A Happy Bear Child Care Facility

Joshie @ AHBCC

Providers Poem

There was a provider who lived in a shoe
But being professional, she knew what to do.
She made best use of the space she could spare
and set up her home for family child care.
She registered with the state, called USDA,
Checked in with her R & R the very next day.
She knew she would need help in her situation;
the answer was joining a provider association.
She took CPR and First Aid classes, too
and brushed up on all the thing kids like to do.
She advertised, interviewed, contracted and then,
she counted the kids carefully--no more than ten.
She fed them good foods and recorded it too.
She potty-trained Jake, helped Mark tie his shoe.
Collected art items and made a new batch of clay
and cut out cute pictures for a new theme's display.
She diapered, she bandaged, she wiped every nose,
She comforted Tim when Sue stepped on his toes.
She cooked & she washed, scrubbing floors, scraping glue.
She recorded attendance, did her bookkeeping too.
She wrote parents notes home 'bout the kids in her care,
Anecdotes and concerns that they'd want her to share.
She read to the children while they sat in her lap
And she sang to them softly when they started to nap.
She called a provider who was feeling depressed.
She spoon fed the baby then got him redressed.
She picked up and dusted when they went out the door.
She updated records, picked up toys, mopped the floor.
She started the laundry, checked the mail, made a list
of the groceries she needed and the chores that she'd missed.
She collapsed in a chair and put up her feet,
then in came her family wanting something to eat.
She fed them all quickly, heard their stories, gave them hugs.
Then she rapidly washed up all the dishes and mugs.
As the family retired at the end of the day
She got out some books to study for her CDA.
She reflects on her day, in her eyes there's a gleam,
for this provider is developing pride and esteem.
She works a long day and the pay isn't fair,
but the kids that she works with get quality care.
Their parent’s commute to their work sites each day,
Concerns about child care aren't in their way.
They are free to produce at a marvelous rate,
which benefits business all over the state. If you live in a big house or
even a shoe,
Great is the work a provider can do.
Be proud, stand up tall, wear a smile on your face,
you are helping "tomorrow" be a much better place!
~ Author unknown ~

Contact Me

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, concerns or suggestions.

I am always looking for something new.
ahappybear@ymail.com
410-439-0193 (home)

Age Programs

INFANT PROGRAM
Fresh Starts:
We welcome our infants to the world of Fresh Starts. Our Infant Program is designed to work with your infant's individual needs, adapting to their physical, cognitive and psychosocial stages of development. At A Happy Bear Child Care, we know all about helping your infant build a sense of security and laying a foundation for the development of confidence and trust. A Happy Bear Child Care works closely with you on a daily basis to ensure we are meeting your infant's evolving needs through individualized schedules and loving, attentive care.

TODDLER PROGRAM
Next Step:
At A Happy Bear Child Care our toddlers are busy "Discovering Me". Fun and educational activities and materials are provided to foster your child's language development, and social, emotional and cognitive growth. Toddlers are encouraged to explore, discover, invent and experiment while they gain an understanding of the world around them. Next Step offers your child opportunities for individual and
group activities, while integrating a caring and nurturing environment for your rapidly growing toddler.

TWO YEAR OLD PROGRAM
New Adventures:
New Adventures is the mantra for A Happy Bear Child Care’s increasingly independent two-year-old children. We guide your child in daily activities that enhance their language and socialization skills, incorporating children's literature, music and movement activities, and art exploration, all activities are administered
with tender loving care and are designed to meet the needs of your naturally curious and active two-year old. Our goal is to give your child everything he/she needs to grow into a happy, healthy and successful person.

THREE YEAR OLD PROGRAM
It can be done:
Any parent knows "It can be done " is the hymn of the increasingly independent three-year-old child. This program promotes your child's independence, imagination and creativity. Your three-year-old is becoming interested in activities with structure. Language, reading readiness, and socialization skills are integrated in daily activities. Children are encouraged to speak in sentences, and identify colors
and shapes. Further, they will gain a love of children's literature and begin to recognize individual letters of the alphabet. The It can be done program helps your child put all of his or her new skills together to promote a feeling of competency and confidence.

FOUR YEAR OLD PROGRAM
1, 2 ,3 GO!:
With our 1, 2 ,3 GO! program, your four-year-old is on his/her way. A Happy Bear Child Care helps your child on his/her way by providing a wide range of hands-on educational activities and materials that promote reading readiness, language arts, math, science, and social and motor skills. It is our goal to instill a joy of learning and give your child the confidence to try new challenges that will result in future academic success. A Happy Bear Child Care will work with you, as a team, to provide your child an education that is personalized according to your child's individual needs and abilities.

FIVE YEAR OLD PROGRAM
Here I come:
"Here I come!" At A Happy Bear Child Care our five-year-olds are recognized for their special talents and interests. The program includes guided learning experiences in language arts, math, science, social studies, creative art, and music. Emphasis is placed on developing phonetic awareness, reading and
writing skills in an environment that promotes creative expression and peer cooperation. Our environment fosters a love of learning and prepares children for a successful journey through their school age years and beyond.

SCHOOL-AGE PROGRAM
Creative Seekers:
Creative Seekers is a before and after school program for elementary school students. We offer a safe, secure and fun environment, with ample opportunity for socialization in an age-appropriate setting. Children can participate in a wide range of daily activities, including arts and crafts, science and
discovery, games, creative dramatics, sports and recreation. I will walk all Kindergarten children to the bus stop in the AM, pick them up when it is time to do so and walk back to the day care with them.

