De La Madre (of the Mother) Daycare creates a community for young children which fosters free play and nurtures connection to nature. It is safe & simple environment where children can feel as though they belong.

We believe that structured academics has NO place in early childhood, we allow plenty of play-based learning to unravel organically in a natural environment. Mother Earth is the best place to facilitate these events and our rustic daycare environment is primarily outdoors to do just this. Our outdoor learning environment is informed by the 12 best practice indicators developed b the Natural Learning Initiative at North Carolina State University.

Here are just a few of the ways they will learn through playful exploration through the lens of nature:

  • Sensory play with water, dirt and sand

  • Fine and gross motor skill development through outdoor free play 

  • Natural cycles such as weather pattern, seasons, moon cycles & more

  • Gardening & animal care

  • Food awareness through gardening & snack preparation

  • Promotes physical activity

We implement the method of positive discipline, as created by Dr Jane Nelson; “To create a peaceful world by teaching Positive Discipline social emotional life skills for respectful relationships.”

Victoria Joy

“Mz Thor”

Director & School Nurse

RN, MSN, PhD Nursing accepted candidate

BLS, Pediatric First Aid

Although Thor is a natural leader and educator, she also has the appropriate experience to support her community endeavors as evidenced by her Master’s in Nursing Education and certification of Positive Discipline Classroom Educator.

She boasts continued work as a community health nurse (10+ years as an RN ), as well as accepted doctoral student for community health nursing to research the implementation of ‘nature play’ as a developmentally-appropriate learning tool to reduce the rates of overweight & obesity in Texas children ages 2-5 years old.”

She is a full-time mother and utilizes all these experiences to inform “De La Madre Daycare;” which is much more than a daycare, but it is a community for young children with the fundamental values of nature, free play, community and simplicity

Deyfilia Mora

“Mz Dey”

Teacher

BLS, pediatric first aid

Dey is the mother to one beautiful son and boasts years of experience working with young children. Her background as a mother and early childhood educator inform the way in which she engages with the children. She is full of energy and loves being active with the children.

LaNia Ellis

“Mz Nia”

Teacher

Nia brings lots of experience to the classroom. She loves to teach the children through play and interaction. She is a great storyteller who always captivates her audience. She contributes thoughtful art projects for the kids.

Booklist:

Simplicity Parenting - Kim John Payne ***a must read***

Hunt, Gather, Parent - Michaelleen Doucleff

Positive Discipline, the first 3 years & Positive Discipline for preschoolers - Dr Jane Nelson

You are your Child’s first Teacher - Rahima Baldwin Dancy

Raising Good Humans - Hunter Clarke-Fields

Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids - Dr Laura Markham

Braiding Sweetgrass - Robin Wall Kimmerer

Women who run with Wolves - Clarissa Pinkola Estes