Meet the Staff
Brown Family
In 2016, when we opened as a Registered In Home Family Child Care, we had a 1 year old and were expecting our second child. Vanessa always had a dream of running her own child care and having the privilege to stay home with her children. Her dream has grown and expanded into present day Little Swans Child Care. While their family grew by one more child in 2019, so did the child care program. In 2018, we expanded our program and became a Certified In Home Family Child Care accepting 16 children from our community into our home and hearts.
Vanessa has decided to make a career out of being a child care provider. She strives to operate a structured family centered program with the children's best interest at heart. She has dedicated herself to creating a learning environment that children thrive and are challenged in. She is always working to improve the program while preparing children for public school or homeschool.
Vanessa Brown
Owner/Provider
Vanessa has 20+ years of professional experience with children but has always been the caretaker/mothering figure even before professional caretaking.
At a young age, Vanessa started as a mom's helper to her neighbor, her job was to play with their little so that mom could perform normal housekeeping tasks without interruption. From this job, Vanessa began watching neighborhood children and friends children more frequently. All through High School Vanessa babysat and had an extensive list of families that she worked for regularly.
In college, Vanessa became a nanny. She was a live-in nanny as well as a non-live-in nanny.
Vanessa has worked as a paraprofessional for the Butte Valley School District and Klamath Falls City School District.
When Vanessa welcomed her first child, it was VERY important to Vanessa to spend her time with her children helping them grow, learn, and develop the skills needed to be successful in life. At this point, Vanessa and her ex-husband began working to buy a home in town that would make owning and running an in-home child care easier. In November of 2016, Vanessa opened her dream in-home child care. Adding 2 more children to the family and the business evolving to what it is today has been a fun learning process, growth process and experience for Vanessa.
Vanessa is continuing her education and working on completing her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Vanessa graduated in March 2024 from Klamath Community College with the goal of transferring to Southern Oregon University or Eastern Oregon University in Fall 2024. Vanessa is also always seeking continuing education through community trainers, she was recently awarded a Step 9 in the Child Care Oregon Registry Online.
When Vanessa is not doing child care she can be found running her 3 children to various activities, taking them on adventures, and spending time outdoors with them. For an escape, Vanessa can often be found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
Michele Gilmore
Substitue Assistant II
I love spending my day with children of all ages.
I started babysitting, when I was 9 years old with my 3 sisters. As I grew up, child care became important to me. I started my family in 1987 to 2001 and am a mom of 3 boys.
I started being a Licensed Child Care Provider in 1990 and continued to work as a Child Care Provider, Teacher, and a Nanny. I also managed a Before and After School Program in Chandler, Arizona for 120 Students.
Providing Creative Arts for all ages of children (even infants) is something that I love to do.
I am looking forward to meeting all of and meeting your children.
Aviva Kleiner Christian
Full-Time Assistant II/ Substitute Provider
I am a mother of three and a Registered Behavioral Technician with a specialization in Advanced Behavioral Analytics, and a Peer ASD Mentor.
My career officially started in 2023 following my retirement from the United States Air Force. I am transitioning to Little Swans Child Care from the Advanced Autism Center for Treatment- Arizona, where I provided ABA, Respite and Habilitation services for families throughout the Phoenix valley.
Despite holding advanced degrees in Culinary Arts, I am currently completing coursework through Oregon State University to achieve my Master of Social Work following gaining BCBA certification in August 2023.
My passion derives from a lack of support throughout my formative years, and an inherent core value of kindness.
I am so excited to be included in the family at Little Swans Child Care, and look forward to learning and supporting the little ones and their families in the Klamath Falls area.
“The way positive reinforcement is carried out is more important than the amount” – B.F. Skinner