Meet Our Children’s Courtyard Staff – Ms. Melissa, Toddler Teacher

Meet Ms. Melissa, the lead toddler teacher at The Children’s Courtyard in Concord, NC! She has been at this location for eight years and has nearly 25 years of experience in early childhood education! Read our Q&A with Melissa to learn more about her!

Why did you choose a career in early education?

In high school I interned with a class at a child care center and I just loved it. They offered me my first job. I just loved children and I knew I wanted to work with them, so I just kind of went into this career and stayed here!

How is it rewarding for you to work with toddlers every day?

I just love them. They’re very loving and I just love being around them. They’re a lot of fun.

What are some of the lessons you teach in your class?

A lot of their lessons just involve working on their motor skills. We do a lot of dancing. We talk about the different colors. We talk about pictures in the books and make animal sounds and we count.

If your students could describe you in one word, what would it be?

I think probably “loving,” because I hug my children a lot. I make sure that they feel loved and safe and secure while they’re here.

Why do you feel early education programs are important for kids?

I just feel like the social interaction with other children benefits them for when they go to school. They get the basic learning that they need before they enter school. I know the age from infants to threes is the most crucial in their learning. I think it’s very important that they get that.

In what ways do you work to keep communication open with parents?

I’m very open with them. I come in when they come in the morning and I ask how their night was. If they have any concerns, I make sure they know that they can call me during the day. I let them know I’m just very open. They can ask me any questions they feel they need to and I just make sure to let them know that their child is taken care of while they’re gone to work.

What do you like about working at The Children’s Courtyard?

I just feel like the staff and admin is more like a family than co-workers. My co-teacher has become like my best friend. We know what’s going to happen and we just play off each other and it’s great.  I feel like we are close knit here and I’m happy.