Hello there! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Miss Kaycee, and I spend more waking hours with children ages 4 and under than I do with adults. Do you feel me?
I started in 2011 working in a toddler room (one-year-olds) in a chain daycare, switched to a small Christian daycare in 2014 to be a lead teacher in their waddler room (one-year-olds as well... my philosophy on how we age littles would be a great topic for a different post!), moved to Omaha in 2017 where I spent five months in a large Christian daycare as a lead teacher for their 2-3 year-olds, and then discovered nannying. I work for two families who gather in one house every day, so I have twin four-year-olds, a three-year-old, and an infant. I've spent years developing compassion and a desire to support who are losing their minds just trying their best to raise little humans who aren't jerks and mostly just need a second to drink their coffee in quiet or sit in a bubble bath without any toys in it. Then I became a mom to an angel in 2018, which taught me even more about being a mom, albeit from a perspective I'd rather not have. That's right, Moms of Angels, I see you too, and you as well as your babies totally count here!
Through all of my experience, I have learned about a huge thing that childcare providers--teachers and moms alike--really need: community. We desperately need someone to bounce ideas off, offer us encouragement, both answer our questions and tell us we're doing a good job. I can make some killer lesson plans, but unless I find a way to low-key brag about it on a daily sheet, nobody knows. When I'm at my wit's end with a behavioral issue and I've tried everything I can possibly think of, sometimes I just need somebody outside of the situation to spot me some ideas. And over the years and after caring for literally hundreds of children, only one of them has ever told me "thank you" for changing his diapers. Way more than that have peed on me instead. It's just part of the job.
There is definitely a joy to loving on and teaching little ones, don't get me wrong. I love watching them grow, and there's nothing better than that moment when they finally "get it." I get so proud when they start saying/doing something that I can grin and tell their mom "Oh yeah, that was me!" (For example: no "shenanigans" at bedtime!) So when you pair the integral blessings of teaching and/or parenting with a community to support those harder spots... man, my heart almost bursts!
And that's what this brand new site is for: to offer you that support to help make life with your littles even sweeter. For starters, you can join our Facebook group here! Daycare providers, nannies, and moms are all there, asking questions and sharing daily life with each other. The group is typically most active at nap time!
Whether you're home with one or two or in a classroom of twenty, tell me about the kiddos you hang out with! Drop me a comment!
