If You Could Change 1 Thing

[DaveA]

Build a dedicated daycare space on the other side of the garage so it was completely separate from the rest from the rest of the house.

[Mad_Pistachio]

I wish our daycare could take children on field trips (well, the older ones, anyway). Library, science center, children's museums - all that stuff. And I know they don't do it not because they don't want to, but because SO MUCH liability goes into taking a group of someone else's children somewhere...
I guess I wish their hands weren't as tied.

[Baby Beluga]

I wish our daycare could take children on field trips (well, the older ones, anyway). Library, science center, children's museums - all that stuff. And I know they don't do it not because they don't want to, but because SO MUCH liability goes into taking a group of someone else's children somewhere...
I guess I wish their hands weren't as tied.

This is a tough one. I would LOVE to take my group on outings. We have a local library that has wonderful children's events each day. And lovely parks and splash pads - all within walking distance. It would be so much fun to participate in outings, but yes the liability often isn't worth it.

[Annalee]

any one thing about your day, what would you change??
Whether it's a training you wish was available. Creating more interesting centers(or like my place, any centers at all). Something you would love to incorporate into your program at some point. The way you organize things. Your schedule, how to handle transitions better. Creating a more interesting circle time.
Anything at all. Dream big or little, doesn't matter.

I definitely need to learn more about classroom management or group control. I'll have 5 kids, ages 2 1/2-4 1/2. I'd love to offer more of a tot learning atmosphere and routine but have no idea how to get from where we are to where I'd love them to be. And where we are is almost constant free play mode. Where I'd love them to be is following some sort of light schedule that includes a short circle time, a weekly theme using a letter of the alphabet each week, and having them listen better to me. I'd offer more to the 3's and 4's to develop their pre-writing and pre-math skills.
I need to find some sort of online training because our workshop schedule just arrived and I honestly found nothing I was interested in.

I also need to change my space around to create centers rather than having toys here and there.

So does anyone have things they're currently working on or would love to change within their environment or something you'd love to learn more about?
(I need inspiration)

Well, I think I would like to simply QUIT!!!!!:: Kinda just kidding! :: A while back, My sons were looking at some old pics when they were in daycare here (10 plus years ago) and the youngest said "mom, it used to be fun here" That got me to thinking! They were in child care BEFORE the state mandates come in....so I guess if I could change one thing, it would be some freedom to bring THAT FUN back!

[Cat Herder]

A wrap around deck, ramped, gated and covered that extends to the playground. No stairs. With activity boards (ball ramps, paint/chalk easels, etc), outcroppings for play kitchens/workshops and tunnel sections. Actually making it a part of the play environment.

Obviously it would have to be a magically bubble wrapped kiddy encasement to meet regs. Rubber is not environmentally friendly or renewable. Plastic will dry rot and get too hot in the sun. Maybe it could be made of unicorn-hyde so no kid will have issues with splinters, allergies to wood stain, it would also be free of politically charged anti-logging discord. Of course PETA would protest me... . Hmmm.... this is going to have to be be a work in progress.

Really I would settle for a #@$%^%$# playground. I have spent well over $8,000 for an amazing museum to fun out in the woods behind my barn. Each piece pre-approved by licensing, only to be deemed against regs later. We are down to mulch, balls and a chalk board. I am waiting for the letter stating the chalk can cause allergies, the mulch can encourage mold/bugs and the balls will cause TBI.

Eh, I am too annoyed at what more "I" can do to have a little fun with these kids. They just want to climb, throw, run, splatter, splash and laugh. It used to be fun around here.

[Miss A]

A completely separate, fully functioning daycare area. Where I can have a bathroom, playroom, kitchenette, and nap room all set up all the time, that does not take over my living room, and guest bedrooms.

[Josiegirl]

A wrap around deck, ramped, gated and covered that extends to the playground. No stairs. With activity boards (ball ramps, paint/chalk easels, etc), outcroppings for play kitchens/workshops and tunnel sections. Actually making it a part of the play environment.

Obviously it would have to be a magically bubble wrapped kiddy encasement to meet regs. Rubber is not environmentally friendly or renewable. Plastic will dry rot and get too hot in the sun. Maybe it could be made of unicorn-hyde so no kid will have issues with splinters, allergies to wood stain, it would also be free of politically charged anti-logging discord. Of course PETA would protest me... . Hmmm.... this is going to have to be be a work in progress.

Really I would settle for a #@$%^%$# playground. I have spent well over $8,000 for an amazing museum to fun out in the woods behind my barn. Each piece pre-approved by licensing, only to be deemed against regs later. We are down to mulch, balls and a chalk board. I am waiting for the letter stating the chalk can cause allergies, the mulch can encourage mold/bugs and the balls will cause TBI.

Eh, I am too annoyed at what more "I" can do to have a little fun with these kids. They just want to climb, throw, run, splatter, splash and laugh. It used to be fun around here.

OMG after such an investment, I think I'd appeal that or something!!! How sad that the kids are losing out big-time due to power hungry officials who probably don't know what kids would love anyways, just have to drum up every single friggin' thing that could possibly happen but wouldn't in a hundred years.

[Cat Herder]

OMG after such an investment, I think I'd appeal that or something!!! How sad that the kids are losing out big-time due to power hungry officials who probably don't know what kids would love anyways, just have to drum up every single friggin' thing that could possibly happen but wouldn't in a hundred years.

Fighting just makes local enemies, something I can't afford until my kids finish college.

Then there is this:

"Examples of children using equipment in an unsafe and inappropriate manner would be, but not limited to, a child climbing up the slide instead of using the ladder, a child swinging on a swing on his stomach, etc."

The entire time is spent policing instead of letting them play so as not to get cited for allowing unsafe play.

"Playgrounds should be clean and protect
children from potential injury. The playground should
be free of hazards including but not limited to the following:

* Trip hazards
* Uneven turf
* Exposed bricks/cinder blocks
* Exposed concrete edges
* Slippery areas
* Exposed tree roots/rocks
* Tall grass
* Potholes "


In a rural, mountain, neighborhood. :::: Yeah, tell mother nature to knock it off. Oh, and stepping stones to keep them off the slippery/muddy areas between the porch and playground is against regs, too. Good luck with that.

"The fence/barrier should be constructed of solid, sturdy material such as chain link or smooth wood, and should be four feet high in all areas. All fences should be maintained in good condition with no gaps, loose wires, exposed sharp prongs, etc"

happyface

Awesome! I got a rocking 4 foot fence installed, covered it in professional wind netting to prevent climbing and mounted painting easels for a touch of fun. Game on, right :confused:

"At least six inches or more of resilient surface is recommended for equipment five feet or greater in height and at least three inches of resilient surface is recommended for equipment less than five feet in height."


Sorry, once you add the mulch in your fenced in area it no longer meets regs. 4 foot is measured from the TOP of the mulch making it 6 inches too short. Adding smaller landscape timber areas around specific equipment, to leave a gap between the fence and mulch, will create a tripping/fall hazard and lower your space requirement per child. Climbing equipment has to go.

It really is frustrating. ::