Do You Feel Pulled?

[dalman]

I fell into this back in December. I decided to only do crafts/projects when it worked for me. The curriculum I have has craft almost everyday and it was too much for me. The most important goal of children before kindergarten is to learn social skills, large motor skills and some of the basic pre-k concepts. Why was I stressing myself out to run a preschool? The parents don't expect it. They take their kids to preschool in the mornings (great break for me). They just want a safe, loving, relaxed learning environment for the children. Children learn through play more than seat time. And I think the children are happier now. I rotate large playsets to promote imagination and social skills. A creative thinking child will grow to be a creative, thinking adult. I love to hear the children playing together.

[Laurel]

I cut back a lot on daycare a couple years ago. I don't offer preschool curriculum but surprisingly (or not ) all of my kids have gone off to preschool or kinder and done well. I am happy to be a babysitter only. No preschool curriculum, no forced crafts. I keep the kids clean, happy, and safe, thats it. No reports home unless the parents provide the sheets or apps....only one parent took me up on that. No regular photos, no website, no facebook group......just take a break from whatever you need to do. I dont even take enough photos of my own kids, definitely not going to use my family time tagging hundreds of daycare photos.

Its up to you what you want to provide and if the sacrifice is worth it. All I am saying is that it is OKAY to cut back. You know what? I am still almost always full, still have happy families and good references, recently raised my rates.

Exactly!!

[daycarediva]

I have two college courses, 55-60 hour work week, 4 kids and a husband. I do what I can.

Here is how I get it (or MOST of it) done.

I do paperwork (state and sheets for each kid) during AM free play.

I do anything else on my to do list at nap.

If it doesn't get done at nap, I seriously don't do it until the next day.

I plan and put out 1 new center a MONTH now. I have a stockpile, but I used to do a new center every week. TOO MUCH. For both me, and the kids.

Something different is out daily, but it's something I rotate, not something new.

Free art is the basis of our art/craft time, I do a processed art project on occasion, must be SUPER SIMPLE.

[daycarediva]

Also- I no longer plan my own curriculum. I used to purchase it (MGT) and it was just too much teacher led. I come up with things the children are interested in, and plan activities and centers around that. Teacherspayteachers.com is the BEST resource. I go under category, prek, and find awesome free (just push print!) or very low cost ($1-$5 for a bundled pack) of center ideas, games, etc all related to that specific theme.

Now my 'lesson planning' time is "Hey kids, what do you think you might like to learn about next week?" they give me ideas, we take a vote, I go on teacherspayteachers and push print. 15 minutes for the week, TOPS.

[melilley]

I cut back a lot on daycare a couple years ago. I don't offer preschool curriculum but surprisingly (or not ) all of my kids have gone off to preschool or kinder and done well. I am happy to be a babysitter only. No preschool curriculum, no forced crafts. I keep the kids clean, happy, and safe, thats it. No reports home unless the parents provide the sheets or apps....only one parent took me up on that. No regular photos, no website, no facebook group......just take a break from whatever you need to do. I dont even take enough photos of my own kids, definitely not going to use my family time tagging hundreds of daycare photos.

Its up to you what you want to provide and if the sacrifice is worth it. All I am saying is that it is OKAY to cut back. You know what? I am still almost always full, still have happy families and good references, recently raised my rates.

Same here. I thought about doing a more formal "preschool" curriculum, but my kids seem to enjoy doing what they are interested in. Sure, I have a weekly theme, but it's geared towards what the kids like and I don't have to do it. My parents are all happy with what I do too. I honestly don't think anyone would care if I did do a more formal preschool curriculum. But I also don't think of my dc as a preschool either.

[jenn]

I cut back a lot on daycare a couple years ago. I don't offer preschool curriculum but surprisingly (or not ) all of my kids have gone off to preschool or kinder and done well. I am happy to be a babysitter only. No preschool curriculum, no forced crafts. I keep the kids clean, happy, and safe, thats it. No reports home unless the parents provide the sheets or apps....only one parent took me up on that. No regular photos, no website, no facebook group......just take a break from whatever you need to do.

[misslori50]

just let them play they are small children

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

just let them play they are small children

Wish that was what parents wanted but it is NOT.



Thank you everyone else for your suggestions!!

[Annalee]

Wish that was what parents wanted but it is NOT.



Thank you everyone else for your suggestions!!

I felt like you at one point, but then at a parent meeting I literally took each play center and showed how each areal taught something.. literacy, social emotional, physical, etc.....I explained that we do have group time with some instruction but the majority of the time the children are learning through the environment of my program. Each month brings different materials depending on the themes I have chosen. It is much easier and less stress doing this....for me anyway! I do give calendars for the month and each day has a specific idea/activity, but my parents understand most things are hands-on. There is always the 1 or 2 parents that are thorns in my side about this, BUT after 20 plus years.....they can get over it! :: Good luck to you !