Your Thoughts, Please

**daycare** · 08-24-2012, 01:27 PM

It's probably another provider hating in you.
Shame on that person that was so rude

Don't take it personal. Your space looks fun safe and inviting

I would just leave it alone and don't let it big you.

**DCMama** · 08-24-2012, 01:28 PM

wow either this person sound like a first class hater doesn't she/he? I would just ignore them. But I think I would search the email to see who this person is just for laugh

**nanglgrl** · 08-24-2012, 02:01 PM

I'm not trying to be the bad guy here. Please don't be upset.
The equipment does look dated and a fresh coat of paint would do wonders. If the chest of drawers is attached to the wall there should be no problem that a coat of paint couldn't fix. That said it looks like you make an effort to have things for the kids to do, to have it nicely organized and it did not look dirty to me. Also, the poster was rude and if they didn't like your daycare they could of just kept it to themselves, they must not be big on "say nothing unless you have something good to say". The only reason I'm responding is because you asked.
I should add that I'm a picky person. I spend a lot of money on my daycare making it bright and welcoming and buying the best equipment. Daycare is a lucrative business in my town and I make better money than I would teaching. I feel that every year I'm doing more and more to make my daycare the one people use. Daycare is not like this everywhere and may not be like that where you live.
I just looked at a daycare for a woman a town over from mine because she wanted my input on her setup. I wasn't impressed and wouldn't send my kids there but in her town making money is harder and her house is probably a lot nicer than the houses the kids come from.
Again, at least you are trying. I didn't see a TV so you don't sit them in front of that all day, it didn't look dirty, you have things for the kids to do and truthfully kids don't really care about old equipment or paint colors, that's all for the parents. Kids are happy with sticks, mud and cardboard boxes and could care less if you have lockers for them or a walk up changing table.
Ug, I hope I did not upset you or anyone else.

**DayCareDynasty** · 08-24-2012, 02:14 PM

Hi Melissa Ann! Wondering if you could spruce up the dresser drawer to make it blend with the child care setting. I suggest this because my husband just took a dresser drawer that look similar to yours and repainted it with his team colors (Raiders) I would suggest primary colors for the dresser, parents love those colors!

You may or may not need to sand the dresser, to remove the old paint after that you prime it with gray primer and buy primary color spray paint. If you are up to it... I think it will add a nice pop of color to the setting.

**Sugar Magnolia** · 08-24-2012, 04:03 PM

That was astonishingly rude! So sorry that happened to you. I do think you could use some paint, but it does not look bad. Certainly not bad enough to warrant that awful email.

**melissa ann** · 08-24-2012, 05:20 PM

Right now, I don't have the extra money to buy paint to spruce it up. I'll have to see if we have anything around the house.
When I did childcare (4 yrs until this past march) I was always full, families stayed until their kid went to school. When I did have an opening, I always filled it up in 2 weeks. No body seemed to be bother by my things. They just appreciated that there was no tv, we did crafts, and their kids looked forward to coming to my house.

I know some of my things may look dated, but I've had things get broken on purpose or colored on that I can't see spending money on new things for kids to ruin. My one room has crayon marks on it that no matter how many times I tried to paint over it, it still shows through.

BTW, from what I could find out, the email comes from Vermont, I'm in PA.

**Crazy8** · 08-24-2012, 05:46 PM

That was a very mean, rude, uncalled for email.

But, because you are asking us for honesty, I will say that it does look dated with the old metal furniture, and the paint chipping, dresser drawers open/crooked, etc. does not give off the best first impression. I totally agree there is more to a wonderful daycare than those things, but when you are giving off a first impression in an ad you want it to be the best it can be.

I have done daycare in my home for 11 years - I know the wear and tear it can have on the home but I think if you are going to post photos of your space they should look inviting and seeing runners on top of the dresser, with a little lamp, cords hanging near the table, etc. are all safety concerns that I would have as a parent looking for childcare.

