Christina's Corner

Finally! I can't believe the day has arrived- I have my official child care license in my hand! It has been a LONG road to get here, but it was definitely well worth it. I began the process almost 1 year ago so I thought this day would never come!

There was so much work leading up to this day...loads of paperwork, background checks and TB clearances for five different individuals, home repairs, retaking a Health Certification class(that shouldn't have had to be done), buying supplies and toys, purchasing a mini van, not to mention installing a new bedroom window(to comply with pool regulations). For most future providers, the headache of it all would have been enough to stop the project altogether. Not me, though- I saw each challenge as a reason to continue, not give up. I've never seen myself as a quitter; never have, never will. So what how long it takes me to get there...at least I get there!

Several years ago I completed a marathon in Hawaii to raise money for the American Stroke Association. The course took me almost 9 hours to complete. Yes, 9 hours to walk 26.2 miles. Most people don't usually take that long, but I became discouraged at the halfway mark(that's a whole other story, ask me about it one day). I seriously considered giving up around mile 21 since I was mentally and physically exhausted. However, I continued on and around the 24th mile I spotted my trainers rallying for me on the side of the road. One of them joined me and gave me an awesome pep talk. My zeal was renewed and we jogged in the last mile together, straight to the finish line. I had not given up; I made it!

Now my daycare journey has begun. I'm looking forward to helping families who are in need of reliable, quality care for their children(I don't take sick days; once again-never have, never will!). My program is designed to allow children choices about their activities and provides opportunities for them to explore their environment. I enjoy watching them play and grow and consider it an honor if parents choose to leave their children with me.

So, if you or someone you know(in the Sacramento/Elk Grove CA area) is looking for a preschool program and daycare in a family home environment, please don't hesitate to look me up! Christina's Corner can be found here, here, here and oh, yeah here, too!

**Sorry for the shameless plugs, but if I don't do it, who will?!**

Just Getting Started

Finally, a thought has become my reality. I've officially decided to open up my own family daycare.....Christina's Corner. There's so much to do and plenty of time to do it! Since I'm a stay-at-home mom, I have the luxury of getting everything ready without the hassle of working outside the home at the same time. Don't get me wrong! I do work....just at home! I already own a home-based referral business. I truly enjoy helping other families create safer and healthier homes by means of a simple shopping decision. It has become my passion to live a healthy, chemical-free life.

However, I have another passion. Ever since I entered the daycare industry nearly 20 years ago, I quickly realized how much fun it is to be around children. They have so much energy that you have no choice but to keep up with them. They definitely keep you young!

Although I've always said I would never have a daycare in my own home(especially since I grew up with one), I've had to readjust my thinking. Opening my own center involves a lot of time, energy and money. I've got the time and energy covered, but I'm lacking just a bit in the revenue department. It's certainly not that a modest center couldn't be opened fairly easily; it's just that I have a vision of what I believe would be an ideal center. Now that requires some serious moola!

I want whatever I do to be done well and done right. There are no shortcuts with me. So my "vision" is going to be scaled back in order to get this whole thing started. If that means starting in my home, then so be it. And trust me...we're just getting started!