Educator Spotlight: Victoria Snyder

Our Educator Spotlight features some of the most amazing educators in our community. Throughout this series you will have an opportunity to learn a little more about our readers, as well as explore unique preschool programs across the U.S and in other countries.

I'd like you to meet...

This month we are featuring early childhood educator Victoria Snyder of Miss Vicki's Daycare.

As a long time community, and club member, Victoria has graciously shared photos her amazing dramatic play spaces with our community over the years.

I'm always so amazed at the props she has gathered for her program, that has allowed her  to create so many incredible pretend play opportunities from farms-to circus fun.

Learn more about Victoria and her program...

Why did you become an early childhood educator, and how long have you been one?

I was a single mom and had to send my daughter to daycare’s and places that I really wasn’t comfortable with that really made me decide to start my own daycare. By the time I got my daycare up and running my daughter was in sixth grade-but I still didn’t have to worry about who was going to watch her if schools were late or canceled.

I’ve been doing daycare now for 15 years and I’m lucky enough to have three of my own grandchildren now enrolled in my daycare.

What is the philosophy of your program, and what makes it unique?

I believe children learn through play. What makes my daycare stand out and unique are all the dramatic play set-ups I create and the arts & crafts I offer.  I’m very artistic so I love to do arts and crafts with the children. I love to provide opportunities for dramatic play that create wonderful lifelong memories for the children.

I was also inspired by my own babysitter growing up. I had gone to several that were not very good and I finally went to one that I ended up calling Nana. She used to let us pick our own breakfast and was just so special in so many ways and I try to put that into my daycare and create those special memories like I was given.

What is your favorite thing about being an early childhood educator?

My favorite thing is teaching the children and watching them grow. 

What advice would you give to a new educator?

My advice to someone starting out it’s really tough at the beginning till you build up a clientele and some days you’re going to want to quit don’t it gets better. I promise there’s always going to be bad days but the great days outweigh those so much more and watching the joy you’re giving children is worth it all.

Thank You

I want to extend a big thank you to Victoria for sharing her wonderful program with our readers! Be sure to check out our Early Childhood Educator FB group to connect with her, and other early childhood educators.

Want to meet other early childhood educators?

Check out other posts in this series