Daycare Christmas Celebrations

I wish I could havery read that article. I have a very good friend who is a psychologist and works in schools. The way that she teaches children about this holiday "christmas" is amazing more kind of organic way and meaningful to children (not focused on what or how much they will get or any idea of commercialism involved) FirSt her environment won't look as a Christmas store decorations were made from nature if possible . Second
The main idea "peace and love" she will do activities with them to demonstrate it, by helping each other by teaching them the meaning and word of "kind", third she will tell them how to demostrate "kindness"; she slowly will place in their little minds and ask what can show "appreciation and kindness" (a special gift?); so she will bring all recycled materials, books, pretty ribbons etc. And ask what they can do for that someone special. Children loved it they will make drawings, collage etc. And wrap it in gift paper and ask the teacher to write to who is going the gift.

So, from this lesson I have also learned that my friend applies the same philosophy at her home. Her gifts are home made and also her family's gifts. She told me she will probably buy few things that they need and will use it. But the highlight of all was the homemade gifts. And I also asked for some families that will be too much. And she answered it is done during the year. Some gifts could be simple as "time bonus checks", such as "I'll clean the kitchen today"; "I'll help with the garden", " bake your favorite cookies" etc.

We also know, how younger children love the idea of giving. Always give little flowers, rocks etc. The main idea is the "meaning of the gift" they can decorate or paint a special rock etc. This teaches them that gifts aren't always found in stores. And still considered "especial" because you invested time in it.

Isn't that great. I was amazed with the philosophy and started also applying it here.

Funny how different some of us are. Thanks for sharing.

This is a once a year event, certainly doesn't stress me out at all, and certainly doesn't cost my family anything. My daycare party involves them on the prep side, and on the actual party side so they are not missing out on mum time. It is something we do together which takes organisation, collaboration, teamwork and these are important character and life skills which without these kinds of instances, my kids would be of a significant defecate. I think this kind of thing actually makes them more caring because they put others before themselves all the while feeling good about their actions and how they can benefit others. Plus, lets be honest, kids whose mothers work full time outside of the home probably see their children less. My kids see me far more than the neighbour whose kids go to before and after school club or daycare, and come home after a 10-12 hour day away from their parents with their commute and still don't play with their children because they have to make dinner, do laundry are tired and cranky quite often and exhausted. I make breakfast every day for my children, make dinner daily, or even better with my children because I am home, am here to help with homework, my children have an ever extended family with the families I care for and all the while, I am always here for them. I find it hard to believe that children of a daycare provider see their children less than that of a parent working outside of the home. My children learnt valuable life lessons by putting others first. My daughter who is 15 but has been involved in the daycare since age 4 developed kitchen skills over the years, prepping daycare meals, putting together a meal plan for the party food, prepping it, cooking it and plating it up. All things that would have been much more time consuming and more work had I worked outside of the home full time. My son who will be 14 in 4 weeks, cleaned out the cars with my husband and loaded and unloaded the cars. He set up some activities in the rental hall, and both my kids had a tremendous amount of fun decorating and playing with the children without my request. Maybe they would have preferred to spend the weekend on computers and watching Netflix, but this "obligation" taught them that in life there are many things we do that are not optional and maybe not what we initially would choice to do. However, this has taught them how much positivism and joy can come from our acts of kindness towards others and while I do not follow the outdated philosophy of "don't be selfish" and/or "put others before yourself", I teach my kids self care without being selfish. My children had a lot of fun with this and not one moment was stressful for any of us. I guess everyone is different and that is fine, but I don't believe that these kinds of things that happen but ONCE a year take anything away from a providers child or family. If you don't want to give up your time, then fine, but it seems that implying that it is somehow detrimental to family is in my opinion either an exaggeration, or simply that it is being executed in a poor way in the first place. The things my kids learn as a result of these types of things far outweigh the cons if there are really any to begin with.

The party was a great success. We had a cardboard house that was 5 ft high so the kids big and small could colour it in and stick decorations on and it is set up in the daycare room today for the kids to continue enjoying throughout the season. I chose this activity because it promotes team work and collaboration between the children in addition to having the parents and grandparents get involved with the tricky bits.

