Best Changes....

[MissAnn]

What are the best changes in your program you've made?
Here's my recent ones:

1. Paper plates
2. Walmart online grocery shopping
3. Activities (except drama and block centers) done at tables only

[LittleScholars]

What are the best changes in your program you've made?
Here's my recent ones:

1. Paper plates
2. Walmart online grocery shopping
3. Activities (except drama and block centers) done at tables only

I think about paper products! I'm always running the dishwasher on the sanitize setting, so sometimes I wonder if I'm really saving anything (other than the planet) by using re-usable plates.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I really need to implement paper plates half the week. Save my sanity on the final two days, perhaps.

1. Shortening my hours.
2. I'm getting back to trying to have everything work related done by the time work ends or SHORTLY after. This would mean some prep work for the following week, too.

[nanglgrl]

1. Shortening hours
2. Selling all of my infant supplies so I'd never even think about accepting another infant.

[LostMyMarbles]

Paper plates
More activities at tables ( they are less likely to be wild)
More group activities( let's build tall towers with these blocks)
More preschool activities and reading (burns up all morning)
Mandatory quiet time for all (saves my sanity)
Phasing out school kids (cuts down on loudness in the afternoon)
Having my helper run a day and me taking it off to play in the big girl world.
Getting bolder with the parents about their nonsense
Cooking in bulk and freezing meals
Taking time to enjoy this forum

[childcaremom]

Moving to school year care only
Shortening my hours
Sticking to my trial period
Moving away from curriculum
Screening potential families more closely and being super picky

[debbiedoeszip]

1. Doing all cooking on weekends.

2. Using some processed/convenience food shortcuts instead of everything from scratch (instant mashed potatoes, canned veggies, canned fruit, frozen waffles and pancakes).

3. Cutting out circle time completely (dckids are 12mo, 20mo, and 24mo) and not doing art every day. We spend more time outside instead (on nice days we spend about 5 hours in total outside).

[Annalee]

What are the best changes in your program you've made?
Here's my recent ones:

1. Paper plates
2. Walmart online grocery shopping
3. Activities (except drama and block centers) done at tables only

I also do alot at the Tables....My kids call them "table toys".....I call it "learning to sit still & focus on a task"

I have also allowed center free play but with more control...i.e...pairing up certain children and limiting how many in each area.....

My days seem to go smoother this way!

[AmyKidsCo]

Shortening my hours.
Going back to 90% child-led free play.
Moving all nappers to main floor.
Taking all my time off.
Closing early for appointments.

[Josiegirl]

I use paper plates 2-3 times a week.
My handbook and policies are getting better all the time.
More silliness and laughter.
Trying SO hard to enter volatile situations calmly instead of running into the center of it all and yelling OK, who did this or that??

[MissAnn]

Trying SO hard to enter volatile situations calmly instead of running into the center of it all and yelling OK, who did this or that??

This cracked me up because it's so true! No one fesses up or they all say different kids names. It forces them into lying. Oh....and it happened to me yesterday. LOL

[MissAnn]

I also do alot at the Tables....My kids call them "table toys".....I call it "learning to sit still & focus on a task"

I have also allowed center free play but with more control...i.e...pairing up certain children and limiting how many in each area.....

My days seem to go smoother this way!

Annalee.....me too! I allow 3 kids at a time in the playroom. At drop off time I try to pick the 3 calmest kids. Works better this way!

[DaveA]

Paper products for afternoon snacks
Switching to shelves and baskets for toys instead of cubbies. Bought a bunch of baskets at the hardware store when on sale. Makes rotating toys a breeze. Just grab and go.
Not so much for as "teaching tool" although it helps that as well, but this forum has been a great asset to me simply because it's a place to connect with others who know what we're going through.

[jenboo]

1. Online grocery shopping
2. As much outside time as possible
3. Growing a backbone

[Baby Beluga]

Our local grocery store implemented online grocery shopping where you order it, park in a special spot and they load the car for you. It is the greatest thing ever! I did my grocery shopping today during nap while watching Grey's Anatomy. Such a timer saver