Starting Out

[Giggles and Goo's]

Just wondering what you started out with when you started. Did you go out and purchase everything you needed or did you just start with what you had and build from there?

[MNMum]

I went to a lot of garage sales and bought stuff off craigslist.

[allsmiles]

i just obtained the basics first, few toys, arts and crafts, decorations..
and then built up from there.. craigslist was and is my best friend LOL

[rmc20021]

I started out with nothing before getting licensed so I had to get EVERYTHING. Other than art/craft items though, I have not bought a single thing new. Everything has come from thrift stores, Goodwill, yard sales and donations. I have so much stuff I have to rotate it. I did not open with this much though...I'm just constantly on the look out for good used things at reasonable prices.

[LK5kids]

Garage sales, second hand stores, Goodwill & I got lots of donations from friends. I didn't ask for donations but people kept giving me stuff! I didn't buy much of anything new.

I purchased it all before I opened.

I am also always on the look out for new ( to me) second hand stuff.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I obtained all of my furnishings and most of my toys before opening. I have since added here and there.

[melilley]

I had some things from my daughter and son, but a lot of things were from garage sales, clearance, CL, and a few donations. I did buy new shelving units. I just opened two months ago and have been adding things here and there.

[Crazy In Mo]

I went to a lot of garage sales and bought stuff off craigslist.

That's me too

[LoraJenkins]

My children were young so I had most of what I needed. Since then (20+ years later) I have gotten items in thrift stores, Craig's List, retail stores and by donations.

[bunnyslippers]

I opened with a brand new finished basement, all new supplies, new carpet, freshly painted walls, new tables, chairs, appliances, shelves. Pretty much an entire brand new classroom. It is a beautiful space, and it helped me fill almost immediately. It also cost quite a bit of money, and I can't wait to sell most of it when I close in June!

[daycarediva]

I opened with a brand new finished basement, all new supplies, new carpet, freshly painted walls, new tables, chairs, appliances, shelves. Pretty much an entire brand new classroom. It is a beautiful space, and it helped me fill almost immediately. It also cost quite a bit of money, and I can't wait to sell most of it when I close in June!

I started in my living room, couch, a few shelves with toys, etc which is pretty much the norm around here.

A provider closed who I know, and I bought EVERYTHING from her, an entire new room set up for a fraction of the cost. I walked in, and it was gorgeous. She asked what I was interested in, and I said "How much for everything?" she was like "ALL of it?" "YUP!" It took my dh 3 truck loads. ::

[NeedaVaca]

I had quite a few toys from my own kids to start off with. I started during the summer so it was perfect timing for garage sales. I am so ready for summer so I can garage sale again, LOVE finding bargains & cool stuff to re-purpose!

[LK5kids]

I started in my living room, couch, a few shelves with toys, etc which is pretty much the norm around here.

A provider closed who I know, and I bought EVERYTHING from her, an entire new room set up for a fraction of the cost. I walked in, and it was gorgeous. She asked what I was interested in, and I said "How much for everything?" she was like "ALL of it?" "YUP!" It took my dh 3 truck loads. ::

Awesome!

[frgsonmysox]

I started with what I had, which with 5 kids was a still a fair bit - plus I homeschooled for a few years so that helped. Now I'm spending a decent amount from each pay check flushing it out, hopefully in the next few months I won't need to.

[KnoxMom]

Many toys are from my own children. I've bought furniture, curriculum and all other supplies over the course of a year between Craigslist, Baskets and Books and things to paint/crafts from Goodwill, McKay's (a store with Leap Frog Learning Tablets, all sorts of books, music, etc) art projects from Dollar Tree and Easels and Floor Tiles from Amazon. We also have a children's consignment store with decent prices called Once Upon a Child.