Cinnamon play dough ornaments were lots of fun and the new hopscotch rug was a big hit.

Everybody ate well at the party and I have food set for the week, and a little bit more in the freezer.

Santa visited and he read a story to the children and talked about good behaviour all year round and helping at home. Each child got a book as a gift, including my own two kids.

My families all stayed and helped to clean up which was amazing. My party was 3:30-5:30 and the rental was 3-6. I drove away by 6:10 which was awesome!

I thoroughly loved this Christmas party as I do each year. I love to see the families interact with their children and for me that is what Xmas is about. Family, quality time and love. I am happy to be a part of all of these families lives and this is just another opportunity for me to share at a festive time of year in fun celebrations!

I have a small party every year on the last day the kids are here, and I give them a gift. My big party is always on a weekend, I used to do it in my house, but I don't want to this year. I have way more kids and the kids have siblings, it's going to be bigger than last year's. I don't do much for the party though. Just some treats and fruit and veggie trays. I buy books for each kid from Santa, and with a large number of kids, I'm guessing it will be quite time consuming. By the time the kid gets brave enough to go visit, and get their present, and get their picture taken, that might be half of the party.

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Originally Posted by superfun

I have a small party every year on the last day the kids are here, and I give them a gift. My big party is always on a weekend, I used to do it in my house, but I don't want to this year. I have way more kids and the kids have siblings, it's going to be bigger than last year's. I don't do much for the party though. Just some treats and fruit and veggie trays. I buy books for each kid from Santa, and with a large number of kids, I'm guessing it will be quite time consuming. By the time the kid gets brave enough to go visit, and get their present, and get their picture taken, that might be half of the party.

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It's anyones guess how Santa will be received. I had one year where only one child would sit with him. This year was a great success and everyone had seen Santa within 20 minutes. I only ever book him for 30 minutes.

I held the party in my last home as the size and layout was perfect. There were 30 people at my party this year and I am happy to host it out of a rental hall to be honest.

I think if it is a large group would make sense a rental hall. But I'm also a bit confused.

When the Ministry of Education came up with the new regulations one of them being no more play dates in a daycare "home" (no more than five children per household); wouldn't a large group party at home be considered against that ruling?, and it wouldn't matter how many adults are present.

My guess is, maybe it is okay if you do it out of your work hours and every child is accompanied by their parent (s).

I have a friend also homedaycare provider and we decided to rent a hall for our play dates, due to this regulation. ANY idea?

I asked my agency about that-because I was going to do a weekend party where kids could be dropped off while parents go shopping. I would have ample supervision, but too many infants (here in NS you can 6 total, but only 3 under 3, regardless of number of adults).

They said it was fine because it was outside my operating hours, and it was a free event (so I was not a 'care provider' but rather a 'host'). I ended up deciding to just do a party on the last day, and for the part timers that aren't here that day, we'll do a craft and send them with a gift on their last day.

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Originally Posted by Peacefulbird

I think if it is a large group would make sense a rental hall. But I'm also a bit confused.

When the Ministry of Education came up with the new regulations one of them being no more play dates in a daycare "home" (no more than five children per household); wouldn't a large group party at home be considered against that ruling?, and it wouldn't matter how many adults are present.

My guess is, maybe it is okay if you do it out of your work hours and every child is accompanied by their parent (s).

I have a friend also homedaycare provider and we decided to rent a hall for our play dates, due to this regulation. ANY idea?

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It's a gathering of people, not childcare. I'm not supervising any children I am simply hosting and organizing and running a party. It is not working hours and it is not work for me. I think it's quite self explanatory. It isn't a gathering of multiple providers. If I was on the clock I'd still be fine because it's only my daycare kids in attendance anyway, not like there are other children putting me over ratio. Party in my house in previous years is just the same. They aren't paying for a service and I'm not providing one simply a venue and activities. All parents present and all parents caring for their own children.