ABC Home Philosophy
ABC Home combines over ten years of childcare experience with the research done at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development and Montessori principles. I started ABC Home following experience volunteering at schools for exceptional children, teaching elementary classes, developing homeschool curriculum programs, babysitting, and nannying around the globe. The experience behind ABC Home led to a passion for creating the best environment for children not only to grow and develop, but to learn how to grow and develop, like teaching a man to fish versus giving them the fish.
The University of Minnesota is the United State’s #1 ranked Child Development Master’s program, with the Institute of Child Development (ICD) being the top producer of breakthrough academic research that solves real-world challenges through science. ICD focuses on building healthy relationships and communities through neuroimaging, electrophysiological recording, genetic and epigenetic studies, neuropsychologcal assessments, and scientific observations on behavior in 16 different specialized labs and three affiliated centers. Their studies and researchers span the globe, challenging and growing the theories behind education systems and developmental psychology.
Dr. Maria Montessori started the Montessori educational philosophy in 1906 based on Vygotskian theories on child development. Using scientific pedagogy and experimental psychology at the time, she postulated an educational program to universally teach all children. Starting with children who were deemed “too unruly” for traditional schools at the time, she observed calm, peaceful order when children explored their world through specific toys that focused on tasks commonly used in life. Keeping the classroom simple, organized, and calm produced students who were independent and fostered a passion for lifelong learning. Today, her philosophies are practiced through rigorous, self-motivated learning based on creativity and skill mastery.
The combination of experience with children and families who were struggling with childcare in a modern world, the scientific research at the ICD, and philosophies proven to produce organized and passionate learners makes the ABC Home a unique structure in the Pittsburgh region. ABC Home views an educational opportunity in every aspect of the world, and aims to bring experience, science, and philosophy together through play and fun in a safe environment.
Children In Our Care
ABC Home was created to fill the gap between when most maternity leaves end, and before preschool begins. We accept children between the ages of four months and four years old. During this time, approximately 90% of brain development occurs, yet most programs neglect developmental focus for these children!
As in a true family environment, children will have the opportunity to learn and grow with others in the same Home. This socialization allows infants to observe and mimic older children, and older children to learn leadership skills and responsibility extremely early on!
Program Size
ABC Home limits the number of children in the program to allow our philosophy to flourish. We only have room for five children in our Home so we can provide the attention, love, and individualized curriculum needed while still allowing children to gain social skills and grow.
By only having five children in our program, we are able to provide individual spaces for children, regardless of part time or full time status. Not only does this limit your child’s exposure to illnesses, this means your child will have their own bed, utensils, and space no matter what day it is! Like visiting your childhood home, knowing you have everything you need already there, ABC Home wants to relieve some of the stress of daily packing and chores -- we offer some storage for food items, and can wash the sheets and bottles for you! Contact us for more information!
Extended Family Program
The Extended Family Program is open to the community! Once registered, you will receive emails updating you on Special Presenters throughout the year that have extra seats available. While it’s free to enroll in the program, the seats fill at a first-come-first-serve basis for a small fee. All children must be accompanied by an adult, but all ages are welcome for the duration of the presentations! See our Calendar for upcoming events!
“You could not find a better caretaker than Alexandria. My 9-month old son absolutely adores her. She is kind, patient, smart, fun, and hardworking. She is constantly finding new ways to entertain him, always with a focus on learning and development. He has taken to her like a member of the family and we could not be more grateful!”
Ready to join our home?
Fill out our inquiry form, and we’ll be in touch very soon with next steps.
