Mary Dammann of Tijeras, N.M. will be featured on the “Caregiver of the Week” segment, on the national PBS series “A Place of Our Own” and “Los Niños en Su Casa,” on Friday, Sept. 28 at 1 and 1:30 p.m., respectively on KNME Channel 5.
Additionally, the Los Angeles PBS station, KCET, the series producer, has invited Dammann and Edward J. Ulman, KNME education and outreach manager, to the First National Child Care Providers Awards Ceremony - presented by “A Place of Our Own” and “Los Niños en Su Casa,” Wednesday, Oct. 10 at the Reserve Officers Association, in Washington, D.C. Recipients those featured as “Childcare Provider of the Week” in the series.
Approximately 200 guests are expected to attend, including members of the legislature, educational community and the media.
“Childcare Provider of the Week”
Down on Mary Dammann’s farm just outside of Albuquerque, N.M., goats munch on vegetables, preschoolers push a wagon, and, best of all, young children experience the many great things living in a rural area offers. Dammann says becoming a childcare provider 27 years ago changed her life. After working in childcare centers over the years, she knew it was time to open a home-based business and partner with her daughter, Jessica.
“A Place of Our Own” is the English-language companion to the Spanish-language series “Los Niños en su Casa.” Both shows are designed for parents and anyone who takes care of young kids: grandparents, nannies, babysitters and home daycare providers. The shows covers: tantrums, literacy, preventing obesity, speech and language delays, among topics. These Peabody Award-winning series combine an entertainment format — the daytime talk / demonstration show — with solid educational information on how young children learn, and what adults need to know to help kids be prepared for kindergarten and beyond.
Kindergarten teachers estimate that one in three children is unprepared for the challenges of school. “A Place of Our Own” and its Spanish-language companion series “Los Niños en Su Casa” respond to this need by providing parents and childcare providers with information about helping young children develop social, emotional and cognitive skills.
In fun and engaging half-hour episodes, Debi Gutierrez, host of “A Place of Our Own,” and Alina Rosario, host of “Los Niños en su Casa,” interact with parents and caregivers who provide insight on how to raise smart, healthy and happy children. The series also illustrate exemplary childcare, with segments shot in homes and pre-school centers, and demonstrate everyday activities to engage children in learning through play.
Media Contact: Evy Todd, (505) 277-1218; e-mail: etodd@knme.org