What to Expect

My Philosophies

  • My main focus is building a relationship with your child based on mutual respect. I communicate with them honestly and with developmentally-appropriate language. I empathize with them and validate their feelings. I connect and engage with them throughout the day, and celebrate their individuality.

  • The kids and I collaborate to set boundaries to keep everyone safe. I use positive reinforcement and natural consequences as my main forms of discipline. I also try to avoid any arbitrary rules and allow the kids to learn through their own experiences (as long as they aren’t at risk of serious injury).

  • I allow the children to develop naturally and follow their own interests. I encourage new skills by providing relevant activities and modeling new ways to play. We spend a lot of time outside exploring natural materials. The children are active participants in all of our daily tasks.

  • I’m here for you! Some families only need a few hours of trustworthy care every now and then. Others are looking for a long-term addition to their parenting team. I totally appreciate that every family has different needs, and those needs change. We can work together to determine how I can best support your family.

FAQs

What should I send with my child?

Please send your child with the following items:

  • Diapers

  • Diaper cream

  • Pacifiers

  • Back-up outfits

  • Bottles (you can prepare these, or send empty bottles along with formula and/or breastmilk)

  • Sleep necessities (sleep sack, comfort item, etc.)

  • Water bottle

  • Weather-appropriate attire (snow gear, swimsuits, rain gear, etc. - we spend a LOT of time outside!)

  • Meals / snacks

I am able to supply diapers, whole milk, lunch & snacks for an additional $5 per day. I provide appropriate sleep spaces for the children, and keep back-ups of all items to use as needed.

What do you feed the kids?

I offer the kids a variety of food groups throughout the day. Below are a few examples of foods that I may offer:

  • AM Snack: yogurt, fruit, cheese, toast, smoothies, eggs, pancakes

  • Lunch: soup, sandwiches, pasta w/ chicken or meatballs, vegetables, crackers, beans or chicken quesadillas

  • PM Snack: fruit leather, cheese, crackers, granola bars, raw veggies, veggie straws

We will occasionally have treats to celebrate special days (birthdays, last day of nanny care, holidays, etc.). I try to choose treats that are low-sugar, but sometimes we splurge. If you’d like me to limit sugar or other ingredients, please let me know!

What is your screen time policy?

I use screen time sparingly and intentionally. I will usually allow the kids over the age of 18 months to watch 15 - 30 mins of a low stimulation show before Quiet Time. Older kids that have dropped their afternoon nap will usually be allowed 60-90 minutes. If you’d like me to limit screen time further, please let me know! For information on the shows that we watch, check out my Screen Time highlight on Instagram!

What does a typical day look like?

Oh man, is there any such thing as a typical day with a group of young children? I try to provide as much structure to our days as possible, but we all learn to be adaptable to meet everyone’s needs. I’ll work with you individually to discuss a tentative daily schedule for your child!

Click here to see my saved list of favorite play places! Our favorite place to play is the Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library, where I serve as a volunteer. We also regularly meet for playdates with some of my friends who are nannies, teachers, and/or parents. It’s important to me that the kids gain confidence interacting with a wide variety of people in a wide variety of settings.

So … you’re a home daycare?

Not quite! I am not required to be licensed as a home daycare in the State of PA due to the limited number of children I care for. I care for a maximum of three children at a time, and although we use my house as our home base, we spend a LOT of time out in the community, especially in warmer months.

I’ve blended aspects of home daycares & nanny shares in order to best serve the children and families that I work for. I am flexible and am happy to talk to you more about how I can best support your family!

How do you communicate with families?

I use a shared Google Photos album to upload pictures of the kids throughout the day. I also use a shared Google Calendar to coordinate our schedules. We primarily communicate through text. Invoices are sent via Quickbooks.

What is your sick policy?

Sick policy: In the interest of everyone’s health & safety, children are not permitted to attend childcare if ANY of the following apply:

  • a confirmed or suspected case of any highly contagious illness (i.e. chicken pox, COVID-19, flu, pink eye, hand foot and mouth, etc.)

    • to return to childcare, children will need at least two negative rapid tests (when applicable) AND none of the symptoms below

  • a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher within the previous 24 hours (within 48 hours of vaccinations, if children exhibit no other symptoms, the fever threshold is raised to 102.1 degrees)

    • to return to childcare, children will need to maintain a temperature of under 100.4 degrees at least eight hours after the last dose of fever-reducing medications

  • two or more episodes of vomiting OR diarrhea within the previous 24 hours

  • Emergency Department visit or Hospital Admission within the previous 24 hours

  • unable to participate in normal childcare activities & routines due to fatigue or need for monitoring

  • requires more care than Jenni can provide without compromising the care of the other children

  • if your child has a rash, please communicate with Jenni ASAP to determine if they are able to attend childcare (send photos if possible)

    If I call to notify you that your child needs to be sent home, please make every effort to pick up your child within two hours. They will be excluded from childcare for a minimum of 24 hours, or until they no longer exhibit any of the above symptoms. Please give me at least two hours notice when you feel your child is well enough to return to childcare.

What happens if Jenni is sick?

I understand that reliability is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a childcare provider. I generally follow the same sick policy as the children, and I will always give you as much notice as possible regarding any symptoms I have so that you can make an informed choice on sending your child to care. If you choose to keep your child home, or if I am truly unable to work, I will give you as much notice as possible. You will not be billed if you do not receive childcare due to my illness (with the exception of Play School families, where sick time may be applied).