About Us
Your Child Is In Great Hands
Tara's DayCamp & Transportation
Owner & Director, Tara I. Walls
Welcome to Tara's DayCamp & Transportation Homebase Childcare, where children are nurtured, encouraged, and inspired to reach their fullest potential every day.
As a Chicago native, I have always had a passion for serving children and families. For more than 29 years, I have dedicated my career to providing a safe, loving, and high-quality learning environment where children feel valued, respected, and excited to learn. My mission is to help every child build confidence, develop lifelong skills, and discover the joy of learning through play, exploration, and meaningful experiences.
Education and professional growth have always been important to me. I hold a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Administration, a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Networking, and a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. I am also Nationally Accredited by the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) and have proudly maintained my Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Child Care License in good standing for over 29 years.
As a lifelong learner, I continue to expand my knowledge through professional development and maintain active memberships with the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) and the Supporting Professionals Network Association (SPNA). Tara's DayCamp has also earned the ExceleRate Illinois Gold Circle of Quality, reflecting our commitment to providing high-quality early childhood education.
In addition to my work as an early childhood educator, I proudly served as a licensed foster parent for 10 years, further strengthening my commitment to meeting the unique needs of children and supporting families with compassion, patience, and understanding.
At Tara's DayCamp, we proudly serve children from birth through 13 years of age, offering childcare and transportation services to families throughout the south suburbs of Chicago. Our program provides a warm, family-centered environment where every child is encouraged to learn at their own pace while building friendships, independence, and confidence.
Our curriculum incorporates STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) to foster creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and a lifelong love of learning. My background in technology also allows me to introduce children to age-appropriate computer skills, preparing them for success in today's digital world.
Above all, our goal is to provide exceptional care in an environment where children feel safe, loved, comfortable, relaxed, and encouraged to explore, imagine, and grow. We remain committed to continuous professional development, staying informed of the latest advancements in early childhood education, and partnering with families to help every child thrive.
At Tara's DayCamp, we don't just care for children—we build relationships, inspire learning, and create a strong foundation for lifelong success.
Our Philosophy
At Tara's DayCamp & Transportation Homebase Childcare, we believe every child is unique, capable, and deserving of a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where they can grow, learn, and thrive. We recognize that the early years lay the foundation for lifelong learning, healthy relationships, and future success.
We believe children learn best through meaningful play, hands-on experiences, exploration, and positive interactions with caring adults. Our program encourages curiosity, creativity, independence, and problem-solving while supporting each child's social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development at their own individual pace.
We are committed to providing a family-centered environment built on trust, respect, open communication, and collaboration with parents and guardians. We value the important role families play in a child's development and believe that working together creates the strongest foundation for lifelong success.
Our curriculum incorporates STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) through age-appropriate activities that inspire children to ask questions, discover new ideas, and develop a lifelong love of learning. We celebrate diversity, encourage kindness, and teach children to respect themselves, others, and the world around them.
Safety is our highest priority. We strive to provide an environment where every child feels loved, secure, accepted, and confident to explore new experiences. We believe that positive guidance, consistency, and encouragement help children develop self-confidence, responsibility, and respect for others.
As lifelong learners and early childhood professionals, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality through continuous education, professional development, and adherence to best practices in early childhood education. Our goal is to provide exceptional care that supports not only the growth of each child but also the well-being of every family we serve.
At Tara's DayCamp, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, discover, imagine, and reach their fullest potential in a place they can proudly call their second home.
