How Many Toys?

[Provider_Manda]

What would you guys recommend on the amount of toys out for 6 children a day ages, 1,2,3 and 4 ? I have a lot of toys and a lot put up to rotate. But it seems like I am over taken with the clutter and I know the kids are too! Any suggestions on the amount of toys to have for a group of different ages.

Thanks!

[Rockgirl]

Here I have six kids, ages 2-4. Some things are available all the time: play kitchen & accessories, baby dolls, blocks, duplos, and Fisher Price little people town. These toys are played with every day. During the day, I pull out one or two other toys at a time: large bin of gears, pegboards & pegs--these types of things, and spread out a quilt for them to be kept on. I have lots of manipulayives and playsets in small bins that a child can ask for, and play with them on a small rug--they don't have free access to these. They must ask me, and must pick up all pieces and bring me the toy before changing activities. Not sure if that answers your question, but it's how we do it.

[midaycare]

Here I have six kids, ages 2-4. Some things are available all the time: play kitchen & accessories, baby dolls, blocks, duplos, and Fisher Price little people town. These toys are played with every day. During the day, I pull out one or two other toys at a time: large bin of gears, pegboards & pegs--these types of things, and spread out a quilt for them to be kept on. I have lots of manipulayives and playsets in small bins that a child can ask for, and play with them on a small rug--they don't have free access to these. They must ask me, and must pick up all pieces and bring me the toy before changing activities. Not sure if that answers your question, but it's how we do it.

This is how I do things too

[auntymimi]

Here I have six kids, ages 2-4. Some things are available all the time: play kitchen & accessories, baby dolls, blocks, duplos, and Fisher Price little people town. These toys are played with every day. During the day, I pull out one or two other toys at a time: large bin of gears, pegboards & pegs--these types of things, and spread out a quilt for them to be kept on. I have lots of manipulatives and play sets in small bins that a child can ask for, and play with them on a small rug--they don't have free access to these. They must ask me, and must pick up all pieces and bring me the toy before changing activities. Not sure if that answers your question, but it's how we do it.

This is me too. I have mine set up in centers. (baby doll nursery/play kitchen/housekeeping, all kinds of blocks, gross motor toys-only to be done during "active time" or it gets too crazy, , book corner with stuffed animals, dress up, and little people and accessories. Then I have a rotating center based upon interests at the time/ monthly theme. Right now it's a large dollhouse with people and animals, I'm about to switch it out for the train table. Seeing it all written out it looks like a lot but I have a pretty large space to work in. I also have bins of table time activities like puzzles, gears, playdoh and little habitats for small world play, marble runs, ect. These are only played with by bigger kids that can handle them and in a room without my youngest ones.