Do Any Of You Provide Child Care Without Providing A Pre-School Program?

[rhondawarren]

I am just curious as to whether any of you provide childcare but do not provide a pre-school program?

I provide Unlicensed In Home childcare and I do not currently have a "Pre-School Program" in place. I do however do activities with the children such as reading to them, letters, flashcards and things. I just do not have a pre-school program in place.

My three children attend an Online Public School and they do their schooling at home. Well my youngest this year is in Kindergarten. So I have taken the opportunity this year to do the things that his school required and done those things with the children. We read stories, work on letters and things like that. I done this with the children I provide childcare for while doing my own son's schoolwork.

I am wondering if a Pre-School Program is something I should have in place??

I dont want to create more responsibilities than I am able to handle and one of my main reasons for wanting to do a business from home was to be there for my children and their schoolwork. So I dont want to over do it.

The children in my care definately stay busy with fun activities, listening to stories, outdoor play and lots of fun educational things. I was just wondering if it was necessary to have a pre-school program in place?

Since I am an unlicensed provider I watch a very small group of children.

[Country Kids]

I do but......looking back over the years I probably should have done things differently even though it always worked out.

I homeschooled for 7 years and it was always a challenge doing the preschool and trying to have my own getting school work done during that time. I always felt torn between being there doing the childcare and then having to stop in the middle of something to help my own kids. Some days it was very tearful for me. Also, it was much easier K-2 grade and when they hit third we did an online school and thats when it became very hard for me personally.

So if not doing a "Preschool" is working just do it the way you are. Remember this is your business and you make it what you want.

If you have any questions feel free to pm me and I'll answer them the best I can.

[MarinaVanessa]

I don't do it and to be honest I tried but I didn't like doing it. I prefer the developmental approach vs the scholastic approach and I'd rather the kids learn to socialize and learn the basics through playing. Maybe once I finish taking my child development courses and do the curriculum courses I'll feel like I know what Im doing and I'll give it another shot ::. I just feel like it's a lot of work when most of my DC kids are under 3yrs kwim?

[rhondawarren]

I do but......looking back over the years I probably should have done things differently even though it always worked out.

I homeschooled for 7 years and it was always a challenge doing the preschool and trying to have my own getting school work done during that time. I always felt torn between being there doing the childcare and then having to stop in the middle of something to help my own kids. Some days it was very tearful for me. Also, it was much easier K-2 grade and when they hit third we did an online school and thats when it became very hard for me personally.

So if not doing a "Preschool" is working just do it the way you are. Remember this is your business and you make it what you want.

If you have any questions feel free to pm me and I'll answer them the best I can.

My children have always attended traditional public school. So this was our first year doing any type of homeschooling at all. They attend INCA. My youngest is in kindergarten, he is learning to read and all of that fun stuff. So for me ... trying to make sure I give him what he needs for his school and then creating a whole pre-school program for the dck's and then helping my two oldest with their school work whom are in 4th and 6th right now its a task

So .... thats my big concern with creating more on myself. We have a very fun-filled day even without a preschool program. I am very active with the kids when they are here, I read them stories, we play, dance, listen to kids music like ABC songs, flashcards and more. Its just not in a set program.

I wasnt sure if everyone offers a pre-school program now with their childcare or if some didnt.

[AmyLeigh]

My children are in an online school also. My son is in K this year using K12 curriculum. Are you using this too? My plan is to go independent next year. Love the curriculum, the virtual school...not so much. But that's a whole 'nother subject.
I don't do a formal pre-K curriculum. We read ds's LA assignments together during lunch, so all the dck's get to listen to the stories too. We discuss science when we are outside. We are outside a lot. Ds's science is almost all done for this year. happyface
The biggest reason is because I don't believe children need a formal preschool curriculum to learn. My 2 yo dcg is already counting. My 3 yo dd is already learning phonics. Dcb 4 yo just started writing his name. Dcb 5 yo is more than ready academically for Kindy next year. I have available to them pre-K worksheets, time4learning subscription at K level, and a ton of books, K12 supplies, etc. If they want to do them, they are more than welcome to. It makes me laugh when I remind my children to start their school work and the dcks ask if they can do school too.

[Blackcat31]

I don't do it and to be honest I tried but I didn't like doing it. I prefer the developmental approach vs the scholastic approach and I'd rather the kids learn to socialize and learn the basics through playing. Maybe once I finish taking my child development courses and do the curriculum courses I'll feel like I know what Im doing and I'll give it another shot ::. I just feel like it's a lot of work when most of my DC kids are under 3yrs kwim?

I agree with this....and I did go back to school and get my education. I find that the children I care for are all under Kindy age and really need developmentally appropriate activites that help them learn self-help skills and independence vs academic skills.

The reading, writing and all the 1,2,3's and A,B,C's come naturally if the environment is supportive of their natural development. I will leave the actual teaching to the teachers in public school and will instead focus on manners, emotional maturity, self help, taking turns, sharing and how to use silverware and cups without lids instead.

