We create a space where children grow, learn at their own pace. Learn More
About Olalla Bay Family Child Care
We create a space where children grow, learn at their own pace, and follow their interests with joy and wonder. We believe parents, teachers, and children all play vital roles in nurturing a lifelong love of learning.

Our Settings
Founded with a love for Nature and a passion for early childhood development, our home provides a tranquil, nature-rich environment that inspires creativity and fosers a lifelong love for learning.

Our Philosophy
We believe that children learn best when they are engaged, haopy, and connected to the world around them. Our setting in the heart of Olalla's natural landscape allows us to offer a unique learning experience where children are encouraged to explore their surroundings, learn through play, and build meaningful relationships.

Our Approach
At Olalla Bay Family Child Care, we offer a play-based curriculum designed to foster children's growth at their own pace and in ways that build confidence as learners. Our program emphasizes helping children discover their sense of self, explore the world around them, and develop a positive, capable self-image as they learn.
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Our curriculum is inspired by the educational philosophies of Maria Montessori and Rudolf Steiner (Waldorf). We integrate their ideas into our daily activities, with a strong focus on nature, life skills, and creativity. We also incorporate elements from the Creative Curriculum for Family Childcare, and programs like Second Step (a violence prevention program taught in local schools), Healthy Beginnings, Kindermusik, Zoophonics, and the Raising a Reader Program, which provides a rotating selection of books for children to take home each week.
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Children engage daily in a range of developmentally appropriate activities across multiple learning areas, including:
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Language
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Math
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Science
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Dramatic Play
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Art
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Music
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Blocks & Construction
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Guided Movement
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Outdoor Play and Exploration
We believe in nurturing children's natural curiosity and creativity, allowing them to explore both indoors and outdoors through hands-on experiences that stimulate learning and growth.
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All meals and snacks are made from wholesome, natural ingredients, with organic options whenever possible, and are served family-style to encourage social interaction and independence.
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Our approach combines a deep respect for each child's unique path of development with a commitment to a nurturing and stimulating environment that encourages exploration, discovery, and a lifelong love of learning.

Our Team
At Olalla Bay Family Child Care, our team is dedicated to providing a nurturing, high-quality environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive.
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Carol is our primary caregiver, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in early childhood education. She holds an A.S. degree in Human Development and Social Sciences from Shasta College, a B.S. in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College, and a Master's degree in Education with an emphasis in early learning from Liberty University.
Additionally, Carol has completed 15 units of postgraduate studies in Educational Leadership. Her commitment to continuous learning is evident in the hundreds of hours she has invested in ongoing education and training in child behavior, development, business practices, health and safety, nutrition, and early childhood curriculum.
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With a current Child Development Site Director's Permit from the State of California, Carol has extensive experience in both center-based and family childcare settings. She is dedicated to providing high-quality care and education for every child and has actively contributed to community efforts such as the Local Childcare Planning Council and the Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS).
Carol is also an adjunct instructor in the Early Childhood Education department at Shasta College in Redding, CA, where she teaches online courses to future educators.
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John, Carol’s husband, is a recently retired critical care nurse with 35 years of experience. He frequently assists at the childcare center, ensuring that the learning environment remains clean, safe, and engaging for the children. When not helping with the children, John dedicates his time to building, maintaining, and repairing the facilities, contributing to a dynamic and secure space for exploration and growth.
Together, Carol and John bring a unique blend of expertise, dedication, and passion to Olalla Bay Family Child Care, creating a warm and supportive environment where every child feels valued and encouraged.