ABOUT US
Our Story
Damaris: Owner
I created First Steps Home Childcare over 15 years ago from my love of children and my interest in their development. My desire to ensure that all children were loved in a safe and nurturing home environment became the catalyst for me to open a daycare to service the needs of working parents in the Chicago area. I wanted parents to feel secure knowing that their child was well cared for while they returned to work and help their children establish good behavioral habits early on in their lives.
Here at First Steps Home Childcare, we not only foster a loving atmosphere, but we actively engage with your child to help them progress through the stages of growth and development as outlined by the American Pediatrics Association.
I have participated in the childcare industry since I was a teenager – helping my aunt care for children in her own daycare – where I watched after both infants and toddlers on a full-time basis. Having my family be in the industry for over 50 years, has afforded me hours of experience in daycare set-up, nanny/babysitter training as well as sleep training and behavioral modification.
I am finishing up Early Ed teaching degree at Northeastern Illinois and am a graduate of Harrington College and have more than 100 hours of continuing education in Child Development and Early Childhood Education. I also completed a Fellowship in Child Development in Paris, France.
About first steps home childcare
The goal of First Steps Home Childcare is to provide a safe and nurturing environment that allows young children to develop physically, social/emotionally, and cognitively. Our program recognizes the importance of building a strong parent and teacher partnership. As a team, we play a role to model positive behavior as we guide the children to grow and to develop in a comfortable environment. We work hard to hire teachers that are passionate, educated, and creative. First Steps Home Childcare teachers work hard to create lesson plans that implement age-appropriate milestones along with a spice of an exciting themes to catch the children’s attention. Children are meant to play, and it is the adult’s job to make learning fun.
We encourage parents to be involved with their child’s learning by reading the weekly newsletters and exploring the beautiful displays of the children’s work that the teachers showcase. First Steps Home Childcare wants the school to be a comfortable learning environment not only for the child but for parents too. Parents, we are here to be your resource when you have a question about your child’s development, or if you just need a pair of listening ears. Raising a child isn’t easy, and the First Steps Home Childcare teaching staff and families are your support team. First Steps Home Childcare welcomes students of any race, religion, and nationality.
