Lizzie's House

About

At Lizzie's House we learn how to look after each other and ourselves; to be kind, caring and respectful; mindful and aware. We learn that we are AWESOME:)

Story

Hi, my name is Liz and I provide home childcare services in the Massey/Royal Heights area. I have been a Home Educarer on and off for 9 years and have been working with Jemma’s home based services for 2 years. I have a Level 3 certificate in ECE Teaching, and a degree in Zoology from my life before children :) My own children are 12 and 15.

Home based childcare is a warm and supportive place of learning for young pre-school children. Small group sizes (of up to 4 children), a familiar setting, and gentle routines and customs help children to extend themselves into social play with other children and gain confidence in their independence. I love how small group size enables me to tune into the experiences of each child in a deeply relational and holistic way. Caring for young children’s emotional development, as well as their physical and mental development, is something I believe in passionately and is the largest component of my teaching style.

The children in my care learn how to be responsible for themselves and also to be responsible in caring for their friends. I teach children how to resolve conflict, how to respect each other’s boundaries and how to stand up for themselves in a respectful way. The children learn to use manners, show kindness and caring, and to do for themselves what is within their ability. Within the security of my loving guidance, I actively teach them strategies to self-soothe and to assess their health and safety and that of their friends. The children are empowered.

Many young children develop social behaviors that don’t serve them well and parents don’t always know how to resolve ‘behavioral problems’. I love working with all children regardless of how they express themselves and find that my teaching style (based on patient, firm, and gentle guidance) and the techniques I have developed through many years of relating to preschool children, work well to settle all temperaments. I consider myself to be a student as well as a mentor within each relationship I have with each child. I remain mindful of all they may teach me about who they are and what they need, and I respond to them as much as they respond to me. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing children blossom within a loving and consistent framework of respecting each other and having fun. Helping them to know they are ok and that they can master the rules for polite conduct and care for themselves and their friends is the greatest pleasure in my work.

I run a program that aims to be adaptive to each child’s development and temperament, whilst providing a balance of routine and novelty. I vary it according to the children in my care and balance excursions within the community (Mainly Music, Library Story Time, Playgroups, Playcentre and special trips) with playdates (shared with other Educarers and their children) and time playing freely at Lizzie’s House. At home, we enjoy going for walks in the forest beside the Manetewhau estuary and we love to bake. I provide plenty of time for the children to play freely as they will and I spend this time carefully observing their interests, development, and learning which I then apply to programme planning. We have daily mat times for reading books, singing, and talking together and often explore topics of interest at this time.

I believe that parents should feel 100% comfortable leaving their children with any care provider. Parents are welcome to visit with me as many times as they like before deciding to entrust their child to my care. I communicate with parents online; sharing videos and photos, as well as printing stories and highlights for portfolios. I enjoy working closely with parents to care for their children and understand that parents and whanau are the most important people in children’s lives. During your initial visits, and continuing from day to day, I take care to listen for and tune into what your greatest desires are for your child and any concerns you have, as well. Our relationship is just as important to me as my relationship with your child. You are inviting me into your child’s circle of care and it is a privilege.