WELCOME TO
Tender Blessings
Early Learning Place
"Experience is not the best teacher, it's the only teacher."
Bev Boss
ABOUT US


EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Tender Blessings is a Family Child Care program that incorporates play-based learning, which builds upon a child's motivation, by using play as context for learning. Here children learn through exploration, experimentation and discovery of their environment.
MISSION STATEMENT
Tender Blessings will strive to provide children with unconditional love and acceptance where they feel safe and comfortable to not only learn but to express themselves without fear of judgment. As part of the Tender Blessings Family, children will experience a stimulating environment with a variety of materials available for them to explore, create, and discover the world around them while developing their natural curiosity, as well as self-help and problem solving skills.


MEET OUR TEAM
OUR TEACHER - Kathy Bevard
Kathy is a graduate of Towson University, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education.
She has more than 40 years experience working with young children in Child Care settings, including teaching preschool ages 2-5, Assistant Center Director, and Center Director. Kathy's experience is not only as an educator, but as a mother who has raised 5 children.
Kathy is also a Maryland State Department of Education Trainer and is certified to teach continuing education courses for child care professionals throughout Maryland.
In addition to the above training, Kathy takes a minimum of 30 continuing education training hours yearly. These training certificates are available for review upon request.
Kathy is very proud to have earned the following recognitions, certification and accreditations for her program.
OUR SUBSTITUTES
Kathy Bevard is the primary teacher and caregiver of the children in the Tender Blessings Family. However, there are times during the year the need for a sub cannot be avoided. The few times a year that a sub is needed, one of the following adults will care for the children in Kathy's absence. These amazing folks also visit the program frequently just for fun and are loved by the children!
All subs have undergone a Federal Background check and are registered and approved by
Maryland State Department of Education Office of Child Care.
Vicki Ball
"Aunt Vicki"
Vicki is a long time friend of Tender Blessings. When she is not caring for babies at her full time job as a NICU nurse of 36 years, she can be found here snuggling with our babies and playing with the older children.


Elizabeth Gyermeh
"Miss Beth"
With her degree in Pedology, (the study of children's behavior and development) and her 17 years of experience in the education field,
Beth is a tremendous asset to the program.
Carl Bevard Sr.
"Fuzzy"
Fuzzy is Kathy's husband and can be found popping in and out of the classroom playing with the children and being silly on a daily basis. His specialty is calming fussy babies. Twelve years ago a toddler in the program started calling him
Fuzzy and the name stuck!
Now even his grandchildren
call him "Grandpa Fuzzy".


Kirsten Trenton
"Miss Kirsten"
Kirsten's daughter is a former student of Tender Blessings. We are so fortunate that, although she is no longer a part of our family as a child care parent, she is still involved with our program as a substitute. She is always eager to assist Kathy with activities and parties. Kirsten is also a substitute for Calvert County Public Schools.
TESTIMONIALS

Ms. Kathy is a nurturing, patient and loving teacher. She has a special way of making each child feel special in their own way.Kathy has the patience of a saint; she is firm yet gentle in her approach of teaching the children conflict resolution and using their words to express their feelings.
Nita

Ms. Kathy has so much love to give and it is truly her passion in life to be with the children! She promotes an atmosphere of fun and learning, all while attending to each child's individual needs. She has a tremendous amount of patience and a great sense of humor. We are blessed to have her in our lives.
Sam
My kids feel safe and loved at Ms. Kathy's. They look forward to spending time with her. She has become part of the family.
Michelle

"We are very blessed to have found Ms. Kathy for she has a magical way with children. She promotes learning through fun lesson plans that integrate subjects in a hands-on manner. Ms. Kathy is very enthusiastic, family-oriented, funny, flexible, and loving which are qualities I want my children surrounded by and to role-model. She is a true 'Tender Blessing!'"
Evelyn & Chris



Tender Blessings provides an educational environment for children of all ages and proves to be a standard for quality care.
It is a relief to be able to drop your children off and know that they will receive excellent care when you are not able to be there. I would highly recommend this facility to any persons interested in childcare.
Angel

Tender Blessings has been a great experience for our family. It has the learning opportunities of a larger daycare center but the flexibility of a home daycare provider. Kathy has really taken the time to get to know our son and has helped him to grow and socialize.
Jessica





We love all the forms of learning our daughter gets to experience and the socialization and learning with the other kids. She's grown so much over the last year and a half and its amazing to watch.
Jill

