provide a receipt at the end of the year, or any other time, if you request it.
• If a check is returned I will notify you and ask for payment in cash. After the second returned check I will accept only cash.
• You are responsible for any fees my bank charges for returned checks.
• If you're full-time/regular part-time, payment is due at the beginning of each week (Monday, for the week that begins that day.)
• If you're irregular part-time/by-appointment, payment is due at the end of each day.

LATE PICK-UP

• I charge $1 for every minute after 5:05 you are late picking up your child. This policy may sound harsh; I set it up this way not to get rich, but to keep parents from being late. I count on being finished with the daycare at 5:00 sharp. You are welcome to authorize as many people to pick up your child as you would like in order to keep you from having to pay late charges.

VACATION AND SICK DAYS

Full-time and regular part-time families (this may seem confusing upon first read-through. In general, you pay for childcare whether or not your child is here):

• Each calendar year, your family may take up to 10 days vacation at 1/2 the weekly fee. A 2-week written notice is required. If less than 2 weeks notice is given, the full fee will be charged.
• I take 10 days paid vacation every calendar year; we will give you at least 2 weeks notice.
• If your child is unable to come to daycare, either because he's ill, or because I'm closed due to illness, you still have to pay for daycare.
• Please see my policies for a more detailed explaination of when we will close due to illness, and when your child is too sick to come to daycare.

By appointment and irregular part-time families:

• You do not have to pay for vacations, holidays or our sick days.
• If you cancel due to your child's illness, or if we have to send your child home early due to illness, you still have to pay for daycare.
• If you cancel due to any other reason, you do not have to pay for daycare provided you give us 48 hours notice. If you do not give such notice, you still have to pay for the day(s) missed.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

• We take the following national holidays off with pay: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday,) Christmas Eve and Day, New Year’s Eve and Day.
• If July 4, or any of the Christmas/New-Year’s holidays fall on a weekend, we will take Friday or Monday off instead.
• If I don't have other plans, holiday care may be available at a special rate.

*** Ask us about special New Year’s Eve overnight care!***

TERMINATION OF CARE

• In the event I'm no longer able to care for your child, I will give you as much notice as possible. I reserve the right to terminate care without notice.
• If you decide to stop bringing your child to my home for daycare, I require a 2-week written notice, although more notice will be appreciated. Payment for this 2-week period is mandatory whether or not the child is brought to daycare.

LEGAL FEES

• If it becomes necessary for me to resort to legal action to collect any outstanding fees, the parent(s) will be responsible for legal fees and any other related debts incurred (i.e. missed days of work for court dates, etc.)

CHANGE OF RATES

• I reserve the right to change my rates at any time. I will give you two weeks written notice of such a change, at which time a new payment agreement will be signed.