My name is Ashley. I am 26 years old and have been in the childcare profession since I was 11. I grew up about two hours North of Edmonton, and am the oldest of six children. In 2012, I completed the Red Cross babysitting program. When I was 16, I graduated from high school. My educational background at MacEwan University includes graduating in 2018 from their Emergency Communications and response, and in 2020 from their Police Investigative Studies. I had originally wanted to participate in their Early Learning Childcare program, but was too young upon graduating high school to apply. In 2024, I gained my Level 1 Early Learning Childcare certificate, and have been trying to save up to get my Level 3 certification. As a childcare provider, my goal is to take care of your children the same way that you would. By this I mean following routines, schedules, boundaries, and parenting styles set by the parents. As well, due to a past issue, I feel it necessary to say I will NOT work in a home with corporal punishment. I believe that all children are capable of amazing things if they are provided the resources and assistance they require. It is important to me that the children’s interests are being shown in the activities we are doing, as this makes them more engaging. Something I do not believe in doing is forcing children to participate, meaning if I have an activity set up and the child would rather do something else or watch a screen (if screens are allowed in your home). I will encourage them to participate, and if there is no interest over multiple attempts, I will communicate this to parents to see how they wish to proceed. The activities that I can provide range in ages from 6 months to age 12, but I have more experience with children 6 months to age 6 years. When deciding on activities, as mentioned, I will try to center them around the child’s interests. As well, if there are any areas that the parents want me to focus on, I will do that. Some parents do not want me to do planned educational activities like worksheets with their children and some do, and I am fine with either. As a childcare provider, it is important for me to recognize that there are so many varieties of families and they all do things differently. I have also watched children where the family told me just to sit them in front of the television and just relax and make sure that they are not getting hurt or making a complete mess of things. One family I provided care for was for one six year old and they were very focused on academics, so we would work on age appropriate projects similar to what they would be working on in school. We also spent time making crafts to work on fine motor skills and spending time outdoors when the weather was nice. Another family with two children was really just focused on the children having a relaxing and fun time while they were with me. During my time there, we watched animated movies their parent picked out, then afterwards we would read books and they would get tucked in their beds. A favorite prior job was when I was watching two children and the parents wanted academic stuff mixed in with a primarily relaxed fun day. At the beginning of the week, I would write a few easy words for the kindergarten aged child and we would work on identifying the sounds of the letters. The younger child would also get involved in this, so I would try to find worksheets and crafts they could both do. We would talk about colours and shapes of things as we walked and played, and would spend a lot of time reading if the children wanted to. A lot of time was spent building puzzles and doing imaginative play with animal figurines. Another child that I watched would occasionally come over to my home to do activities and crafts, which I felt more comfortable with because I knew they would be able to make as big a mess as they needed to get their creative process going. We would spend a lot of time doing dance parties, or just listening to music. I have a playlist containing a mix of movement, educational, and just fun to hear songs for children. There have also been several occasions where I have used public transit to take children to the recreation center (if their family has passes, I pay my own admission and would be reimbursed), library, or other indoor play areas the parents are familiar with. I do my best to stay up to date with events happening around the area in case there are any that may be of interest. Around holidays, I think it is fun to do activities or crafts based around that theme. I also like to do "themes" that follow whatever the child is interested in, for example ocean animals, garbage trucks, or dinosaurs. I enjoy working with children because it feels nice to be a part of raising the next generation to be kind and caring, and to give parents peace of mind that their child is being taken care of in the same manner as by their parents. Consistency is key for children, and it is important to me to help keep up with any routines or schedules they have in place. Currently, I am not certified in First Aid and CPR. Previously I was, but my certification expired in 2021 and since then I have not been asked for it by an employer. When it is feasible, I am planning on getting it renewed, as well as obtain a criminal record check to provide to parents, just for additional peace of mind. Due to some problems with clients in the past regarding scheduling, payment, communication, and responsibilities, I have created a contract outlining the terms under which I will accept employment. This contract is meant to be a way for the parents and childcare provider to be on the same page about duties and responsibilities, as well as scheduling and compensation. Meaning that you are able to fill it in however you see fit, and there are several sections where you can put "0" or "n/a" (ie. section 2.5, sick days, section 5.1 regarding orientation, and section 5. 2g regarding guaranteed hours). If there is something you would like clarification on, please ask.

Care for 1 Child aged roughly 29 months at start of position, 3 years and a month at the end of position October 2024- June 2025 Care for 2 Children aged 18 months and 3.5 years at start of position, at end of position 3 and 5 November 2022-August 2024 - Followed nap schedule set by parents until children outgrew daily naps - Assisting the younger child with potty-training - Occasionally walking to pick up the older child from nearby preschool while attending - Bus trips to recreation center [they had passes] and library (weather permitting) - Walks to explore nature and go to playgrounds (weather permitting) - Outside time (weather permitting) - Supervise children while they engage in play - Set up activities that are engaging for children for free play - Set up sensory activities indoors and out - Set up age appropriate developmental/educational activities (like worksheets and crafts) - Read books about various topics, while encouraging children in the beginning steps of reading - Attempt to keep activities within the interests of the children - Encourage development of gross motor and fine motor skills - Make meals and snacks based on parents direction - Update parents regularly throughout day with photos and things that have happened - Keep record of activities and meals daily Care for Infant 6 months at start of position, currently 2 and their 11 month sibling as well February 14, 2023 - Present. Part time, casual. Had portions at the start with 26 plus hour weeks Duties included: - Changing diapers (disposable) - Preparing bottles [(formula, formula mixed with breastmilk or cows milk) per parents instructions] - Washing and sterilizing bottles - Feeding meals and snacks requested by parents - Bathing infant when required - Putting infant down for naps - Tidying up from activities and meals - Keep infant engaged and happy throughout the day - Outside time (weather permitting) - Occasionally assist with household tasks - Updating parents regularly with photos and things that have happened during the day - Help children reach their crawling and walking by: - Encouraging tummy time - Assisting walking by armpit/hand holding Care for Infant 9 months at start of position February 28 2022 - April 29 2022 Full time and occasional overtime (Casual until April 2023) Duties included: - Changing diapers (disposable) - Preparing bottles (formula) - Washing and sterilizing bottles - Feeding meals and snacks requested by parents - Bathing infant when required - Putting infant down for naps - Tidying up from activities and meals - Keep infant engaged and happy throughout the day - Outside time (weather permitting) - Updating parents regularly with photos and things that have happened during the day Care for 2 Children aged 4 and 6 at start of position (Casual) March 2018 - September 2019 Duties included: - Preparing meals and snacks requested by parent - Bathing children if instructed - Doing a creative or imaginative play time - Putting children to bed - Tidying up after activities and meals - Provide discipline within guidelines set by parent Mothers Helper 5 Children aged newborn to 12 at start of position 2013-2017 Duties included: - Preparing meals for older children - Preparing bottles (breastmilk) - Put infants and younger children down for naps - Bathing infants and younger children when required - Changing diapers (cloth and disposable) - Light housework - Assistance with homework if required - Occasionally packing school lunches at guidance of parents - Disciplining children to the parents request (chill out zone)

Early Childhood Educator Level 1 Police and Investigations Diploma, MacEwan University Emergency Communications and Response Certificate, MacEwan University High School Diploma