My daughter has anxiety about new people and did not like her previous day care. She would cling and start sobbing hard when we I'd drop her off. Switching to Tender Blessings with Kathy has changed it all. She goes easily to Kathy and ignores me when I say goodbye. My daughter has become more happy since starting there.
Arlene
TUITION RATES
Enrollment at Tender Blessings reserves a spot within the limited teacher child ratios determined by The Maryland State Department of Education Office of Child Care and is not determined by the days or number of yours your child physically attends the child care facility.
INFANT & TODDLER CARE - (6 Weeks to Two Years of Age)
- Parents are responsible for providing diapers and breast milk. Tender Blessings will provide a brand of formula of our choice. Parents are always welcome to provide their own formula in the event they do not want to use the formula provided.
- Tender Blessings is responsible for breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack once solid food is recommended by the child's physician. Meals and snacks will be in accordance with USDA Federal Food Guidelines.
- Children only enrolled during the school year are not eligible for 5 days vacation tuition break since tuition is not paid during the summer months.
$260.00
Weekly
PRESCHOOL CARE (Two to Five Years of Age)
- Parents are responsible for diapers, if needed.
- Tender Blessings is responsible for breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack in accordance with
USDA Federal Food Guidelines.
- Children only enrolled during the school year are not eligible for 5 days vacation tuition break since tuition is not paid during the summer months.
$160
Weekly
ENROLLMENT FORMS
Forms with an *are required by Maryland Sate Department of Education. All of these forms must be completed before your child may begin attending Tender Blessings.
MEDICATIONS
Before children can be administered any medication, either over the counter or prescription, a MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION FORM
is to be completed and accompany the medication in it's original packaging.
Over the counter medications are only permitted to be administered
once per day by a child care provider.
Please make note that over the counter medications may not be administered more than 3 days per illness.
PARENT HANDBOOK
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
INTRODUCTION
Tender Blessings Early Learning Place establishes a warm loving environment which stimulates children to learn and develop socially, through interaction with their classmates and teacher; intellectually through participation in a variety of age appropriate learning experiences in language, arts, science, mathematics, music, art, creative play; emotionally, by helping them to know themselves and relate to others; physically by providing them with equipment to develop large motor and fine manipulative skills. I strive to provide the support and encouragement each child needs to develop at his/her own rate.
The program is modeled after those found in high quality nursery schools integrating group learning and independent “Work Time”. Your child’s play is work. As he/she plays skills are being acquired that are vital in his/her academic development.
PROVIDER VACATION
Provider will receive 10 days paid vacation every calendar year. Families are to receive written notification 4 weeks prior to provider taking vacation time.
PROVIDER TRAINING
Provider may take up to 5 days off to attend professional training but no more that 3 consecutive days. Provider must notify families two weeks prior to attending a single day training and 4 weeks for training of 2 to 3 days. Provider will make training certificate available for review by parents as requested.
FAMILY VACATION
Families paying tuition for all 12 months of the year are eligible to take one tuition free week vacation (5 consecutive days) per year. Tender Blessings must receive written notice 4 weeks prior to taking vacation. Families that do not attend during the summer months, therefore not paying tuition, are not eligible for this tuition credit.h
- Two complete sets of extra clothing appropriate for season
- A sweater or light jacket
- Disposable diapers and creams as needed.Please do not allow your child to bring any other items from home other than those specifically asked for by Tender Blessings. Tears and conflict over lost or broken personal possessions do not contribute to a peaceful, cheerful atmosphere.b
Tender Blessings cannot be responsible for clothing and personal items not clearly labeled with the child's name.
Cot sheets, blankets and pillowcases will be washed by provider every weekend.
Flip-flops and sandals with toes exposed are dangerous for running and climbing; therefore not permitted at any time. The best footwear for your child is sneakers.
This is essential for your child’s safety.
The provider will only administer prescription or over the counter medication accompanied by a doctor’s note and a completed medication order form OCC1216, which may be printed off our web site http://tenderblessings.org Parents are welcome to visit the center during the day to administer any needed medication.
It is the parent’s responsibility to make sure that the provider can reach them at all times, even when they are away from their desk or office.Emergency cards must be kept current.
CONTACT US
DAILY REPORTS
Tender Blessings uses Tadpoles for daily reports and communication with parents. Every day parents receive an email and or a text message giving you a daily report of your child's day. Daily reports include a wide variety of information including activities completed, foods served, how much your child has eaten, napping times, potty and diapering, as well as individual notes as needed.