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Now that I am down to 2 kids for the summer an gaining 2 with 1 returning. Well technically 2 will be coming back but 1 of those 2 will be in full day pre school an I will only have him an hour in the morning an half hour afternoon. I will also gain another one going to the same preschool an my daughter is going to so I don't count them. So anyway.... The 5 full time are all 2-years old an all turned 2 about the same time (early spring). So I have decided to use this time to restructure my boring tired daycare tactics an refresh it all. I share a space with my main and only livingroom. I need some ideas of setting up stations, storage ideas that are kid friendly. I have a huge wall with nothing on it so I can hang things on it as well. I am looking for fresh ideas on everything.
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I will be watching this since I also use my only living room, have a small bedroom that is mostly play room and share my dining room. I am constantly looking for new ideas. -
Well...
I now have a separate space, but when we moved, I made some changes in my program.
-I introduced some Montessori concepts. I am not a trained Montessorian, but I read a lot and have visited programs. My dck's now help set the table, clean up, water plants, bus their dishes, feed the fish etc.
One of my 2 rooms is clean-as-you go. The activities (not real Montessori stuff, but high-quality materials similar in concept), are presented on trays. They use two hands, carry the "work" to the table, and then return it when completed. They love it! My little kinetic sweetheart who used to wander a LOT loves it. She is busy busy busy. None of them ever touched the puzzles before, but now they do. They must return it to the shelf before getting another activity, and they cannot hand it to another child; they return it and the next one gets it out. I haven't had a single argument in that room. Right now, we use it for maybe 45 minutes a day. As they get better at it, I will add more activities and more time (like, when the weather is miserable). We're outside 3-4 hours a day, so there's just not a lot of opportunity yet anyway.
I loved them as toddlers but now that they're two's it MORE fun...I didn't expect that.
The other room is more traditional, with blocks, duplos, cuddle corner, reading nook, dramatic play, etc. That room is "everyone pitches in until it's clean".
When I shared my living room, I kept the decor adult. I don't think everything needs to be primary colors. I also put away what ever I didn't need at the time (like the infant gym when not in use).
I bought a big armoire, and that was my changing station. Behind closed doors so you never knew it was in there. Once every one went home, there wasn't much in the room that screamed "daycare", except the stupid booster seats at the table (I didn't have room for a small table). Friday as we finished snack, they got put away, everything got wiped down, and I put a tablecloth on the table. Viola'! No more daycare for a few days.
Maybe you could have out few toys, but rotate more often, so you don't feel it's all "there" all the time. Or, if you have a large closet in the room, you can put all the toys in shelves in there, open it up (wedge them open so they don't pinch or close doors on themselves). Doors closed...daycare over.Comment
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