Need Help With Toddler Room Schedule

[toddler care]

Hi! I Googled "daycare forum" and landed here. The reason for my search is because I have started a job at a daycare center in the toddler room AGE 18 months to 2 years old, and I need to figure out a good generalized schedule for a group of this age range. This is a small church daycare and in my coming into this class, there is no indication that there was a structured "schedule" or a guideline for these childrens' day. The director says she might have something that she used a long time ago, but i do not know when she will be able to get back with me on that, and if you have worked in a group this age you understand that I need to structure it NOW before I lose all authority with these children. I have been in a daycare center before where I saw each classroom had on the classroom wall a schedule of the structure for the day. For example: 8:00 breakfast, 8:30 circle time, 930 potty time, 10:00 crafts...etc.

The purpose for my visit here is to ask what is a good generalized structure for a group of this age AND what categories of sessions need to go on this schedule (i.e.: craft time/ etc) keep in mind there is no tv in this class room and i do not want to ask for one, because i do not want one). anyone please tell me what your toddlers schedule at daycare is. I am hoping to get an answer tonight so i can implement it tomorrow.

i will tell you so the structure so far is (my times might be off a bit)
800 breakfast
830 potty time
1015 potty time
1030 lunch
1100-200 naptime
200 snack
230 potty time

what i need specifically is what kinds of "times" i should fill in those gaps so as to give them good transitions (and so as to keep my sanity

any generalizations or specifics are welcome very much.

thank you SO much for taking the time to read my request and to offer support.

[Former Teacher]

Welcome aboard!

Here in TX you are required to have a schedule as well as an activity plan posted. Here is what I did for the toddler teacher. I also used this for my pre-k kiddos but with a few changes

6:30-8:30 Arrival
8:30-9:00 Snack
9:00-9:15 Circle Time
9:15-10:30 Class Time/Free play/Outside time
10:30-10:45 Clean up
10:45-11:00 Story time/washing up for lunch
11:00-11:30 Lunch
11:30-12:15 Free play/Movie
12:15-12:30 Getting ready for nap
12:30-2:30 Naptime
2:30-3:00 Wake up
3:00-3:30 Snack
3:30-5:30 Free Play/Outside
5:30 Movie/ Departure

I don't recommend you putting in pottying and diaper changing times. You will get some moron of a parent or an idiot of a state rep that will think that's the ONLY time the children are changed and/or going to the bathroom. Trust me, it has happened to me MANY times! ::

[JenNJ]

My schedule is as follows:
7:30 - 8:30 - arrival time/free play
8:30 - 8:40 - clean up
8:40 - 9 - circle time
9 - 9:30 - craft/ guided activity
9:30 - 9:45 - snack w/story
9:45 - 11:15 - outside time or free play
11:15 - 11:30 - clean up
11:30 - 11:45 - wash up/diaper changes/potty
11:45 - 12 - music/dancing/book on cd while I prep lunch
12 - 12:30 - lunch
12:30 - 3:00 - nap
3 - 3:15 - potty/diapers
3:15 - 3:30 - snack
3:30 - 3:45 - 2nd circle time
3:45 - 5:30 - outside/free play while children are being picked up

[Michael]

Lots more here: https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14789

[Unregistered]

Here is what I do everyday

7:30-8:00am- Kids arrive
8:00am-8:30am- breakfast
8:30am-9:00am- clean up, diaper changes, potty time
9:00am-10:00am- learning time, art project, circle time
10:00am-11:00am- freeplay in or outside
11:00am-11:30am- clean up, diaper changes, potty time
11:30am-12:00pm- lunch
12:00pm-2:00pm- Naptime
2:00pm-2:30pm- clean up, diaper changes, potty time
2:30pm-3:00pm- snack time
3:00pm-5:00pm- free play in or outside
5:00pm-5:30pm- clean up, diaper changes, potty time
5:30pm- dismassil

[Unregistered]

11-2 is a very long nap time IMO

How about exercise/ dance time
story time
alpahabet time
number time/ counting time
weather time
etc.

[Unregistered]

Mother Goose Time for toddlers

Try Mother Goose Time Curriculum www.mothergoosetime.com It is a monthly curriculum kit that give you everything you need to do art (supplies included), reading (books included), games, music (CD included) and enrichment for ages 9 month - 5 years. It has been a life saver for us. It includes a recommended agenda/routine for the day musch like what I've seen posted here - but then it gives you 6-7 specific activity ideas for each day that you could do plus the materials needed to do them. I also love that every day they give little songs or transition ideas to use as we move from activity to snack time or from outdoor play to indoor nap. It has really helped our program run more smoothly, parents love it and best of all my kids get so excited from it.

[MomInAz]

I was in charge of my church daycare for just over 2 years, and the ages were similar to yours. Things we did were:

Music Time. There are several songs out there that also have actions to go with the songs which the young kids think is a BLAST if you direct them. The girls love to swirl in their dresses! I also suggest using an Ipod with a small player, so that you can pause, rewind..whatever.

Reading Time (We gave each child their own 2X2 blanket to sit on in a semicircle, to sit on to avoid everyone trying to sit right in front while the reader sat in a chair) also we had 2 bins available of "lookie" books for the kids that got bored with the story being read.)

Activity Time (Small things like lace up boards, crayons and paper, etc)

Felt Story Boards - There are a multitude of stories available on ebay just search "felt stories". You would be surprised how GLUED these young kids are to a felt story!

Snack Time (we were only allowed to use non-fried cracker type snacks - some good ideas are: graham crackers, fig newtons, pretzels, animal crackers, goldfish, Vanilla Wafers)

Then we would do open playtime. Some suggestions for toys that these little ones love:
Styrofoam Blocks
Cars
Play phones (my kids always fought for the play phones)
pop ups (where you push a button and a head or animal pops up)

And then to keep them occupied in the last few minutes waiting for parents: A BUBBLE machine!! They would get so engrossed chasing bubbles around, they sometimes didn't even notice their parents had come for them! haha

HTH!