How Do You Do It?

[jokalima]

Yesterday I got for the firs time 6 kids, I have done 5 before but 6 is completely different. For those of you that have big groups, what do you do to keep your day calm and easy , how do you offer activities with so many diff ages?

Thanks

[cheerfuldom]

I think you get better at it as you go along. When I first started, 3 was very challenging to me. Now I do 5 and 6 on a daily basis with no issues and could feel confident doing one or two more. My kids are 13 months to 4.5 years old. I dont feel over concerned about "offering an activity" at all times. They really have to learn quick to keep themselves busy because I dont entertain kids. I do focus a bit more on the babies, because they need more attention so the older the kids get, the more they are expected to select from the available options and follow the rules while playing.

[B Lou]

I find the more kids I have the easier it is for me. If I only have a few kids it seems they need to be entertained more, where as if I have more kids they can entertain each other.

Just give it a week and you'll be saying, Oh heck this isn't so hard.happyfacehappyface

[countrymom]

I find the more kids I have the easier it is for me. If I only have a few kids it seems they need to be entertained more, where as if I have more kids they can entertain each other.

Just give it a week and you'll be saying, Oh heck this isn't so hard.happyfacehappyface

I find this too.

[DaisyMamma]

It's not too bad if you have the right group. If you have some over the top kids who are loud and out of control it throws off the whole group. Sometimes you might not even know which kid it is until one day they are not there and everyone is calm as cucumbers
If you have SA kids forget it. They are loud. You have to keep them busy. I'm dealing with this starting today I have 2 SA and even though they are girls they are very full of energy. My morning was utter chaos and now it's naptime and they are not listening screaming and slamming doors
I'm going to have to work on some naptime activities for them. I'm very used to a calm morning with 4 kids under age 3 and complete silence for 3 hours in the afternoon for nap. these 2SA added on is certainly not ideal, nor is it worth the extra income, however, 1 is mine and the other one keeps her occupied. I'm wishing for summer's end already

So, basically I have no advice for you. I'm just feeling your pain. If you come up with some good ideas please share!

[itlw8]

routine.

as far as activites If I have morning nappers that is when I pull out the craft materials. I believe in open ended art not craft projects so I just get out some materials and supervise for safety. I may offer chubby paint brushes or spring open sissors if I have toddlers but everyone works at their level.

[justgettingstarted]

I am fairly new to daycare and have found that planning and preparation are absolutely essential to keeping my sanity. We keep a regular schedule and I have everything ready to go so we can move from one thing to another quickly and without me stressing. After breakfast we go right outside now that it's warm and we have so much to do they are content for a good two hours. Then I setup free play with lots of stations (cars, blocks, dolls, kitchen, trains, puzzles, etc) so they are kept busy while I make lunch, setup cots and feed my one young infant while playing referee occasionally. Clean up, lunch, and getting them down for naps is a little stressful but I don't think that can really be helped. The key is to work on getting everyone to take a decent nap so you get a break and can prepare for the afternoon. Plan a simple art project that everyone can participate in in some way and then free play until pick ups. If I prep everything the days fly by and we all stay pretty calm and stress-free.

[originalkat]

I have a group of 10 (including my own 7 and 5 yr olds). But I only take preschoolers. Right now they are all 3 and up. I help the kids learn the routines, how to be independent in play and activities. I don't over plan. In fact, I think kids need PLENTY of free play time so they learn how to cooperate, play independently, use their imagination etc... When kids first come to me they often don't know what to do with all their time. Within a few weeks they figure it out!

When you have multiple ages it requires a lot more planning!

[Kiki]

I find the more kids I have the easier it is for me. If I only have a few kids it seems they need to be entertained more, where as if I have more kids they can entertain each other.

Just give it a week and you'll be saying, Oh heck this isn't so hard.happyfacehappyface

When I first started, I only had one, and my own 3 DDs. I'm now up to 4 DCK, and my niece, on top of my 3 girls. The first few days I was pretty flustered, but now I think I'd be bored if I didn't have all of those kids here. ::

It really does get easier the more you do it, and it doesn't take long to get used to all of those kids at all.