My name is Jennifer Miller and I own/direct “A Step Ahead”.   I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and am certified to teach in Pennsylvania.   I also have an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education.  I have over 17 years experience teaching children from infants through school age as well as 5 years as a daycare center director.

A Step Ahead opened in September 2002.  I am licensed from the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) in Pennsylvania.    I have a Star Two rating from the Keystone Stars program.  Keystone Stars is a quality improvement program where the provider must meet requirements or standards that are higher than the licensing regulations for DPW.   My goals as a family childcare provider are:

 

·        To provide a caring, loving, nurturing learning environment.

·        To provide opportunities for being with other children in a setting conducive to the development of social relationships.

·        To provide appropriate learning experiences that contribute to the developmental needs of the children.

·        To provide opportunities for meaningful play based on children’s individual needs, interests, and abilities, and that build important foundations for future reading skills and other academic pursuits.   

·        To provide healthy meals & snacks as regulated through the Child & Adult Care Food Program (breakfast, lunch & snacks).

 

My husband & I have three children.   Your child will be treated as a member of our own family.  All children are taught to treat others as they would like to be treated.  Our door is always open to you, the parent, and please feel free to come to me with comments and/or suggestions.  I am here for you and your children. 

I have a certificate from the PA State Board of Private Academic School in Nursery / Kindergarten and a diploma in Family Child Care from Northampton Community College.   I am certified in First Aid / CPR.  As well as continuing to update my training as a day care provider yearly, I also must continue my training as a certified teacher.  I am a member of NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), NAFCC (National Assoc. for Family Child Care) and PHCCPA (Pennsylvania Home-based Child Care Providers Assoc.).   

I am currently pursuing my Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education with a second PA Teaching certificate.

I am an Early Childhood Educator, committed to providing nurturing care and creating a stimulating environment in which your child will be "Learning and Growing With Leaps And Bounds."  I look forward to meeting you and your family.  I hope that our relationship will be a long and beneficial one for both of us.  I love what I do, and am so happy to be able to welcome you and your child into our family.