**melissa ann** · 08-25-2012, 05:03 AM

I will remove the lamp on the dresser and runner. And look into sprucing up the dresser. Remember though, that I'm not looking into doing full time childcare. I'm interested in doing preschool for 2 1/2 hrs per day. The dresser holds the curirciulum and art/craft supplies. My house is old, and from floor to ceiling it's 11 ft with no lights on the ceiling. So we have to use floor or table lights. The little metal table and chairs are old. It was given to me when I was 1 yr old. (I'm now 39) but I did repaint that last summer after some of the people here suggested it. I just can't see not using it and buying something new when there is really nothing wrong with it. It's just outdated. Growing up we didn't have a lot of money and unless something was broken we didn't replace it.
Don't misunderstand me, I'm not upset over the comments. I"m just explaining why I have done certain things. I could replace the metal table with a little tykes plastic picnic table type if that would be better.

**HaveaHoot** · 08-25-2012, 06:07 AM

Maybe just remove the picture of the desser from your ad. It may look fine in real life or not even be noticed by parents but the ad draws attention to it. The other pictures look fine.

**itlw8** · 08-25-2012, 06:18 AM

I think w all should look at our place in pictures you can see more.

no it does not look dirty.. but yes the door frames at kid height looks like they run their hands there it is either worn or has hand prints. now everyone go look I bet we will all find the same thing.

the large shelf could use some staging. It is a focal point in the picture but all I see is boy I hope that is anchored. I would like to see some bins of manipulatives or somthing in their reach.

As a provider I think that pink thing is full of dress up clothes because of the hats and mirror... take it out of the picture it looks like laundry.

I like your table and the old stuff is sturdy. If the crafts are a selling point then show some displayed on the wall

as far as the dresser I agree it looks like it serves no purpose maybe labels like paper, craft supplies and some bright colors.

pictures are funny what looks good in person comes out different in pictures.

**melissa ann** · 08-25-2012, 01:09 PM

new photos

This is what I came up with now.

Attached Files

**SunnyDay** · 08-25-2012, 01:28 PM

That was a rude e-mail, I wonder why they felt the need to respond?

Because you asked, I do agree that a coat of paint would be a good idea. Your white trim does have dirty fingerprints on it. If you don't have time to paint, I would at least use a "magic eraser" to remove any dirt or marks and get any extra tape off the walls.

A couple of cheerful children's rugs could also help a lot.

I would consider getting rid of all of the tables & chairs. They do look dated and the Little Tykes set looks dirty. There's nothing wrong with circle/play time on the floor.

The $ store should have some containers for your different toys (music, science, etc.) and then you can label the bins for a neater look.

Good luck!!

**EchoMom** · 08-25-2012, 01:29 PM

First, the email was very rude. They either wanted to be hurtful, or if they were really trying to give you helpful feedback, it was tactless.

Second, sorry to be mean but you asked for feedback, and I do agree, your CL ad pics don't look appealing to me. However, your new set of pics look 100 times better!!! Good job!!!

However, if you are looking for further feedback, I would say you can keep working on it and do even better I think!

Pic 1. straighten up the papers in the colored bins. I would move the posters down lower on the wall so they are the children's eye level. Personally I have all wooden toys in my daycare and keep it extremely clutter free in my home, but this is personal preference.

Pic 2. This is probably your best photo, it looks bright. However, the hand written oragne construction paper doesn't appeal to me hanging off, and your shelves look empty. If you are able to, you would look better with some colorful cloth bins from Target. To me, it doesn't look in the pics like you have much stuff to offer and it's not presented in an inviting way.

Pic 3 looks nice, but it looks like you colored them all not like it's kids work, and maybe the picture could be lighted better so it's brighter

Pic 4 is a real turnoff for me with the radiator right next to the children's work space. One of the spindles looks crooked. The magazines and knick knacs don't need to be in the pic.

Sorry if this is harsh, I truly don't mean to be hurtful, but helpful. And I totally agree with NanglGrl.

**Loveyoustinkyface** · 08-25-2012, 01:34 PM

Do you have FREECYCLE (yahoo group) in your area? You could try to get some paint through Freecycle and any other things you may need for the start-up of your Pre-K class. For a while I used a coffee table as my kiddie work area, the chairs did not match but the kids didn't mind.

As for offering Pre-K, I would recommend using more visuals, (flashcards, posters or painted stencils) on the walls with the alphabet, colors, numbers, and shapes.

If you do have a Freecycle in your area, put a "wanted" post and see what is offered to you! It's all free, you just have to drive to pick it up!

Your Thoughts, Please

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