Scroll down for information about me and my daycare, rules and regulations, the facility, and my philosophies on learning and discipline.
Hi, I’m Tricia Nellen! Thank you for your interest in my daycare. I have been in the child care field since 1994, working in 3 local childcare centers, working as a professional nanny for 5 years, and then starting Tricia’s Harmony House in 2011. I have always had a strong passion for children and truly love spending my days with them and watching them grow. In my spare time I enjoy camping, traveling, shopping, an avid spectator of sports and spending time with my family and friends. I am accredited through the City of Madison and Satellite Family Child Care System.
When your child spends their day at Tricia’s Harmony House, they’re also joined by my two small dogs, Star and Emmitt. Both dogs are extremely used to and love children of all ages and temperaments and are up to date on shots.
Occasionally, I enroll the help of an assistant, Michelle, who is experienced, fully certified, background-checked, and introduced to parents before working with their children for the first time.
Rules and Regulations
At Tricia’s Harmony House Childcare, I will provide quality care for ages 6 weeks through 6 years old or the end of their kindergarten year. My licensing hours are 6:30am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday. My center will follow the licensing ratios and will not exceed 8 children at any time.
My center has an open door policy and parents are welcome at any time to visit during business hours unless parental access is prohibited or restricted by a court order. If so, I will need a copy of court order.
I will never refuse to enroll a child based on race, color, sex, national origin, creed, ability, or ancestry.
The Childcare Facility Environment
My childcare facility is based in my home in Monona, Wisconsin (my personal living area is in the basement, and daycare space is on the first floor). In addition to the indoor space, which includes kitchen, dining, living, bath, and two activity rooms, we also utilize the large backyard that is filled with a variety of materials, such as play house, sand box, picnic table, wooden play structures, and much more. My indoor facility is cleaned fully each evening, and tidied throughout the day. The outdoor space is tidied daily, and I pick up after my dogs immediately.
Philosophies
Learning: The children in my care will be provided with a variety of activities and developmentally appropriate learning experiences. My program offers a safe nurturing environment where children have the opportunities for exploring, experimenting and questioning through hands-on activities. Play is a major component in my program. I believe in helping children’s development emotionally, cognitively, physically and socially in accordance with his/her own needs and learning styles.
Discipline: I strongly believe that discipline takes the form of teaching, and that is how we practice discipline here. I never try to shame a child. I am always present in the children’s activities, and am available to intervene quickly when safety is an issue. In general, when a child requires discipline, that takes the form of redirection, discussion, and making amends.
For example, if a child breaks a Lego tower another child built, the first child is removed from the situation, where he/she can calm down, we can talk about what happened, the emotions he/she and the other child is feeling, and then that child is asked to help their friend by apologizing, gently touching, or rebuilding with the other child. Through this approach, children learn self-awareness, naming emotions, communication, empathy, and self-confidence.
Tricia's Harmony House 