Meet the Provider

My name is Natacha Michel, and I am the family childcare provider of Home4Kidz. I know and understand how difficult it can be — whether it is your first time leaving your child at a daycare program or simply adjusting to a new environment. Yes, I have been there too. When our daughter was a toddler, I returned to work, and my husband and I decided to enroll her in daycare.

The guilt and fear we felt every time we dropped her off were not easy, and the many questions we had in search of comfort did not always help ease that uneasy feeling. When I envisioned Home4Kidz, I made a promise to myself: one of my main goals would be to make not only your child comfortable and happy, but to help you feel at home and at peace as well.

My desires are to:

• Eliminate those fears and awkward moments by ensuring you never have to experience them in the first place.
• Help you feel comfortable leaving your child, knowing that when you return, he or she will have learned something new, become more socially engaged, and enjoyed every moment of the day.
• Provide a respectful environment for both you and your child.
• Collaborate with you on your child's needs and goals so we can teach him or her better together.
• Keep you up to date on how your child spent the day and inform you of our activities.
• Promote healthy meals and snacks for a healthy lifestyle.
• Last but not least — "laughter is good for the soul." I promise to make your child laugh at least once a day.
• I am determined to create an environment full of learning, growing, laughing, and dancing.

When I was a little girl, I often traveled with my mother on different Christian missions across the country. I would watch her work and assist families — especially those with young children, the sick, the poor, or anyone in need. As a child, I didn't understand what she was doing or why she brought me along. But as I grew older, I realized she was planting something in me that I can never deny and must always strive to carry: empathy.

My mother lived with an open-door policy. Even at our dinner table, there was always an empty chair with a plate and spoon ready, just in case someone happened to visit that day. She found time to serve the church and the community while raising eight children on her own, never failing in her responsibilities. She used to say, "It's not about what you gain, but what you do differently. I'm not doing these things for myself, but for my children's well-being." Her deeds truly bore fruit in each of my brothers' and sisters' lives — and in mine.

It is with that same spirit of gratitude and empathy that I became a childcare provider. I have one daughter, but in my heart, I have many daughters and sons. That is how I see the children who come into my program. They bring me an overwhelming and inexplicable joy — a feeling of being "forever young." It's the best way I can describe it, and I try my best to reciprocate that feeling toward them.

I dream dreams for these children. I envision greatness for them — even beyond measure. Every day, we set small goals together, even something as simple as "Let's be kind to each other today." It may seem small, but it is a powerful place to begin. My vision is that through their natural self-interest, they learn to see themselves — and through sympathy, they learn to see others.

Although my love for the children is sincere and deep, I know they did not come on their own. Building trust with families is just as important as building trust with the children. I form a partnership with every family to create a safe and respectful environment. I collaborate with parents about their needs and their children's needs and successes. Parents feel comfortable leaving their child in my care because, no matter what time they arrive for pick-up, their child has not only learned something new and meaningful — but has enjoyed the day to its fullness.

To conclude, when I look at each child in my care, I see a future man of honor, a woman of influence, a teacher, a visionary — a leader of tomorrow. And in the words of my mother, I am not doing this for my own gain, but for the well-being of my sons and daughters.

Honor to serve,
Natacha Michel