All The Advice I Can Get!

[jhoward9]

Hi everyone! I will be opening my doors as a home daycare provider in September. So I am looking for any do's and dont's that you guys have to offer! I already have a daycare contract and handbook ready to go, so now Im just looking for some experienced people in the business to offer my advice, such as, what toys and products are must haves and which ones are wastes of money and space. The children who will be in my care will be 14 months, 2 years and 13 months. Any advice you can offer about anything will be appreciated!! Thank you!

[saved4always]

I watch a 22 month old and two 2 yo's. The toys they play with the most are:

Little Tykes kitchen
plastic dishes and food for the kitchen
Little People figures and vehicles (they love pushing around the fire engine, school bus, police care and dump truck)
Little Tykes shopping cart (they love to fill it with toys and pushing it)
lots and lots of books
Dolls (one little girls loves to play baby)
child size table and chairs (needed to serve all that yummy plastic food)
play doh
crayons and coloring books/paper
Legos (not the tiny ones or the very large ones...the in between size...I think they are for ages 2 to 5)
Wooden train tracks and Thomas trains (no table needed...I got rid of the train table because the kids used it to stand on, not play trains)
For outside: Ride on toys, slide and swings are favorites; also needed double stroller and wagon for walks

I have some other toys but these are what seems to get played with the most. I also have pack and plays for naps for little ones. I use booster seat with trays for lunch, can use with no tray at table so they can reach.

Hope this helps.

[jhoward9]

Thanks so much! Any and all advice is appreciated!

[CheekyChick]

1. KITCHEN IS #1!!! Everyone loves it from 12 month and up.
2. Books. You can NEVER have enough books.
3. I wouldn't spend a lot on toys with pieces (doll house, farm, etc.) The pieces get lost and this will only frustrate you.
4. Musical instruments. The kids LOVE them and I hate them. LOL!!!

Good luck. You will do GREAT!!!