Practical Stuff

[hoopinglady]

I'm so backwards.

I've spent the past two years of this business worrying about what's marketable..what kind of toys and centers to have, activities to provide, etc.

I'd neglected setting up a really solid caretaking foundation.

That is, (duh) if I'm going to do this long term the caretaking part should be really streamlined.

Sorry for the bulk of this but my question is, What are some tips that you can give and have learned over a period of time that make your days run a lot more smoothly?

Some ideas so far

Sleeping: I have a million blankets that get made into sleep mats. I bought some over priced roll up nap mats that are too thin to work alone so I supplement with blankets of my own. I end up with way too much laundry bulk. I need mats, linens and blankets, preferably kept here and individualized for each child (?)

Diapering: I change the babies on a mat on the floor and diapers are kept on a higher open shelf. I'd like to have a changing table with cabinets or drawers to keep everything tidier.

I don't really want infants until I have an assistant. Are table practical for toddlers??

I'd really like to turn the downstairs closet into a bathroom for the kids, our only toilet is upstairs and it just ****s. Not sure the cost involved.

Food: I've said it all along but the truth is, if I don't start pre making food, I should just close. It's too much stress to be in the kitchen so long when I could easily prepare and freeze some healthy soups, stews and casseroles.

Cleaning supplies: As my broom handle falls off again I think, "As much time as I spend cleaning I should have top of the line tools"

Quad stroller, I'd love to do a daily walk but I would need at least 3 or 4 seats for toddlers.




Also play yard(s) pack n plays for creating zones for toddlers learning to adjust.

[Blackcat31]

What are some tips that you can give and have learned over a period of time that make your days run a lot more smoothly?

These are things I could not live without during my day and make it run the smoothest.

Routine, routine routine. That is what makes my day run smoothest.

Also, tables and chair sets for toddlers are a MUST!! I have 2 different sets and all my toddlers would simply get up on the chair to sit, get down from the chair, push it in, get up on the chair to sit, get down, push it in, get up on the chair to sit......(you get the point).....they would do thi all day if I didn't have other activites.

I would also suggest a bookshelf with a ton of books. I use the books during transition times. Look at books while I prepare lunch, look at books while we run through bathroom breaks, look at books while everyone is finishing up the arts and crafts, look at books when we are cleaning up and getting ready to go home, look at books while everyone is arriving for the day. The kids simply LOVE books.

Rotate the toys. I never have everything out at once. I rearrange and rotate weekly. Keeps the environment stimulating and interesting.

Good cleaning tools are also a must as well as having supplies I use frequently handy. I have a really high cupboard that has ALL the things I use during the day and is kept fully stocked so I never run out.

A quad stroller would be awesome!! But I guess I am mean and make my toddlers walk.... We use a walking rope and only my two youngest get to use the double stroller I have. Both of them want to walk too but I don't think they are ready yet.

[SilverSabre25]

Hmm...streamlining things is definitely the way to go.

I recommend cots (check Discount School Supply) for sleeping, or the vinyl nap mats or something. The sheets are really optional and I make each child a personalized fleece blanket when they come into care (they get to take it when they leave). I have a separate napping room, but if I didn't, the cots stack to store.

Table and chairs are fine for toddlers. I really want a child-sized set for eating, but right now we use my own table in the kitchen and my kids (all over 2) just kneel to reach the table. Works for us. I have booster seats but hate 'em so they're put away right now.

If you can turn that closet into a bathroom, it would definitely be nice. You could maybe put a wall mount changing table in there too (maybe above the toilet?) and keep the diapering supplies in a cabinet or something in there. Add a sink and presto! You've got a nice pottying/changing area that you can close the door on.

I make daycare lunch the night before when I'm making family dinner so all I have to do is microwave stuff. Sometimes I cook certain (quick) things during lunch prep, but usually it's just popping 'em in the microwave. I also plan meals really carefully, right down to the side dishes, so I know exactly what I need to make.

[Heidi]

I got my Community Playthings Kindervan on Craigslist for $300. I had one 12 years ago when I left daycare, and missed it so much when I first came back!

[mismatchedsocks]

Love love love my quad, but now that my group is 2 1/2 its heavy to push, so they walk with walking rope and I only have 2 one year olds here at same time so I use double stroller now. Id recommend quad if the kids are under 2, and not all 50 pounds! Here is the one I found on craigslist brand new for $100. https://www.schooloutfitters.com/catalog/product_info/pfam_id/PFAM5433/products_id/PRO14265?sc_cid=GoogleFeed_FDT-40-NM-B0&adtype=pla&kw={keyword}

I have two preschool tables with adjustable legs. The kids can get on and off chairs on own, and that is where they eat, art, and table activities. Like this http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/...&Brand=&Price=

I dont have changing table, I have a wipeable changing table that I put on floor and its so much easier. The kids keep their diapers in cubbies and I grab at changing time. I have room for cubbies so I have some, and I love them. They look like this http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/...&Brand=&Price=

When I first started i used sleeping bags, since I could use them or cots and thought cots were expensive. Then I found ones like these and love them. Got cot sheets for them, and each child brings a fleece blanket to sleep with. http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/pr...oductId=153873

I do alot of cooking in bulk, or making more for dinner the night before and storing for lunch. Snacks are prepared while the kids are eating breakfast and lunch.

Routine is number one big thing. Get a nice routine down and try to stick to it, cleaning, prepping, etc.

[DCMom]

I got my Community Playthings Kindervan on Craigslist for $300. I had one 12 years ago when I left daycare, and missed it so much when I first came back!

LOVE that! I've never seen one before, it's the best of a stroller and a wagon. The quad stroller gets really heavy to push and I hate pulling the wagon; I guess if they want to go, they walk!

I have hanging mats from DSS for napping. Love those things. I've tried all manner of nap apparatus ~ roll-up, fabric sleeping bags, stacking cots, folding mats ~ none worked for me for various reasons. These I really like, they hang on the wall when not in use, the sheets tie on and I hang their blankets right with them so everything is all together.

I vote for the closet transformation into a bathroom, I don't know how I did it before I had a dedicated daycare bathroom. I have a Koala wall-mounted changing station and a cabinet in the bathroom that stores all diapering supplies. One stop changing ~ one of the best improvements I've made.

Kid sized table(s) and chairs are a MUST in my world ~ we use them for everything from free play to art to morning meeting.

Cooking. Uggh. I hate it. So when I do cook, I cook a lot and freeze it. If the freezer stock is running low, I cook extra at dinner for the next days lunch. Re-heat and you are good to go. I always have frozen/canned fruits and vegies on hand if I run low on fresh.

Cleaning supplies~definitely invest in good tools. I have bathroom supplies in the bathroom and kitchen/general ones in the kitchen. I have a daycare mop, broom, steam cleaner and vacuum cleaner. They have their own small closet in the dc area, so when I need to use it, it's at my finger tips. I store my daily cleaners and bleach solution in spray bottles with a roll of paper towels on (what should be) the microwave shelf on an upper cabinet. Kids can't reach and they are right at my finger tips.

Hang in there ~ it takes some time to figure out what works for you. I've done this for 22 years and I still change things up!