By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
“This is something I’ve wanted to do for the past 20 years.” said Lisa Woods. “I was busy raising our own family as well as working but when our first grandchild arrived, our daughter said ‘Mom, you really need to start your daycare now’ — and my husband and I decided this was the right time,” she added.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Home Away From Home Daycare Center in Caribou, owned and operated by Lisa Woods, looks very inviting, filled with colorful toys.
Hence, on July 11, Home Away From Home Daycare Center, located at 8 Veronica Street in Caribou, will be opening its doors as a licensed daycare provider for children 6 weeks to 12 years of age.
Woods, a registered nurse, has most recently worked as the program nurse for Head Start. She said her daycare programs will include group activities, reading and even a chance for her charges to try their hand at acting/drama.
“There will be limited television, and I look forward to working closely with the children focusing on gross motor skills, manners, independence with positive discipline through re-direction,” she said.
The new daycare provider also stressed, “I definitely look at be parent directed, through a parent assessment I will ask, ‘What do you want your child to learn?’ I will also always have an ‘opened door’ policy, parents will be welcomed at anytime to observe — they won’t have to call ahead to have a specific time.”
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Lisa and Darren Woods stand in front of her Home Away From Home Daycare Center which will open July 11.
Over the past months, Woods and her husband, Darren have worked to create a welcoming atmosphere in the house at 8 Veronica Street. They plan a fenced-in backyard, divided into different areas for the younger and older children to have plenty of play space. Inside, the kitchen is outfitted with a variety of sizes of tables and chairs, including very comfy highchairs. Darren Woods, a paramedic, is also the North Lakes fire chief and a captain with the Caribou Volunteer Fire Department.
The main room, is awash with brilliant colors and well stocked with age-appropriate toys and learning materials, just the right size for small hands. “Home Away from Home is all about the kids and their family,” said Woods. This is very visible by one family-oriented wall which will contain photos of each of the children and their parents.
The facility, open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. will provide breakfast, lunch and a snack to the children, and will be in operation year-round. Woods’ menu will be in compliance with the federal nutritional Children and Adult Care Food Program.
“We have taken our time in readying this house for the daycare center,” said Woods. “We were striving for quality in everything before opening and the necessary inspections have shown we are over and above compliance,” she added.
Woods also said that any qualified assistants, or volunteers that may be employed at the daycare center, would have undergone stringent background checks, will be CPR and first aid certified, as well as maintaining a minimum of 12 hours per year of ongoing childcare training.
Applications and handbooks are available now to those parents seeking a licensed daycare provider for their child (children). Space is limited to 12 children. For more information contact Woods at 492-1567 or e-mail nursie35@msn.com.
