Fanny Mel Family Child Care, Los Angeles

I am originally from Peru, and in 1978 my husband and I moved to Venezuela where we would give birth to our first daughter in 1981. Just a couple of years later, I began to care for the children who were growing up in my neighborhood. I still remember Janet, Damigcel, Gaby, Dora, Alberto, Jorge Javier, Meyling, Martica and many others who stayed in my care. We played, told stories, went on a trips, and we grew and learned together. In 1988 I moved to Los Angeles to be with my mother, who had already been here for 12 years. By then, my husband and I had two daughters, and in 1989 I began my first Family Daycare in an apartment just off Venice Blvd. I only had three children in my care at that time and I also worked with a program called “ENRICH.” Soon, my Family Daycare started to grow and we relocated to a house in Mar Vista, Ca. At that time, I was one of the few Family Daycare providers who spoke Spanish. I also began working with many different government agencies, like the Westside Children’s Center, Connections for Children, and Venice Family Clinic. I am grateful to all the people at these agencies who helped me to grow professionally, and especially Marlene from “Children First Program.” In 2001 Mel Family Daycare was officially accredited, and I went to College to take courses in Early Childhood Education. Today, I am very proud to say that I have my Child Development Credential.