Sheryl Eichenlaub Family Child Care Homes

Family focused, early learning program in a STAR 4 setting in the South Hills of Pittsburgh.
As a family child care program, we strive to provide care with a loving, safe, and fun environment. We offer the opportunity to develop a consistent trusting relationship with your family. We respect each child and family's unique characteristics and welcome the chance to enhance our learning through your child's eyes. We offer continuity of care and work to build a lasting partnership with your family that frequently lasts long beyond the child care years.
Family style care provides a loving and learning environment for infants to school-aged children. Children are given professional care by two caregivers with an intent of developing their minds, bodies, and spirits. Older children enjoy helping the younger children while the younger children look up to and enjoy learning from the older children. Our time is spent in a play based environment doing developmentally appropriate activities that inspire children to want to learn and keep busy but allow time to watch the clouds float by. Children should be loved, held and hugged and afforded stable, long-term relationships with caring adults and children and routines that give structure as well as flexibility.
Bi-weekly themes give a centered direction through art, crafts, cooking, games, books and field trips. Reading to and with children is of utmost importance. Art and dance/exercise is a priority although teacher-led activities have their place in teaching children to follow directions. Children thrive in the fresh air of the great outdoors.
Our physical environment is part of our home. We serve healthy, home cooked snacks and meals. The children have access to art materials, science and math tools, a library, a dramatic play area, a block area, train table, and water/rice box. Just outside, the children can see a pond with goldfish and horses grazing. The outside area includes a grassy area with a stone path to sand/water tables, a natural playscape with a climbing area and slides built into the hillside, garden paths on a terraced hill, a digging area, and a stage with ramps.
Our preschool curriculum familiarizes children with written language, numbers, and developmentally appropriate learning objectives. Assessments, work samples and photographs are used to create a portfolio which is shared with your family. I appreciate that you allow me to share the responsibility of your child.