Need Daycare Set Up Ideas

[sahm1225]

What do you use to store your diapers? Toys? Art supplies?

Any toys you can't live without?

I've been in business for 4 years. Just looking for some ideas...

Or anyone who would come decorate my space for me happyface

[cheerfuldom]

something that might be helpful is to go ahead and post pics of your current space so we can recommend specific things. also posting how many kids you have and ages so we know who is actually using particular spaces. are you in the group that shows pictures of other providers spaces?

[sahm1225]

I am in the decor group too

My age group is 1-4 year olds. And up to 12.

I will post pics tomorrow of my current set up. Thank you!

[AmyKidsCo]

something that might be helpful is to go ahead and post pics of your current space so we can recommend specific things.

Ditto. It's always easier to give suggestions when you can see what there is to work with.

[Meeko]

This is my changing area. The shelves are actually cd storage shelves. Narrow, but good for diapers. The green drawers under the table hold packs of wipes and spare diapers. The beige "garbage" can holds spare clothing.

[Meeko]

My toys are stored in clear bins in wood units.

[Laurel]

What do you use to store your diapers? Toys? Art supplies?

Any toys you can't live without?

I've been in business for 4 years. Just looking for some ideas...

Or anyone who would come decorate my space for me happyface

For diaper changing I use a small chest of drawers. I have a pad on the top of it for changing and use the drawers to store diapers, wipes, etc. One of the drawers has extra outfits in it.

I rotate toys so the ones I am not using are stored in plastic milk crates stacked in an otherwise empty bedroom closet. I have some stored in the garage also in plastic totes. When in use, they are just on a shelf in the playroom. I store some things like matching cards, stringing beads, lacing boards, etc. in a chest of drawers (in a bedroom). On top of the chest are two puzzle racks with puzzles. Books are on a book shelf but I don't keep them in the playroom. I just bring some out each week. So basically I don't keep the bulk of toys in the same room the children are in. They come in and out of the playroom weekly.

I don't leave art supplies out in the playroom. We do art at the dining room table so I just bring them out as needed. I store construction, drawing, or lined paper in a hanging file folder in my filing cabinet. Crayons, paint, etc. are in a small hall closet nearby.

The toy that would be hard to live without is the Little Tykes Garden. I never, ever have moved it from the playroom in 16 years! :: A daycare parent who was my first baby ever gave it to me so it is vintage but still looks great. They love it because it has a door, a place to sit (where veggies are really supposed to go), and a mailbox attached. I saw a newer one recently and they are sooo different. Here is a pic of the one I have. Hope the link works. I don't know how to add pics here.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=Little+Tykes+Vintage+Activity+Garden&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Laurel

[cheerfuldom]

we had something similar to the little tikes garden and my kids loved it so much, they started fighting over it and getting territorial. they ALL wanted it, ALL the time. I finally had to get rid of it for that reason. even the 5 year old wanted to get in that all the time.

[Laurel]

we had something similar to the little tikes garden and my kids loved it so much, they started fighting over it and getting territorial. they ALL wanted it, ALL the time. I finally had to get rid of it for that reason. even the 5 year old wanted to get in that all the time.

I haven't really had that problem. Sometimes they all want in it at the same time but not most of the time. At one time I also had a small slide/climber combination inside (I now have it outside) so they would go between the two. Maybe the solution would be to have two similar cool items.

Laurel

[sahm1225]

Meeko - what's in your storage bins?

Thanks Lauren!

[sahm1225]

Here's another view.


I am getting rid of the playhouse and adding a bigger clubhouse w a slide. I'm also getting a smaller you organizer. Leaning towards a different ikea one, but not sure.

I'm wondering what suggestions anyone has?

[Meeko]

Meeko - what's in your storage bins?

Thanks Lauren!

Manipulatives......blocks, stickle blocks, Mr. Potato Heads, Discovery Toys pop-apart animals, cars, sewing cards, dinosaurs, magnetic shapes/blocks, etc.

[Sunchimes]

I have that garden too, but I didn't know it was a garden. Mine is missing the vegetables. A lady at a church rummage sale gave it to me when my dcg didn't want to get out of it. I offered to pay for it, but it belonged to her grandson and she wanted it to go to a good home. I've known her for years, so she knew it would be special to us. My kids use the space for vegies as a place to store their water cups.

[ShellAve]

I use a wooden cubby section that my husband built for me. I have plastic bins in about half of them that are filled with toys. Megablocks are my absolute favorites as far as toys go. All the fun and versatility of Legos, but without the small pieces for the little ones to eat :P

I also really like doing art projects. I keep all of our art supplies in a trunk in a separate closet away from the DC area. I buy whatever art supplies Utrecht has on sale and then find activities on Pinterest for us based on what I bought.

For diapers/changing supplies I just use the changing table I used with my own kids.