Welcome to another provider profile, where we highlight the great childcare workers in Durham Region!

Name: Tamara

Family: Married to Ken for almost 9 years and we have three wonderful children. Connor is 7, Sierra is 5 and Callum is 20 months. We also have two bunnies named Hoppy and Pumpkin.

Daycare type & location: Tamara’s Tots Home Daycare, located in North Oshawa.

How long in business: 5 years in home daycare and 3 years in a centre.

Why did you decide to become a childcare provider?: I missed working with kids and wanted to be home with my own children.

What’s your favourite part of the day?: Circle time. I love seeing the kids dance and sing and express themselves. They are little balls of energy.

What do you find most challenging about your job?: Scheduling. Trying to get everything done and spend quality time with the kids too.

What makes you unique?: I help run a local home daycare provider group (Childcare Providers Unite). This group has allowed me to be a better provider and parent. We meet on a regular basis to learn new things, exchange ideas and plan lots of wonderful field trips to take the kids on.

Favourite memory as a provider: Hearing the kids call each other their best friends. They are so little, but they form such bonds.

If you could change one thing, what would it be?: To have a bigger playroom. It’s always nice to have more room to do more fun activities.