Maria has provided exceptional education & care to my 3 children, spanning 7 years. Throughout this time she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to supporting children's development, by tuning into & understanding their existing skills, as well as helping them to try & master all sorts of skills that will be invaluable in life. I am always amazed by her creative thinking & ways to engage the children in her care- I recall once on pick-up, arriving to see a fully functioning life size cardboard shop, complete with window dressings & credit card swiper for payments. How on earth she came up with this idea & was able to execute it with extraordinary skill is beyond me, but the pure joy on the children's faces & the stories they retold about cooperative play as shopkeepers & customers highlighted to me just how special Maria is as an educator. She is always striving to run her day care to the highest educational standards, whilst also being able to maintain a sense of genuine care, commitment and reliability (including having never taken a sick day in 7 years) that can only come from family day care. The relationship I have seen Maria nurture with children are among the most valued in their lives, & as a Child Clinical Psychologist, I know what an extraordinarily positive impact this will have on the children now & in the future. I feel very blessed to have found Maria as our family day care Educator. _________________________ Dr. Laura Lucas Parent of three