What Have You Done Lately to Improve Your Care?

[Unregistered]

Just booked a child for my last upcoming opening, January start. (Sweet parents, the first time we met, they brought pastries!)
Re-doing the tri-fold brochure that I send home with parents after the first meeting.
And then just "doing summer"! Waterplay, swimming, playgrounds, veggie & herb gardens, and fairy gardens! Yay!

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

Love the responses! I will update ya all next week on what is in my brain. I have to leave for training in a bit, I am off tomorrow (yeah me) and I will be no where near the internet!
happyface

[Josiegirl]

Garden beds, watching caterpillars grow(can't wait for the chrysalises!), adding a bridge to the backyard will be my next project.
I just finished redoing my handbook and contract. I've only handed one out so far though because I have to get ink this weekend and their last day for the summer is tomorrow. I now require $$ to secure a spot. Never did before, figuring everything will work out but it's starting to bite me in the butt because *I* don't have the $$ *I* need for *my* bills.
I want to take an online class again this summer but not sure what topic yet.
Oh I forgot...fairy gardens here too! I bought stuff so they could all make their own to take home and I'm going to have the older dcks make one by my tree in the front yard.

[MarinaVanessa]

Is it just me or does it seem parents are getting the attitude of "my child has a diagnosis so I don't really have to do the hard work of parenting"?

It's not just you ... and I say this because I've been seeing a lot more of the same negative behavior from children that don't have any special needs or diagnosis. I spend more of my time correcting and reminding kids of what appropriate behavior is than I do in an actual activity.

My daughter has ADHD but we as a family have put in the hard work of changing our diet, following a routine, going through individual and family therapy and being consistent in our discipline and although we have some off days she's come a long way and I've been clear with her that she shouldn't think of it as a handicap or use her diagnosis as a crutch, it just means that she has to work a little harder than other kids on certain tasks.

Then I get a child who has a physical/medical condition who happens to also have behavioral problems and a mom that means well but complains that "they" are making things difficult because "they" won't give him occupational therapy because "they" say he doesn't need it (she clearly thinks he needs it, his assessments say otherwise) and then something like this happens ...
It's lunchtime and 5yo DCB (not potty trained btw) doesn't eat ANYTHING healthy (not even fruit). The only thing I can get him to eat that's remotely close to healthy is chocolate Nutella sandwiches on wheat bread (I finally got him off of white bread) so that's what he eats every day.
DCB one day says he wants a hamburger for lunch out of the blue and then has a full blown tantrum because I won't take him to McDonald's. The tantrum lasts for about 45 minutes. DCM comes to pick up and I explain what happens. Her response, not joking:
"Aww, that's ok bubs. I'll take you to get a burger"

[Thriftylady]

It's not just you ... and I say this because I've been seeing a lot more of the same negative behavior from children that don't have any special needs or diagnosis. I spend more of my time correcting and reminding kids of what appropriate behavior is than I do in an actual activity.

My daughter has ADHD but we as a family have put in the hard work of changing our diet, following a routine, going through individual and family therapy and being consistent in our discipline and although we have some off days she's come a long way and I've been clear with her that she shouldn't think of it as a handicap or use her diagnosis as a crutch, it just means that she has to work a little harder than other kids on certain tasks.

Then I get a child who has a physical/medical condition who happens to also have behavioral problems and a mom that means well but complains that "they" are making things difficult because "they" won't give him occupational therapy because "they" say he doesn't need it (she clearly thinks he needs it, his assessments say otherwise) and then something like this happens ...
It's lunchtime and 5yo DCB (not potty trained btw) doesn't eat ANYTHING healthy (not even fruit). The only thing I can get him to eat that's remotely close to healthy is chocolate Nutella sandwiches on wheat bread (I finally got him off of white bread) so that's what he eats every day.
DCB one day says he wants a hamburger for lunch out of the blue and then has a full blown tantrum because I won't take him to McDonald's. The tantrum lasts for about 45 minutes. DCM comes to pick up and I explain what happens. Her response, not joking:
"Aww, that's ok bubs. I'll take you to get a burger"

Oh nice, what a great way to stop a tantrum!

We feared DD had something like ADD, but her main issues were tantrums. Found out, WE were a big part of the issue. We also changed her diet, taking her off of red, yellow and blue dyes made a huge difference. And I know for a fact that made a difference because that was before DH adopted her and she still had weekend visits with bio dad. She would come home and go right into a fit of anger. I would find out they ate junk all weekend. It was like he didn't even care what eating crap did to her.

[Unregistered]

I started enforcing late fees, and surprise, not one late parent since.

Hubby helped me make an enormous sandbox outside. Everyone plays there for the majority of outdoor time.

