Hi and welcome!
My name is Elaine Mancini~ Lanie to all the families and children who come to my program.
I am located in Bellingham MA, off of Rte 126/South Main, near the Lil General Store.
I have been working with young children for over 24 years. In the summer of 2006, I opened the doors of my home to start my own family child care program.
I have an Associate's Degree in Child Studies from Wheelock College, and am licensed through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) to care for up to 6 children plus 2 school-agers in my home. We have a young cat named Kitty.
I believe that children learn through play and hands-on activities. Children need time to develop their skills and I offer this time in a relaxed, inviting, enriched environment. The entire main floor of my home is used for your child ~ I do not relegate them to a basement.
Tuition includes high quality care, nutritious meals and snacks*, and all materials. I am trained in CPR
and First Aid *Parents of infants provide formula and pureed foods. My tuition rates, hours and contact information can be found in the sidebar to the left.
Photos are taken nearly every day and I have a page set up for parents to
view them, currently we are using a private Facebook page. I have also used a blog page like this.
My basic philosophy is to be casual and calm- childhood is supposed to be fun! I don't believe in stressing out the children- or their parents!
I am interested in many early childhood philosophies and here they are along with why:
Montessori: I love Maria Montessori for her wonderful observations of what children need and what they enjoy doing. From this philosophy springs the understanding that children should be allowed opportunities to learn and grow, to develop their self-help skills, to be given blocks of uninterrupted time to become immersed in what they are doing.
That children are willing and able to behave well, they wish to please adults. They want to learn and are capable of doing a great deal for themselves.
She designed self-correcting materials which allow children to learn from their error. Mistakes are ok, even expected- it is how we learn, through trial and error.
Many people do not realize that Maria Montessori introduced the idea of interacting with infants- in her day babies were left alone in their cribs. She also introduced the idea of child sized furniture; if you look at any Early Childhood Education catalog you will see most of her ideas- but sadly she gets no credit.
Finally, I love that she started out in a multi-age program very similar to today's home childcare!
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| Using the eggbeater to make scrambled eggs |
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| A self-correcting Montessori material- The Knobbed Cylinders |
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| Doing the work they see adults do- raking |
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| The Knobless Cylinders. The mats define their area of work/play. |
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| Care of the Environment- watering the plants |
From Waldorf, I've learned the rhythm of the day, children thrive on routine and knowing what to expect next. The value of imaginary play and simple activities such as baking and gardening, all set in a beautiful environment such as these playstands. How a simple square of silk can become almost anything in the imagination of a child.
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| Our housekeeping area in the Waldorf Playstands |
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| A firefighter uses a playsilk as a face mask |
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| Pirate friends |
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| Puppets- language, imagination, and re-telling stories |
From Reggio Emilia, again a beautiful and organized environment and immersion in activities. My light table sets off the beautiful colors of items placed on it, and makes them look like stained glass. Photo documentation is also a big part of the Reggio approach, and I take a lot of photos throughout our day.
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| A design of magna-tiles on the light table- made by the children! |
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| Magna-tiles at the light table |
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| A design from river rocks |
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| We love to paint |
These three philosophies focus on respect of the child, nature in the lives of children, and children as developing human beings with great potential and individual worth. I find that their ideas overlap, mesh and compliment one another.
And, of course, my program is play-based, kid-based and fun! I observe the children and see
what they are doing, what they like and are interested in, where they are developmentally and I expand on that.
I focus on
self-help skills and language development, both of which build your
child's self esteem. If you can do things for yourself, you feel good!
You are capable and competent- you can do it!
If you can communicate
with others and be understood- you feel good! You can make friends and
have your needs met, you can express yourself!
I am a facilitator and
a guide, navigating your child through social skills, providing
opportunities for fine and gross motor play (small and large muscles),
and cognitive experiences.
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| Gross motor play in our tunnel |
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| Gross motor and cooperative play- our parachute |
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| Blocks- imaginative and pre-math skills, balance, hand eye coordination |
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| Our chalkboard- imaginative, drawing, and writing practice |
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| Our train set takes problem solving skills to build |
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| Sensory play- organic materials like water that soothe, flow and are open-ended |
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| Making playdough- includes math and science |
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| Fine Motor- playdough is imaginative, sensorial and strengthens hands |
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| Dramatic Play- our fire truck. Children re-enact what they see in the world |
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| Gross Motor- yoga. It is nice to learn to slow down, relax, and stretch. |
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| The children have the opportunity to be "yoga teacher" and demonstrate a pose |
Outside time is important. Fresh air, sunshine and nature. Freedom of movement and building on motor skills- plus fun!
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| Streamers |
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| Lots of room to run and play games |
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| The sand is one of their favorite places |
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| Our stumps~ for climbing, as tables, as seats |
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| The children help each other |
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| We make friends at Lanie's |
I utilize the neighboring libraries and choose books based on specific interests of the children including non-fiction books to help us learn about the world.
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| A Big Book on loan from Milford Library |
I start where your child is, I won't rush or push your child, I value them as the unique individual they are.
When your child attends my program, I want them to feel welcomed and
at home. I want you to be able to leave them here knowing that not only
are they in good care but that they are happy to come here and look
forward to our day together.
Childhood is a fleeting and precious time. Children are learning all the time, there is no stopping them!
Our day is set up so that your child can become immersed in interesting things, so that there is time to enjoy a beautiful day, so we can stop and observe nature whether it be plants and animals or an interesting insect...so that your child has time to PLAY!
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| Childhood is a time of wonder |
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| Come and see what Lanie's Place is all about~ Come and play! |
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