I am offering an in home daycare setting for 1 or 2 additional children. I already have 3 children of my own (ages 2, 6, and 9). We live in a nice house in the Bon Air area. We have a large fenced in backyard with a playground. I have a bachelor's degree in psychology from VCU. I am also currently licensed through the Virginia Board of Counseling as a Qualified Mental Health Professional for Children (QMHP-C). I have spent the last 8 years working with children and teens profoundly impacted with autism spectrum disorders. I have 4 years experience working as an in home counselor to families with special needs children facing various challenges and implementing behavior plans. I have an additional 4 years working in a classroom setting employed as a teaching assistant at the Faison Center for Autism. I previously worked in a classroom with students diagnosed with autism displaying varying levels of challenging behaviors who are unable to attend public school and needed more one on one support. I had immensely enjoyed working in this field while helping families and children in this population achieve goals and grow in so many countless ways. I was however torn because working full time outside of my home with 3 small children for so many years was very difficult and I am now grateful to have found more balance between my professional life and family life by pursuing my passion for education and helping families and children grow while also being able to spend more time with my own family. I have countless years of experience as both an educator, mentor, and of course child advocate, not to mention parent to my own 3 children. I am also very well acquainted in helping students academically as well if needed. I am comfortable caring for children of all or any age and am fortunate enough to still have toys for older kids and also lots of baby equipment for use. We do circle/group time daily where we read, sing, and learn about various different topics and concepts. We are planning to do virtual homeschooling for the duration of this next school year due to health concerns.I am certainly open to helping families with children who are also pursuing this route long term. We cannot care for children where any direct family member is attending public school or a large daycare center as I have an autoimmune disorder and my daughter also has a disability that effects her immune system functioning. Any other questions please feel free to ask!