Fine-tuning our schedule - story, potty, teeth, nap, ...

[DCMom]

I'm looking for advice/tips on getting through the time between lunch and naptime. I need the best sequence of:
- handwashing
- toilet/potty/diaper
- lunch
- mid-day cleanup of play area
- brushing teeth (and how do you brush 5 kids teeth in relatively little time?)
- quiet story
- nap/quiet time
I'm just starting out, so am trying to find the best way. I'd like to do a good deal after lunch (cleanup, story), but our youngest DCK is too tired to make it through much after lunch. To get youngest DCK to bed as soon as possible, I've started putting youngest to bed, then reading a story to older kids in their room afterwards.
Thoughts?
TIA

[Inspired by Reggio]

If we are home in the morning instead of out at playgroup or outside than ,y crew and I tidy up the playroom at 11:30 before we head up to start lunch prep because the playroom is on a different floor so they cannot be in there while I do lunch prep so after playroum tidy up than we come upstairs and the option is to engage in table activity in the kitchen (sensory, puzzles or simple open creative like coloring) or quietly watch a bit of TV in the livingroom if you are over 2 and able to manage with that option ~ if you do not sit quietly you have to come back to the kitchen where I can directly see you.

We each lunch as a group ~ everyone is required to stay and keep us company until we are all done.

After lunch we wash hands and faces and brush teeth AT the table cause this is just what has worked best for me with all the age groups ~ every child has a labelled cup in a bin in my kitchen cupboard that contains their toothbrush and paste and while they are finishing up the lunch I get the brushes all lined up with toothpaste and than after we are washed up I pass out the brushes and cups of water and we have spittoon bowl for rinsing ~ as they finish brushing I rinse up their brush and cup and put it side dry on counter and I wash the spitton bowl during quiet time and than put the supplies away in cupboard.

After tooth brushing I read a couple stories / finger play songs and so forth and than I pass out books to the children I change the diapers the younger ones and put them to bed and I call the toilet trained ones from the table one at a time into the bathroom to go and repeat until they are all on their beds ... if I have a wee one who is not coping I pass out the books and get that one into bed and than come back to read a few to the rest. Once everyone is on their bed I come around and 'tuck them in' and make sure they all have what they need to sleep and say rest tight ~ and quiet time begins!

This works for my crew to keep it smooth and organized ;)

[Crayola kiddies]

I do clean up before lunch and do a story then and as each one finishes lunch I wash hands and face and do diaper change (I don't do teeth brushing ) and then off to bed, all my kids are in bed at 12-12:15.

[kidlove]

cleanup in the play area takes place before washing for lunch, if the room is not picked up? 'lunch is not served'. :) after cleanup, all kids go to bathroom to wash hands, I try to encourage the older kids to help the younger (giving myself a little more prep time) if not old enough to help I usually try to have lunch ready and prepped on counter, so when the "i wants" start during lunch I can best accomidate all without feeling too overwhelmed. (hard to get through lunch most days without feeling a little overwhelmed) :) (I do always have the basics such as napkins and rags for spills on hand at the table, and a filled small pitcher for self help when the kids "want more!" water. I encourage as much independence as possible. (helps me and them) after the children have finished all their food, they know the drill, get up from the table take your garbage to the garbage and your plate to the sink, then off to the potty, wash and get out your blanet and pillow...story and nap. (while the older kids are going potty by themselves, I will wash up and diaper the younger ones and get them into bed before story) while nap is taking place, I do the adult work...clearing the rest of the table, sweep the floor, wash the dishes. :) Don't brush teeth here, have tried in the past and dont have alot of participation with all parents...gave up. :)

[Momof4]

We also clean up before lunch or just after lunch because I have to set up playpens in the play area and take them down daily after naptime. I have the older children wash their hands in the bathroom while I put the food on the table before all 3 meals that are served here but I use wipes to wash the babies hands before giving them their food after they are in their booster seats.

I send the older children to go potty before we go out in the morning and before and after naptime while I change the babies diapers. I only have the older children brush their teeth after lunch because it keeps slipping my mind to ask for toothbrushes for my babies. Thanks for the reminder! I just put a tiny bit of toothpaste on their brushes and let them do it themselves.