Who Doesn't Use a Cirriculum?

[DCMom]

Oh, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean any offense about the boxed curriculums....and I agree that they can be turned in to DAP curriculums, so long as they aren't used just to get a cutesy little end result to give to the parents. I LOVE that you point out that you make it about the process, not the product.

My main point was that, for those who don't feel like they are using a curriculum because they don't buy the boxed curriculums, that they really are implementing a curriculum, they're just doing it without spendning the extra money, and they are practicing DAP....I hope that makes sense! :confused:

Oh my, no offense taken~I like that you brought up DAP. Curriculum or no curriculum, adults often forget that a child's 'job' is just to play (and learn in the process).

[legomom922]

I do not use any planning either. I also tell parents I am not a preschool teacher., that they can consider me more of a nurturing Aunt, and I include the kids in MY everyday life & activities, including grocery shopping, cleaning, & cooking. They seem to like that more. Of course they learn through everyday life activities. You would be suprised how much they learn by these things. You can count forks just as easily as counting other objects. In fact, I have one parent who choose me just for this very reason! If they are looking for a preschool program, I direct them to someone else. No offense to anyone who does a preschool program, it's just not for me.

[melissa ann]

I don't do a "boxed" curriculum. We would do projects (so the parents think they are doing "something" and not nothing) that would go with the seasons, holiday or letters,numbers etc. But it was just whatever I felt (or the kids) felt like doing. My daughter went to preschool last year (really just to get her away from me and for her to have other adults in her life she must listen to) Anyway, I had all of her papers, monthly newsletter, crafts etc that listed what each preschool day was going to be like. So, this year, I'm planning out my days just 3 days/week on preschool stuff. I'm taking some of my daughter's preschool things and a few books on special holidays etc and build off that. This way I know what things I will need to buy for an activity instead of saying we are going to do this, but then can't because I didnt' have all of the supplies.

[countrymom]

I'm like the above poster who buys it for herself. I also buy it because its easier to do than to sit and think of things (I have 4 kids of my own) its a challage just to get all my stuff done, my own childrens stuff done and then to do a cirriculum. I would love to use my dd's stuff from jk and kindy (or as some know it as preschool and kindy) but they barely do art, they did a letter book, and played most of the time so I have nothing I can use. I sometimes use workbooks but after a while I find they get boring so I need ideas.

[Lucy]

I totally agree with the idea of learning as you live. I really take EVERY opportunity during the day to teach something. Maybe it's just coincidence, but the majority of the kids who have grown up at my daycare have been above-average students.

However, with money an issue as it kind of is now, I did just advertise for pre-schoolers from 9am to 2pm and said that if I get enough enrollment, I would start a curriculum.

Don't get me wrong - those purchased curriculums are fantastic and do have value, as do curriculums you develop yourself. I'm not against a structured curriculum in any way. But I do feel they can learn just as well without one. But if it brings in the business, I'm going to go for it. I'm low right now on middle of the day kids anyway. Once the kids go back to school, I will only have a 2-yr old unless someone answers my ad.

[laundryduchess@yahoo.com]

I do early start, I dont use all of it and do suppliment it with my own things, but I do it for me. . I find it keeps me on task more and moving with the program. I am working on accreditation and one of the requirements is a written curriculum. However,.. I am determined to keep my home environment just that,.. a home. not a center. And that is what is taking so long for me to tweak.

[professionalmom]

This topic is quite interesting considering I was just in mediation with a former client this past week and she brought "curriculum" up as a way to try to bash me and tell the mediator what a horrible daycare provider I was. Her claim was that I told her "curriculum? You bring your kids here to play and for me to watch. I don't have a curriculum."

Now that is NOTHING like what I told her. I told her exactly what the rest of you are saying - learning through play, just not a pre-packaged "curriculum". I told her that basically when you are talking about a 6 month old, the "curriculum" consists of things like learning to sit and crawl, exploring the different tastes of different purees, etc. When you're talking a 1 1/2 year old, we are practicing our speech, learning animals, animal sounds, body parts (eyes, ears, tummy, etc.), how to share, how to use eating utensils, etc. When we are talking about a 3 year old, I start to teach them how to hold a crayon, pen, or pencil and write their letters and numbers, etc. The list goes on and on. But I guess I should have used the term "DAP" so that it would come across as more "educational" or "approved" by experts.

I just found it interesting that since I had a laid-back, but very fun and educational atmosphere, she used that to try to discredit my professionalism and assassinate my character. So, I'm beginning to think it was risky to NOT have the "boxed" "curriculum". Funny though that "curriculum" would be an issue for someone who is receiving state assistance and STILL got so far behind (by not reporting her hours to the state) in payments and is trying to weasel out of paying me. Talk about wanting something for nothing. But that's how some people are.

[Unregistered]

We dont do pre school either I use to when I had a a bigger daycare now I have a small daycare I read to my babies, color, take walks, play, etc I am not a teacher I am daycare provider.