Finally put my finger on it!

[KIDZRMYBIZ]

Well, I figured I would be quitting daycare in 3 years, in part because of the new licensing regs that are going to boost expenses quite a bit, but mostly because QRIS participation will probably be mandatory then. I was upset about it, even angry, but then got to the acceptance stage and was even starting to plan a little. Then, my hubby talked to me about it and suggested I try to power through; not throw in the towel quite yet. He is so supportive because he knows I love my days with the kids, even though it takes up half the house, my long days, dcf drama, etc. etc. And, of course, the moolah! I would probably make only half "on the outside" what I do now, but it would also be MUCH less work.

Then, he talked me through what my struggles really are, and what changes I could make to defrazzle the day. I realized that when our own kids were little, I did preschool in the afternoons, only for the kids in their last year before K, when all the younger ones were sleeping. Now, I do it in the a.m., for kids as little as 2 1/2 or close to 3 (depending on the child), when all the others are clamoring for attention and getting into things, and it is H E double hockey sticks! I think this is the one thing pushing me over the edge! It is so freaking hard to teach a preschool lesson 1) to kids under 4 that don't give a hoot, and 2) when newborns/crawlers/cruisers/toddlers are about. I need a screaming emoticon here!

So that's what it is. That is what is jacking up the daycare harmony. When do you guys do your preschool, and for what ages? I want to go back to the way it was, 4yo and over and in the afternoon, but dcfs seem to think I need to school them to death once they hit age 2, and am afraid I won't get clients if I revert back. Thoughts?

[Blackcat31]

My curriculum is completely play based.

We "measure" progress for QRIS by using twice yearly assessments.

I don't do cookie cutter crafts or worksheets and/or flash cards. I don't have written lesson plans PRIOR to activities but have tons of documentation to show our work.

Learning in my program is not measurable by paper or by charts but through a child's happiness and continual progress forward.

[TwinKristi]

I haven't reached that stage in my group yet. I've only had short term or PT kids 3+ because I prefer infants and toddlers. I've considered doing a preschool program when my DS & DCB are turning 4yrs, so next Fall. The 2's I have now won't start Kindy til they're 5 turning 6 so I have a couple years to figure this out. But I also worry about managing the crew during these times.

[butterfly]

I do it in the morning while my littlest ones are taking their am nap. I do it for all ages (that are awake during the time). I usually let the one and 2 year olds play while we do our lesson. Sometimes they decide to sit with us and do it too, sometimes they don't.

I get lots and lots of referrals from my families that I serve BECAUSE I do the preschool lessons with them (at all ages). I don't know if I'd have any clients -or atleast clients that I'd want to have - if I didn't do the curriculm with them.

I typically do a curriculum from Sept-April. Once it warms up, we are outside instead of doing classroom time. That gives me a break from all the planning and allows the kids to just be kids and play for a while, because that is so important too!