Eckelt, Dr. Susan L

Miss Susan is wonderful! Our family loves her. This was the first time that my husband or I have really been away from our son for regular periods (2 years old) and with a doctorate in developmental psychology, I was pretty picky about who to place him with. Our son loves Miss Susan too and says "Yay!" in the mornings as he runs off to get his shoes yelling "Miss Susan's house! Friends! Yay!". The services are provided in her home with a small group of children (max of 7). She is the only provider, but does have a back up provider (normally her daughter-in-law) in case of illness, etc. She is licensed, nationally accredited, and very involved in child care advocacy and training. Hours are 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. The area is clean, the toys age appropriate and in good shape, and the activities engaging and creative. I feel the children get a good mix of structured activities and free play. She encourages outdoor activity and has plenty of large outdoor toys in the back yard (fenced) for them to use. She regularly has "theme" weeks as well where the children focus on a particular topic (e.g., butterflies, magnets) that are fun and educational. Monthly newsletters are sent home to the family with reminders and updates. TV programming is allowed but very limited and appropriate. She is caring for the children and is hands on, both with the kids themselves as well as everything that goes with it. For example, she doesn't hesitate to launder their clothes if needed rather than send them home dirty. She does have very specific expectations for the parents when it comes to when payment is due, pick up times, illness, etc., but not unreasonably so. My only "complaint" is that we pay every week of the year, including for holidays (which she takes most banker's holidays) and a 2 week vacation that she takes during the summer. But our "spot" could likely be filled by a whole list of other kiddos, so I pay without real complaint, knowing the care he receives when he's there is likely the best thing next to my own.