[rhondawarren]

My children are in an online school also. My son is in K this year using K12 curriculum. Are you using this too? My plan is to go independent next year. Love the curriculum, the virtual school...not so much. But that's a whole 'nother subject.
I don't do a formal pre-K curriculum. We read ds's LA assignments together during lunch, so all the dck's get to listen to the stories too. We discuss science when we are outside. We are outside a lot. Ds's science is almost all done for this year. happyface
The biggest reason is because I don't believe children need a formal preschool curriculum to learn. My 2 yo dcg is already counting. My 3 yo dd is already learning phonics. Dcb 4 yo just started writing his name. Dcb 5 yo is more than ready academically for Kindy next year. I have available to them pre-K worksheets, time4learning subscription at K level, and a ton of books, K12 supplies, etc. If they want to do them, they are more than welcome to. It makes me laugh when I remind my children to start their school work and the dcks ask if they can do school too.

Hi Amy,

My children are attending Indiana Connections Academy which is an online public school. Maybe you should check them out?? I really love the school. The teaching kindergarten myself was a little different for sure But ... the school is very supportive and helpful.

[Country Kids]

Hi Amy,

My children are attending Indiana Connections Academy which is an online public school. Maybe you should check them out?? I really love the school. The teaching kindergarten myself was a little different for sure But ... the school is very supportive and helpful.

We did Connections Academy-loved our teacher we had that year! It was alot of work though with doing childcare also. Do not want to discourage you! I just wish I could have done it and not have been working.

[rhondawarren]

I agree with this....and I did go back to school and get my education. I find that the children I care for are all under Kindy age and really need developmentally appropriate activites that help them learn self-help skills and independence vs academic skills.

The reading, writing and all the 1,2,3's and A,B,C's come naturally if the environment is supportive of their natural development. I will leave the actual teaching to the teachers in public school and will instead focus on manners, emotional maturity, self help, taking turns, sharing and how to use silverware and cups without lids instead.

These are all important things to learn too

My children didnt attend pre-school because I felt kindergarten was early enough for them to go to school. Of course my children never stayed with a sitter either though. THey always stayed with my sister or mom.

We definately work on all that you said! As well as some learning too like ABC's, colors, shapes and other fun stuff like that. Just not in a "planned out program".

[rhondawarren]

We did Connections Academy-loved our teacher we had that year! It was alot of work though with doing childcare also. Do not want to discourage you! I just wish I could have done it and not have been working.

Girl your not going to discourage me .... I already know . Ive done it this entire school year. So believe me I totally hear you there. But ... its gotten easier. It was really tough in the beginning in fact ... I decided to only care for one child while I was helping my kids adjust to their schooling. When we bought this house and moved here in Feb I decided that they were pretty well adjusted to school and I now could take on more children. Especially since we have a much larger home now.

[AmyLeigh]

Hi Amy,

My children are attending Indiana Connections Academy which is an online public school. Maybe you should check them out?? I really love the school. The teaching kindergarten myself was a little different for sure But ... the school is very supportive and helpful.

Thank you for the suggestion. There is a Connections Academy here, too. We have been using California Virtual Academy for four years now. For the most part it has been a positive experience. Between us growing as a home educating family (literally and figuratively) and the school being forced to change due to State regulations....it just makes sense for us to go our own way. I'm really excited about it.

[rhondawarren]

Thank you for the suggestion. There is a Connections Academy here, too. We have been using California Virtual Academy for four years now. For the most part it has been a positive experience. Between us growing as a home educating family (literally and figuratively) and the school being forced to change due to State regulations....it just makes sense for us to go our own way. I'm really excited about it.

Thats wonderful. I wish you the best of luck!!

[sahm2three]

I do not provide a preschool program. I am NOT a teacher. I am a replacement for mommy and daddy while they are working. This is not to say that we don't "teach". I try to use every moment I can to teach them something. ABC's, counting, colors, etc. We also focus on life skills, taking turns, sharing, interacting with others, washing hands, covering our mouths when we cough or sneeze and on and on. They have ALL the rest of their lives to go to school. They have a very very short bit of time to be kids! I try to embrace that!

[cheerfuldom]

I dont provide a preschool program because I feel that that is something that would just add stress to my life. Once you offer a program, there can be issues with parents as the critique and comment on what you do and do not include, what their kid does and does not know, what you should and should not be doing.

Right now, I do the basic ABCs 123s type activities but all the parents know, I don't force kids to participate. They may pick up on learning here, they may not. I refuse to have a formal curriculum and dont make any guarantees as far as goals or timelines. We learn as we play. My own 4 year old is quickly learning everything I offer her but none of the daycare kids retain much at all. My own 2 year old is "getting" some of it but my daycare 2 year old is still very babyish, unclear speech, little retention on this type of thing and so we work at their pace and if mom wants a preschool, she will have to go elsewhere.

[rhondawarren]

I do not provide a preschool program. I am NOT a teacher. I am a replacement for mommy and daddy while they are working. This is not to say that we don't "teach". I try to use every moment I can to teach them something. ABC's, counting, colors, etc. We also focus on life skills, taking turns, sharing, interacting with others, washing hands, covering our mouths when we cough or sneeze and on and on. They have ALL the rest of their lives to go to school. They have a very very short bit of time to be kids! I try to embrace that!

Wow!!! You sound just like me!!!
Thats what Ive always thought. But I wondered if I needed to offer a pre-school program in order to be competitive in Child Care so to speak. None of the parents that Ive had so far have even questioned what I do with the children or even asked about a pre-school program. I know they realize I do things with the children. In fact the one that has been coming to me for a year, his parents tell me all of the time just how much he has learned since he started coming here That makes me feel good and thats without a pre-school program in place.