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Just starting off on a small inhome center and am wondering what are some of the things you couldn't do with out!
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I have a small indoor slide that everyone loves. Also a ball pit. People on here are mixed about ball pits, but I love it and so do the kids I have. I think it depends on the kids you have and how well you can enforce rules.
I also have a train table (glue as much as possible down to the tracks). Lots and lots of books - I have 1000+. I bought most of them secondhand. I have a reading corner and the kiddos adore it.
I know there are other threads on this, you might want to try the search function. Good luck! -
Blocks, baby dolls, dress up clothes, crayons, markers, paper, glue.Comment
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A sense of humor and truckloads of patience.
Right now the go-to things are the babies and strollers. But it's probably because my group is 14 months-3ish and they're all girls. The blocks are a hit too because you can incorporate just about anything into that play area to change it up. I bought a big plastic dollhouse filled with tons of furniture, 10 bucks at a yard sale, and the kids love that too. Other than those current favorites are playdoh and dress-up clothes with music.
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Provider/Parent contract
Parent Handbook
Baby gates
Books
Blocks
Outdoor space
Quad strollerComment
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Books books books!!Comment
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LEGOS!
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Train set, dress up clothes, blocks, and strollers (I have a double).Comment
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Blocks, books, color coded dishes/cups for each child, white noise machineComment
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Coffee. Loads of coffee
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1) Octagon play yard. If I didn't have somewhere to put the 1.5yo that can pull EVERYTHING off the shelves in the 40 seconds it takes me to use the bathroom, I would have lost my mind long ago!
2) A really nice kid's table. Although I miss my 6-seater picnic table that's now outside, because I have found it is really hard for kids under 4yo to scoot chairs up to the table on the carpet. But then I remember the reason I got the new table - picnic tables are climbing magnets for the 2yo and under crowd. Not sure which is worse...
3) Some kind of cubby and coathooks where they come in.
4) A a contract and handbook with everything spelled out to the letter, and a backbone to enforce it! Just come on here for all the confidence and justification you need!Comment
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Original poster, what ages are you starting with? And how many?
I just started in August with a small infant, and two mobile, self feeding older infants. Other than the usual staples (pack n plays, nap mats, high chairs) I needed bibs and burp cloths! I had bought several, but ran through them in two days so I quickly realized I needed more to avoid needing to wash them every day. (I live alone so I don't have enough clothes for a load for at least three days, ha ha) the same goes for cups and plates. I didn't have enough to fill the dishwasher before I ran out of ones to use, so I bought ore to avoid washing dishes with a half empty dishwasher. (If you have more than two on meals I doubt that wil be a problem for you)
Make sure you have enough toys to rotate them a little. A toy that's been in a closet even for just a week is way cooler.i might have ore to add later, but that's what comes to mind first
Good luck!Comment
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I agree about a kids table whether it be a Little Tikes picnic table or a preschool table it is NICE to have!
Also I have some plastic bowls and plates and also sippy cups that I use multiple times per day.
Pak-n-plays for the babies, nap mats and blankets for the toddlers and bigger kids.
A good contract covering everything and stick to it!Comment
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A timer. It's a valuable tool when sharing toys becomes a problem and for time-outs, or countless other things.
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Vodka. For you after hours.
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