I'm not keeping a wait list. Too much of a hassle.

[childcaremom]

I tossed a bunch of toys. Bare minimum is out.

I changed my hours. I used to close at 5:30. My latest contracted pick up time is now 5 but my latest pick up since the change has been 4! This has been life changing for my family. Seriously the best move ever.

I replaced 2 dcks that were causing me stress. Phew. This was the best change of all for me.

I am working on some outdoor set up ideas. My dh has been bringing home cast offs from work and I just need to figure out what I'm going to do with it and where it's going to go.

[Unregistered]

I'm in the process of creating a more natural indoor environment.

I'm transitioning to almost all (but not totally) wood toys, cloth, and other natural materials. Just bit by bit I pick up nice condition wood toys at Goodwill and rummage sled. I'm choosy, not just buying everything I see.

Also, beginning to buy high quality second hand baskets for storing toys.

I got a beautiful wood doll house - no furniture tho. Someone gave me some wood furniture. I found a wood IKEA kitchen for $6.00! I've gotten a nice wooden garbage truck too.

I'm implementing the social/emotional skills from Vanderbuilt University and becoming more aware in this area.

[AnythingsPossible]

I haven't made any changes yet, but am thinking of transitioning to birth to three care. My hold up is that I am planning no being done in three years when our youngest graduates high school so I am not sure if I want to invest in changes to do birth to three when I am not looking long term.
In the mean time, I have made small changes in that we have changed the area of our house used for daycare this summer so my children can have their own space too.

[AmyKidsCo]

I'm in the process of creating a more natural indoor environment.

I'm transitioning to almost all (but not totally) wood toys, cloth, and other natural materials. Just bit by bit I pick up nice condition wood toys at Goodwill and rummage sled. I'm choosy, not just buying everything I see.

Also, beginning to buy high quality second hand baskets for storing toys.

I got a beautiful wood doll house - no furniture tho. Someone gave me some wood furniture. I found a wood IKEA kitchen for $6.00! I've gotten a nice wooden garbage truck too.

I'm implementing the social/emotional skills from Vanderbuilt University and becoming more aware in this area.

Congrats! I switched over to more natural materials several years ago and still LOVE it!

Now I need to redo the back yard to cut down on plastic...

PS - I found furniture for my wood doll house on Ebay. Not cheap but not full price either.

[Pestle]

DCB one day says he wants a hamburger for lunch out of the blue and then has a full blown tantrum because I won't take him to McDonald's. The tantrum lasts for about 45 minutes. DCM comes to pick up and I explain what happens. Her response, not joking:
"Aww, that's ok bubs. I'll take you to get a burger"

Why . . . you MONSTER! Good thing the kid's mom showed up to take him away from the horrible care provider who wouldn't chauffeur him to the nearest fast food joint. You probably serve lean meat with whole wheat. What are you trying to do, starve the child?

[Febby]

Made some new sensory bottles.

Finished putting up the new toy and shelf labels in art and dramatic play.

Gave some toys I hate cleaning and my kids don't play with to other classrooms.

Used money from our latest grant to get a bunch of new floor puzzles and playground toys.

Some electronic toys that only semi-work "accidentally" got lost in the trash can after "accidentally" falling into the sink.

[Stephnrich]

Several months back I changed my hours from 7-5:45 to 8:15-3:15, and was slightly shocked that it's worked.

We switched to a different CPA who helped us find new ways to save money, especially with keeping track of mileage.

[Josiegirl]

My sweet adorable huggy just turned 2 yo twins left yesterday for the summer and they're the youngest I have(until October). So I'm taking the weekend, getting rid of booster seats, pack'n'plays, double stroller, and baby toys. I'm going to rearrange my playroom and the spare bedroom where they napped. Find all my older kids' games and put them out. Rearrange my arts/crafts supplies so they can be accessed by the SA dcks.

[CityGarden]

Recently I visited several home based preschools and traditional preschools for research - one director outside of my state but with a program I LOVE and would love to duplicate offered to mentor me! lovethis

I wrote my Parent Handbook & Enrollment Contract.

I have been researching what I need business wise and employee wise in my area and working on a business plan.

I have been researching location options both in the home as well as outside the home (since I have to move).

School wise I decided to get some specific training related to the educational philosophy I plan to offer. I am also considering getting my Masters in ECE so I reached out to a local college that offers that. I also registered for some child development classes at the local city college to refresh my knowledge of the littles --- I love school and it gives me the opportunity to interact with adults so I am looking forward to this!

I have been cleaning out materials from teaching (as well as from my own child) to see which items would also be of use to my home based preschool.

While I would love an emergent play-based program I have been looking into curriculum or plans that could help supplement or support that.