ABOUT US

Get to Know Me and My Approach

My Philosophy

The importance of play and its central role in informing children’s development underpins my entire child care philosophy and approach. Play fosters the natural acquisition of knowledge and skills and provides a framework upon which social-emotional, physical, language and cognitive skills develop. These skills lay the foundation for future learning. 

Against this backdrop, my role as a caregiver, on the one hand, is to provide encouragement and support to children as they experience and work through big feelings they don’t have the words to explain. The learning inherent in play involves communication, problem-solving, exploring and making discoveries. There are numerous opportunities for them to express their feelings. I step in as needed to help them identify, express, and manage their emotions.  
 
My role as an educator, on the other hand, is to facilitate early learning by providing an environment rich in opportunities that facilitate, support, and encourage play-based discoveries. This in turn promotes learning as children develop social and personal skills, enabling them to understand and express their feelings, develop friendships and work like a team. 

About Me

Marion Butlin, E.C.E. &

Early Childhood Learning Consultant, Founder of Scribbles

I was unable to find a program that ticked all the boxes for me when looking for child care for our child. I decided to leave the office behind, go back to school and focus on early childhood education. I have since met many parents whose path in life changed once they had a child. Child care was the right career for me. Children and early learning are my passion. I enjoy watching each child grow, learn and achieve at their own pace. Each stage of development brings its own challenges and rewards. 

  • I get to share in their sense of wonder about the universe.
  • I get to debate the merits of superheroes and which vegetables give them sharp eyes like a superhero. 
  • I get to suddenly bring down the noise level when I spot a fairy. You could hear a pin drop. 
  • Children’s comments when they see me in the morning:
    •  “What happened to your hair?”
    • “Are you wearing your pyjamas?”
    • “I know magic, I can make you pretty.”
  • I get to attend many plays and dance shows. 

Children are eager to start each day and each day is different. Children still believe in magic and have a sense of wonder for even the smallest detail. I get to share in their sense of accomplishment when they master a new skill. They are brutally honest and always say what’s on their mind which is oftentimes hilarious.

After 20 years, I love my job more than ever! It never grows old and there is always something new to learn.

My Approach

Learning through play

Like us, children learn best when they enjoy what they’re doing. Like a key, play unlocks the door to learning. 

Have you ever watched a child building with blocks? They delight in knocking them down, and throwing them. Stacking comes next. A little wobbly at first, o.k., a lot wobbly. They stack them up as high as they can, are thrilled when they topple over and often dive right into them. They start pointing to which block they need or to convey what they are doing next..be it building a house, a tower, etc. And so through play, they begin grasping and understanding new concepts. They need to balance their blocks if they don’t want them to fall over,  they gesture to a friend to help make them higher, and they try again and again until they are happy with it! Hence, their creativity and imagination are nurtured while numerous skills are developing. 

Another important component of play is each child’s developing social and emotional needs. Children’s needs are immediate, their feelings intense and their reactions strong. The patience we model helps them to develop empathy, learn to wait their turn, share with others and control their feelings. A wealth of emotional learning takes place daily and therein lies the power of play. 

My History

The Creation of Scribbles

I began by working in larger daycare settings where I learned a great deal about what I liked and what I didn’t like. There are many wonderful daycare programs to choose from, but I felt I could connect more with children in a smaller group setting. The daycare has been affiliated with Natural Childcare Connections, a licensed home child care agency, since 2016.

I enjoy the daily challenges and rewards. I start out in each child’s life as their caregiver, but as that child grows and develops, my role changes to that of a preschool teacher. A strong partnership between the parents and myself is invaluable to the success of each child. Parents are welcome to arrive early and chat about the day, join in an activity or simply observe their child at play. 

Our home was purchased prior to construction, enabling plans to be modified for a daycare. An abundance of natural light, along with dedicated indoor and outdoor play space, sold us on this location.

References Available Upon Request

Certifications & Qualifcations

  • Algonquin College, Early Childhood Education (E.C.E.), Honours

  • Vice-president of Child Care Providers Resource Network (CCPRN); our shared focus is advocating for changes to enhance support and resources for home-based childcare

  • Certified trainer for all 3 levels of the Canadian National Family Childcare Training program

  • Outdoor play training certificate with the University of British Columbia

  • Early Childhood Learning Consultant with Natural Connections Childcare

Certifications & Qualifications

  • Up-to-date First Aid: Standard C Level CPR & AED and Anaphylaxis Training

  • Home is inspected annually by certified fire alarm technician; fire safety plan reviewed by WCMCI Fire & Safety

  • Developed and taught child care workshops

  • Participant in Action Research Project, an initiative centered around developing an accreditation system for home child care providers in Ontario, and guest panelist at one-day symposium

My Affiliations

Scribbles involvement with community networks

Natural Connections Childcare

Our home daycare is affiliated with Natural Connections Childcare. Natural Connections is an agency licensed by the Ministry of Education. Their dynamic team provides a range of consulting services to both parents, independent childcare providers and childcare organizations.

Visit Natural Connections Childcare's site

Child Care Providers Resource Network

I am also affiliated with the Child Care Providers Resource Network (CCPRN). CCPRN is a non-profit organization which empowers, supports and connects individuals providing childcare in a home-based setting. CCPRN started as the result of a grassroots movement by a group of moms who met taking a home child care course at Algonquin College.  30 years later, we are a unique organization in Canada and are part of the Cross-Sectoral Early Years and Child Care Advisory facilitated by the Ministry of Education.

Visit CCPRN's site
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