Meet Ebony Murrie of Little Owl Treehouse

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ebony Murrie. 

Hi Ebony, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I have always enjoyed children and spent most of my childhood caring for younger family members; this helped introduce me to the techniques of childcare. After having my oldest son and not wanting to return back to work I turned my passion into employment. That was the beginning of owning my first childcare Jump for Joy Daycare. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Although I have a huge passion for children it has been a struggle staffing individuals that have the same passion. I currently have an amazing team and feel that they have the same passion for children as I do! 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Little Owl Treehouse?
I believe children learn best in a clean organized friendly and inviting space. I make sure that upon arrival everything is organized and ready for the children to explore and learn. I find that it’s best to label the bins and shelves with photos and words to help the children put the items back when it’s me to move on to a new area or activity. I strongly believe they learn new things by using their five senses, so instead of telling the children that the flowers in the garden grow tall and smell nice. I plant flowers with the children and give them a chance to watch them grow. Together we can see how each has different colors and smells. We spend a lot of time exploring through touch. I believe that by reading to the children it expands their vocabulary and we do this frequently. We spend a few weeks on the same books and bring in props to act out some of the characters in the book, by doing so the children can understand the book more than me reading what is on the pages. We incorporate music by ringing a bell everything a certain charter name or word is mentioned in the book. I meet the needs of children with special needs by communicating with the parents about treatment plans or goals that have been set by the parent and or the child’s DR or Specialist. I have invited the specialist in to see how the child interacts in my space with other children. I believe keeping an open line of communication helps the children be successful. I want to offer the same things in my daycare that the family offers at home so it’s not a drastic difference and they are able to feel comfortable. I have taken the time to learn the background of my students and educated myself on their beliefs, values, foods, and customs. I embrace diversity by providing the children with music in different languages. We use music and movement as a way to enjoy all music not just music in English. I find even though the children don’t speak the language they use this me to try to pronounce the words and even add the words from their own language when they can’t pronounce the words. I have prepared dishes from different cultures and use this time for the children to ask questions to help them understand more about others who have different backgrounds from their own. I offer multicultural dress-up clothing in the Drama play area that the children enjoy dressing up in. I did a complete lesson plan called “Around the World” and we explored the clothes we would pack for a vacation to that area along with what we would eat during our vacation. We listen to music and read books, and enjoyed making music instruments from that area of the world also. 

I believe that a childcare provider plays a huge part in children’s lives, I strive every day to make a difference with each child in my care. 

What were you like growing up?
I was born in Michigan and raised between Detroit and NYC. I spend summers and school vacations with my father in Dallas. At 17 I left NYC for good and made Michigan my Home. I grew up as an only child and really enjoyed playing teacher with my baby dolls. As a child, my interest consisted in helping others, sewing, and styling hair. I had dreams of becoming a nurse and although I chose a different path in life, I knew whatever I did it would consist of caring for others. 

Contact Info:

• Website: littleowltreehouse.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littleowlt/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Little-Owl-Tree-House-816127051841334/?ref=page_internal