"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." ~ W.B. Yeats

About Hilary

     
Hilary's Home Daycare was established in  August of 2006.  I have five additional years of experience in the childcare field, prior to opening my own daycare and have also been a mom since 1999.  My wonderful husband, Jake and I have been married since 1998, and together we have four kids.  I am located in the Colton, South Dakota area. 
     I take pride in providing a home-like atmosphere in which children can feel safe, loved, and comfortable enough to learn   

and explore, and where we strive to love and care for each other as a family does.  I am a member of the FCCPSD (Family Child Care Professionals of South Dakota), am a state registered provider (meaning my facility is monitored and inspected by the state and I am held to certain standards for completion of  training hours, CPR certification, record keeping, general safety, etc.) and I also participate in in the CACFP, or Child and Adult Care Food Program*.  
      I currently plan my own preschool curriculum, making sure to incorporate a wide variety of learning areas, such as books/reading, science, large and fine motor activities, art,  pre-writing/writing, and sensory experiences.  We  

incorporate the basics, like letters, shapes, numbers, cutting skills, etc. into our everyday learning and I also focus on what I believe to be the most important "kindergarten readiness" skills: listening, sharing, creativity, problem solving, and cooperation.  And although I like to add more to our day than what we adults sometimes think of as "just playing," I also know that independent play has great value, as it is some of the best time to practice and develop these skills.  I believe that getting outside, breathing fresh air, and moving our bodies is a vital component in learning and growing.  We have a large fenced backyard play area so that we can go outside at least once each day, as long as weather permits.    
     Our daily schedule is flexible to the children's needs, but mostly looks like this:
        7:45 - 8:30        Breakfast time
        8:30 - 10:15      Preschool activities/circle time/games/crafts/infant naps
        10:15                 Independent play/lunch prep time
        11:00                 Lunch
        11:30                 Clean-up time
        12:00                 Nap prep/potty breaks/diaper changes
        12:15                 Story time 
        12:30 - 3:00      Nap/rest time   
        3:00                   Snack time
        3:45 - 5:15        Games/stories/free-play
        5:15 - 5:30        Clean up  
      Hours of operation are 7:00 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday.

Entry way

Outdoor "loose parts" shelf

Reading nook / Toy room

Fenced backyard

*"In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability."