No Schedule People?

[blueclouds29]

Are there any of you out there that don't have a schedule? that just sort of wings it throughout the day?
I do, i have a 9 month old, a 12 month old, a 17 month old and a 2 year old. The two little ones take a different nap time everyday and the two older ones are from 1-3. But its so hard to do anything when someone is always sleeping. We do do art time, outside time, and book time but its a different time everyday.
Just wondering if I'm the only one.

[lil angels]

Oh no we have everything almost scheduled around here everyone seems to be a lot happier that way. Mine are between 4 months and 8 yrs. Also if parents need to drop or pick up they know when we are eating or sleeping so they know what times to avoid.

[daycare]

I know that everyone is different, I could not live without a schedule.
For me, I think that the kids days go smoother when they know a routine and what will happen next.....

[MommyMuffin]

I dont have a rigid schedule. The only things that are really scheduled are naps, meal times, arrival and departure and storytime.

I dont know how all of you fit in art, crafts, learning time all in one morning. For example today after breakfast we went outside and without meaning to everyone got wet!! I thought I would just spray down the grass while they played but then they started to run through it and I stopped saying no and just let them all run through. They had so much fun.

So today we spent lots of time drying off, changing diapers, new clothes. Then free play while I made lunch.

So it is really very different everyday.

[blueclouds29]

I dont have a rigid schedule. The only things that are really scheduled are naps, meal times, arrival and departure and storytime.

I dont know how all of you fit in art, crafts, learning time all in one morning. For example today after breakfast we went outside and without meaning to everyone got wet!! I thought I would just spray down the grass while they played but then they started to run through it and I stopped saying no and just let them all run through. They had so much fun.

So today we spent lots of time drying off, changing diapers, new clothes. Then free play while I made lunch.

So it is really very different everyday.

That's the same exact thing as me. Everyday is different because i have such young ones all on different schedules. I'm trying really had to get the two younger ones on the 1-3 nap time. Some days it works other days they can't make it. I have circle time whenever everyone is in a great mood so it could be in the morning or sometimes i do after pm snack.
we do however have breakfast, lunch and pm snack at the same time.

[cheerfuldom]

naps and meals are always the same every day. other activities fit in however. sometimes we will just play outside most of the day and other times not. I do accommodate a bit like on Mondays, most of the kids need to go down for an early nap but otherwise, the routine is the way I keep my sanity in this job. You can also schedule a break or lunch this way and have a guaranteed down time when you can at least go to the bathroom, ha ha!

[cheerfuldom]

we posted at the same time....OP, why not do the two youngers on one schedule and the two olders on another? At least that way you don't have as much time when everyone is up and needing your attention. Thats better than four different schedules.

[nannyde]

Schedule here

I even have my puppies on a schedule. They take a nap when the kids take a nap. They are all snugglicious in their little kennel as I type.

[Mom_of_two]

Naps and meals always the same!! Same with my own girls and bedtime and weekend schedule. Just works well, they get used to the routine. Other activities I wing it.

[blueclouds29]

I would but my one 12 month old get up at a different time everyday. One day its 6:45am the next its 8:00am. So when he gets up early he's ready for an early nap. Other days i can get him to 1:00 for a nap. My 9 month old is teething so last night mom said he was up a lot just crying. So today he was ready for a nap at 10:00.
Its hard with those 2 right now. The old two are on a schedule

[Sunshine44]

I have a general schedule I like to follow, but some days I just go with it. All of mine are under 2. I've found the older they get the easier it is to have more of a schedule.

[sharlan]

I have a general schedule, but it's not rigid.

[momma2girls]

I have a schedule, more for the older children though. I have many more activities, circletime , etc. for the older children. Currently I do not have any older children(over the age of 2)
My babies do down for am nap, that is when I do circletime, weather, date, etc.) then we have am snack, outside fun, then dinner for all, then afternoon naps, snacks at 3:30 then playtime, then home.
There are activities in there throughout the day for the younger ones on different days- music, dancing, movie day, reading, fingerplays, nursery rhymes, puzzles, etc.

[Sugar Magnolia]

7:30-8:30 arrivals, free play
8:30-9:00 arts and crafts
9:00-9:30 choice of: block center, dramatic play room or fine motor activity boxes
9:30-10:00 clean ups, hand washing and snack
10:00-11:00-outside time
11-11:30. 3-5 year olds "big Kids time" w/ lead techer in room1. 1-2 year olds "Little Kids Time" w assistant in room2. (3rd staffer (me!)makes lunch)
11:30-12:00 lunch
12:00-12:30 circle time, story time
12:30-1:00 cleanups, nap preparations, quiet time
1:00-3:00 nap
3:00-3:30 put away nap mats, blankets, shoes on, prepare snack
3:30-4:00 snack, and kids may free play while awaiting outside time. My husband plays violin for them while snacking.
4:00-4:30 outside time for 3-5 year olds only (too hot in FL for 1-2's between april and october)
4:30-5:30 free play, pickups, may watch educational video or PBS childrens.

I think we would crumple up and die without our schedule. The times are pretty set in stone, this helps older ones tell time. When we have a new child start, they quickly learn that the schedule because it is so routine for the established kids.

You have 12, 18 and 24 months? I think that age is perfect for learning routines. Routines make them feel secure and confident they know what's going on. We are a small center of 15 kids and we take a "multi-age approach" so all kids do the daily activities together, except from 11-11:30 when olders do school readiness activities in a seperate room so they can concentrate and not be disturbed by littles grabbing their stuff, interfering. I LOVE my schedule!!!! The schedule is my friend, keeps the day flowing smoothly.

[jen]

I have a loose schedule that is looser in the summer. Naps for preschoolers and toddlers are consistent ALWAYS as are meals during the school year to make sure afternoon kindergardners get on the bus...

Breakfast
Freeplay
Lunch
Story
Nap
Snack
Outside

**We have outside visitors come for special programs once a week and obviously those are scheduled...every Wednesday at 9 or 11 depending on the week.