Shabnum S.

Ms. Shabnum has been my son’s child care provider through Infant Toddler Family Day Care for over 2 years since he was 4-month old, and he has nothing but the fondest memories of her.

Ms. Shabnum is one of the most loving, caring and patient people I can ever think of, and as a parent, we all know how important (and difficult!) to be patient with small children. She would listen to every child’s needs and stories, and encourage them to learn new skills whenever possible. She always took an active role in enhancing the children’s intellectual and physical development, by switching around toys periodically, providing age-appropriate activities such as craft, nursery rhymes, story time and learning new words, and organizing outdoor playtime regularly. In addition, her husband and children have always been very supportive and cooperative in taking good care of children, and my son loved to hang out with each one of them. Accordingly, Ms. Shabnum and the entire Siddique family created a very warm and welcoming environment to any children and family, and during our time in her care, we always witnessed a smooth transition for a new child who freshly joined her day care. In fact, our family friend had a 1-year old son who was at home since birth, but just joined a different home day care and had a traumatizing experience. He cried through a day at that day care, and the teacher called him a “problem child.” As such, his parents were dismayed, yet desperately in need of a new child care, so I recommended them to come visit Ms. Shabnum’s house. They instantly liked her and enrolled their son, who this time promptly assimilated into his new environment.

On top of her great personality and care, Ms. Shabnum keeps her house very clean, and is a wonderful cook who always feeds children with delicious and nutritious food. Moreover, her basement where she uses for her day care, as well as her backyard, is very well equipped and specifically designed for children’s use (especially, you don’t usually see a proper slide and swing set in a home day care!). Furthermore, she also offers after care services through ITFDC’s Child Care Plus program which has been extremely helpful for a working mother like myself.

Affectionately called by all children as “Mama Shabnum,” Ms. Shabnum would make an excellent child care provider for any family. As a single parent without any relative living in the area, Ms. Shabnum and her family have been a second mother and family to my son, as well as to myself. We will have to leave her care soon only because we are moving out of town, but since she had become such a valuable part of our household, I would have kept my son in her care as long as possible, had the situations permitted. I believe any children and family are lucky to be in Ms. Shabnum’s care because of her warmth and professionalism, and we earnestly hope our departure will only open a door for the benefit of a new child and family.