Making My List And Checking It Twice

[themoorethemerrier]

I designated at least $2000 of the coming loan to "supplies". I could easily blow it on all the marvelous things in the catalogs, but I'd rather start off with things that are usually the most valuable to a start-up home day care.

If you could, not including renovations, what would you spend it on?

[daycare]

proper child size table and chairs

good quality shelves for storage along with the storage boxes

Large area rug for circle time and for under tables when doing activities

let me back up...what ages will you provide care for??

[dEHmom]

monitors
safety latches/locks
fire extinguishers if you don't already have

baby gate(s)
if I had the room to, I would get those bean bag chairs
bedding/beds/cots

[themoorethemerrier]

let me back up...what ages will you provide care for??

Ages 3 to 12.

[SilverSabre25]

proper child size table and chairs

good quality shelves for storage along with the storage boxes

Large area rug for circle time and for under tables when doing activities

let me back up...what ages will you provide care for??

all of those, plus

fantastic selection of art supplies
Good-sized collections of things such as wood blocks, Duplo Legos, etc
Good outdoor toys (Look at a Step 2 Roller Coaster if you can--invaluable!)

[meganlavonnesmommy]

Outdoor play equipment, a good sturdy sensory bin table, lego blocks (my schoolagers will play for HOURS with legos), depending on the space you have, room dividers, ditto on the shelves and storage, large colorful area rug, cubby units (the kind similar to open lockers) where each child has a place to put their coat, backpack, shoes and a shelf above to keep their things.

[daycare]

ditto her list

I would really spend the money on good quality gates if you will need to gate off areas

I would love to have a pin pad door system installed. Basically you set it to the time the parent is contracted to come and they are only allowed to come in and out at those times with access of a pin...

I would also get good sleeping mats and storage for the mats

to add to the toy list I would get
board games for older
play dough
water/ sand/ sensory table/box
cant forget about MMK, to me this is a MUST HAVE

[themoorethemerrier]

I'm checking out the MMK.

I have the gates, extinguishers, cots, safety things.

Now I'm thinking about programs, books, and supplies for older children.

Keep the ideas coming ladies - I'm writing this down!!!

[DaycareMama]

If your doing a "mail order curriculum" you could pre pay for a year.

I love contact paper. Exspensive and use it for everything i need laminated.

If you live by an IKEA you can get great cubbies (toy shelves) for a fraction of the price. I believe its the Expedit (?) series. They are soo wonderful.

A good set of daycare dishes, cups, bowls ect.. That are all the same so they stack nice and easy for you

I bought a ton of baby wash clothes that I keep in wipes containers for quick hand washing. Reusable

These are the "little" things I can't go without.

Big things...

Discovery table big enough for atleast 4 kids at a time. Or I use like individual bus boxes for kids. Each have their own

A nice dramatic play kitchen

Gosh I can go on for ever! :: I would love to shop daycare stuff! Have fun!!

[Mrs. CC]

I keep dreaming of a grant so I too can do a huge improvement. Currently I am working on a 5 year plan, so thank you all for your suggestions and ideas. I am making my list and checking it twice!

[dave4him]

child proffing and learning toys... play table and some new chairs