Margaret Oberg
Home Child Care Provider
February 27, 2018
Early on, Margaret Oberg knew her calling in life was to take care of children. She helped her own family with thirteen siblings and was a babysitter to families in the neighborhood. After starting her own family, it was a logical step for Margaret to open a home child care center. Forty-one years later, she continues to live her dream career of taking care of children in the community, in addition to all of her grandchildren.
"I feel very lucky and blessed to take care of children. I have the opportunity to watch children discovering and growing. It’s not all just developmental stages, I get to see their little personalities too.”
Growing up, Margaret’s mother was very involved and she strives to be the same with the children in her care. They keep an active schedule with various activities centered around a themed unit, incorporating every area of learning, including nutrition. The children’s favorite recipe to make is muffins where they all contribute with measuring, mixing and in choosing the type of fruit that will be used. There are many times that parents are sent home samples to taste and recipes to share.
Learning can come through many circumstances. Margaret embraces the opportunity for emergent learning and outdoor play is a big part of the day. Using a natural creek setting in her backyard, she has created a world of discovery including a music area made from old pots and pans and a slide going down the hillside. She shares all of these experiences with parents through "Questions of the Day" and new vocabulary words which give the parents talking points. The "I Can" jar tells parents of accomplishments like tying a shoe or being a caring friend.
Margaret not only wants the children to learn, but she continually takes classes at the University of Nevada, Reno to improve her own teaching strategies. She has also earned her accreditation through National Association for Family Child Care and is a licensed Child Development Associate through The Council for Professional Recognition. Margaret truly wants to improve children’s lives and ensure that they have a positive learning experience with her. Her greatest joy is to see the children continually grow and learn and be able to witness their successes along the way.
From Reno, Nevada, Margaret has been a CACFP participant through Food for Kids since 1991.