Communication Board

[Snowmom]

I really want to get rid of my "daily sheets" that I fill out for each child, every day.
I'm not too keen on doing them electronically either, I don't think I could commit to it.
I'm looking for input from others on what you do... or if you do something similar to what I'm thinking may work: to post a chalkboard/whiteboard that I could just write on one time/daily.
So, it will list:
1. Breakfast, lunch, snack
2. Daily activities

There's two problems I see happening.
One, I have a couple parents that I don't think will like it very well, since poop-status and nap-status seems to be so important to these parents. Granted, these dcks are 2, so I get the "want" to know, but I can always tell them at pick up (even though it might be crazy in the house).
Two, I want it to look cute! If it's going to be in my entry, I want it to look nice and not a standard run of the mill Office Max whiteboard/chalkboard. Anyone know of cute places to find some?

Thanks!

[Unregistered]

When I worked in a preschool center, the teachers of the 3's & prek classes would write or type out a what we did today sheet and placed it either on the top of their sign in/out sheet or in a clear acrylic photo holder on top the counter in the entryway of their classroom. Parents would be informed where to look on the child's first day.

[Thriftylady]

What about a pretty picture frame with plain paper in it? The glass you just use dry erase markers but you could pick any framed you love.

[Blackcat31]

I really want to get rid of my "daily sheets" that I fill out for each child, every day.
I'm not too keen on doing them electronically either, I don't think I could commit to it.
I'm looking for input from others on what you do... or if you do something similar to what I'm thinking may work: to post a chalkboard/whiteboard that I could just write on one time/daily.
So, it will list:
1. Breakfast, lunch, snack
2. Daily activities

There's two problems I see happening.
One, I have a couple parents that I don't think will like it very well, since poop-status and nap-status seems to be so important to these parents. Granted, these dcks are 2, so I get the "want" to know, but I can always tell them at pick up (even though it might be crazy in the house).
Two, I want it to look cute! If it's going to be in my entry, I want it to look nice and not a standard run of the mill Office Max whiteboard/chalkboard. Anyone know of cute places to find some?

Thanks!

I post my menu on a wipe-off board daily. It's a picture frame with a pattern piece of paper in it and I write on the glass with a dry erase marker. Works great!

As for daily activities and poop-updates, I do NOT do those beyond the first few weeks of care and even then only for an infant or non-verbal child.

For the other families, they can ask their kids. It's part of the parent-child relationship.

I do post my monthly themes on my website but not down to daily details.

As for the parents that insist on daily updates, someone here suggested once to have the parents supply them AND pay an additional fee each week ($10)for the time in which it takes you to document....you know because we don't already have enough paperwork to do....

You might be surprised as to how many of these parents that are insistent about it, change their minds when it becomes THEIR responsibility to supply.

[Meeko]

This is my sign in area. I have a bulletin board that my sister in law made for us...it's wood. I didn't want any "office-ey" white/plastic boards etc.

On the board is our menu (never changes as it's a cycle menu). Also our monthly theme calendar which I print off each month (I love Printmaster) Our daycare license, business license and daily schedule etc are in frames. There is room on the board for any extra notices etc.

I decorate around it all depending on the season. This was taken at Thanksgiving time.

Daycare files are kept below on the shelves. I can grab them for any licensing inspection, food program inspection or need to show a parent a reg or remind them of their contract etc.

I tell parents at interview that it is their responsibility to keep an eye on the board for information. If I ever get "I didn't know"....I just point at the board.