Your child(ren) will be supervised at all times in all areas excluding the restroom unless my assistance is required.

Daily Schedule

Monday through Friday
600am to 530pm

630-730 Arrival/Breakfast
730-800 Quiet activities/Sensory/Art
815-830 Walk to the school bus stop for morning drop-off
830-915 Together time (theme discussion, stories, etc)
915-930 Snack/Potty time/Clean up
930-945 Getting ready for outdoor play/special activity
945-1100 outdoor play/walk/special activity
1115-1130 head back indoors/wash hands/prepare for lunch
1130-1230 LUNCH/clean up
1230-100 Potty time/independent reading/play
100-300 relax/reflect/sleep/nap time
300-330 potty trip/quiet time
330-345 snack
345-415 Walk to school bus stop for afternoon pick-up
415-515 free play/sensory/art
515-530 back indoors to clean up/pick up

Meals and Menu Samples

It needs to be established who will provide meals, snacks and drinks for the children. If I provide all meals and snacks for children over the age of the parent must bring with them the first day of care each week: a gallon of milk and a sugar free juice of some sort. However if you chose to provide meals and snacks, they must be nutritional. NO sugar products (candy), NO lunchables, NO chips. Meal and snacks must contain protein, fruits and vegetables. If I am providing meals and your child arrives after a meal is served you ARE required to feed the child.
FRUIT PUNCH/KOOL-AID/SODA IS NOT PERMITTED.

Scheduled Eating Times listed below:
Breakfast: 8:30am
AM Snack: 10:30am
Lunch: 12:00pm & 12:45pm
PM Snack: 4:00pm
Dinner: 6:30pm (future)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the rates for child care?
Advance payment equal to two weeks of care will be paid, which will be applied to your last two weeks of care. This is NON-REFUNDABLE! I do require a deposit for ALL spots. If you are paying with Purchase of Care Vouchers, you are required to make payments to me until your vouchers are in effect. When we have signed all the forms you will then make your co-pay each week/bi weekly on the last day of care for the week to come. If payment is not received by the Purchase of Care Vouchers or only partial payment is received you will be responsible to pay in full the total or the difference. I will not resume care until this is paid in full.

All rates are based on Child Care needs. These are the groups in which I make my fees. I will inform you of your rate during the interview.
Reasonable Rates for ALL.
6 weeks to 23 months
2 years
3 years
4 years
5 years
6 years
Before and After Kindergarten care
Before and After school First grade and Up

Do I assist with toilet training?
I will help to potty train your child as long as you are consistently at your home. Your child MUST converse with me well enough for me to understand that he/she needs to use the potty. Your child MUST show signs of interest in using the potty before this stage is entered. Please do not expect your child to be ready for potty training when "YOU" are ready. This will only prolong the process and possibly delay it for a much longer period of time. I require your child to wear pampers until it is agreed by both myself and the parent for the potty training stage. When it has been agreed on the child is to wear regular under garment with the vinyl coverings until he/she has gone a full week with no accidents. Your child is to wear elastic waist pants/shorts for potty training so it is easy for them to pull up and down.

What type of emergency care does my child receive?
If your child becomes seriously injured while in care and First Aid or CPR will not correct it, I will call 911 and have an ambulance take your child to the hospital. I will then contact you. If you are not contacted I will contact the people listed on the emergency card. Please make sure the emergency card is complete and correct. If your child requires CPR or First Aid I will perform the procedure until emergency personnel arrive and take over. I will NOT be held responsible for any medical bills.


I require all children not yet in the first grade to lay down quietly for two hours each day. I also reserve the right to have school aged children lay down if they are being disruptive or to loud during rest time. This allows time for me to clean up from activities earlier that day, get ready for afternoon activities and this also entitles me to quiet me time. Your child will be supervised at all time except the restroom unless my assistance is needed.

Ms. Tiffiny

I am the single mother of two generous and beautiful children. My son Christopher is 17 years old and my daughter Brittiny is 12 years old. We have a 3 year old cat and her name is Bella. I am a member of the Anne Arundel County Family Child Care Association. I enjoy boating, drag racing, dining out, camping, planting flowers in my yard, reading to my children and having them read to me, riding my motorcycle when I can and I work out at the gym as often as possible. I live in Glen Burnie, MD. The elementary school I provide care for is Solley Elementary only. We have a playground not too far from the home and plenty of toys and balls for the children to enjoy. When weather permits we are mostly outdoors enjoying the fresh air and recreational time. I have been providing care for children since I was 14 years old. You know, the girl down the street to call when you wanted to go out with your spouse. I have always loved children and I enjoy acting like one myself. Doing child care allows me to act like a child again and not feel crazy about it. Who of you can say you get to play as a child and receive payment for it? I am CPR certified for adults, children and infants. I am also First Aid certified. I am licensed for 8 children at this time. I never have more than 6 children at any given time including my own. I feel as though I am able to offer more to a smaller group and more one on one time with each child this way.

"A Happy Bear Childcare"

A Happy Bear Child Care has grown to be one of the neighborhoods most respected child care. I accomplish this by doing the little things a lot smarter, and use more imagination. I am never satisfied with yesterday's success. It's the little things we do that goes a long way towards better developing each child's self esteem. I also do a lot of little things to raise your comfort level and ensure your peace of mind. A Happy Bear Child Care was established in August of 1999. I have been in child care for 12 years. I am a mother of two, and have numerous hours of training. I care for children ages 6 weeks to 8 years. I provide preschool for children 2 years to 5 years. I also accept children with the Purchase of Care Vouchers which is sometimes hard to find.