***PHILOSOPY***

SONSHINE FAMILY CHILD CARE

“Special Care for Special Kids”

SonShine Family Child Care's (SFCC) philosophy is to provide a loving, snuggling, nurturing, developmentally appropriate environment. SFCC would like to support the educational and emotional development of the families and children. SFCC provides an atmosphere of unity with common goals in honesty, teamwork, stability, and respect. SFCC will provide a home environment that is welcoming, safe, clean, loving, and nurturing. SFCC will support the families and their individual beliefs and culture. SFCC hopes to achieve all this through good communication and partnership between the families and SFCC. Our goal of this partnership is to support the wellbeing, healthy development, and learning style of the child.

There are many definitions of family. The definition that best fits family is the one that states, family is a “group of related things.” Not that we are “things” but that family consists of a group of related people. I am not family, but as a childcare provider, I am an important part of the child’s life. The environment may change, people may come and go, but for now, I am part of the family. 

The family unit is not just one group; it takes a community to raise a child. In families, you have the parents, relatives, lineage, customs, and culture of the family. Then add the childcare providers, teachers, and society itself. We all have some influence on the family, one way, or another.

As providers, we need to be open-minded. SFCC should not put our “Family Values” on the families we take into our homes. SFCC needs to be sensitive to all the different family cultures, customs, beliefs, and values. SFCC ought to be respectful, responsive, and reciprocate back to each of their specific needs to the best of our abilities. 

As providers, we need to develop a family or community environment within the daycare so the families feel welcome and know they are valued. The key to building a partnership is the foundation. SFCC needs to get to know the families, recognize the differences, and make the most of our daily contact to learn about each family every day.  A welcoming environment will build trust through reaching out to all family members.

As providers, we must collaborate with families for the benefit of the children. SFCC offers programs, conducts conferences, and set goals that we achieve together. We can work together recognizing the challenges and deal with misunderstandings. SFCC should discuss the differences and situations with the families supporting their individual beliefs and ideals. SFCC wants to be positive and respectful so the children feel safe and secure. SFCC will develop a working partnership to support the child’s healthy development and learning style. We are family; we are a community.