Tricks of the trade!

Hey Everyone!

Every once and a while I see a new thread, like one I just read, about a fellow provider struggling with their decision to open a home daycare. This job is tough, there is no doubt about it! I thought it might be a good idea if we could share little 'tricks of the trade', things we have figured out through doing our jobs that have made our long days easier :) Whether it be a really great activity or a new way of doing a daily task-share whatever makes your job easier and more enjoyable!

For example, I find doing arts and crafts in high chairs (when possible) contains the craziness and lets us all enjoy the creative process! :)

Instead of having everyone stop what they're doing and go to the potty, change diapers I get them to go one at a time while they are playing (about 10 mins before we are going to leave). This accomplishes a few things, they are in a hurry to go so they can go back and play and it is not an overwhelming process to get everyone done and it gets done quickly. I will also put on splash pants while they are playing e.g. grab one of the little ones, throw on their pants then they go back to playing and when it is time to go to the school run/go outside they are already mostly done.

I have my space super kid friendly so the kids are free to go anywhere in the space and it is safe for them.

Make snack or lunch during morning free time

Spend as much time outside as you can manage. They sleep better, fight less and it's good for them!

Ask parents to apply sunscreen to their child before/upon arrival. Then you just need to reapply once.

Three words: video baby monitor!

torontokids- We run our daycares VERY similarly!!! :)

* I do a toy rotation so I don't have a TON of toys out everyday-it keeps things from getting super hectic during free play

* The children help me clean the toys each week. They love it and it helps them learn that they are a part of a community that they help take care of :)

I give the kids toothbrushes after lunch to "brush their teeth" it buys me time to sweep my floor so the mess is not all over the house and they are not wining to get out after they are done eating :-)
They LOVE it and are super cute when they help each other brush their teeth!

Everything in my house is kid-friendly and kid-accessible. The kids all have their own cubbies at my front door and are able to reach their own coats and shoes. They have their own cupboard in my kitchen and can grab their own cutlery and plates. This promotes so much independence in them and de-stresses my day so much!

I have a separate daycare space from my own living space. the parents do drop off and pick ups directly in the daycare so the only time the kids enter into "my" space is for naps. I have each child in a separate room in a pack and play and that way no one wakes up anyone else if they are crying or if they wake up early. I have fans running randomly throughout the sleeping area as well. this way I make sure I get a peaceful break every afternoon which you all know is so important. I also spend a good chunk of the morning outside, makes for better eaters and sleepers. I don't focus too much on crafts. I do up the dishes as the kids are eating so once everyone is done so are the dishes. while the kids are having afternoon snack I quickly vacuum the eating area and I don't stress too much about the odd crumb after that. I'm pretty laid back so ....if its not perfect..... that's ok..... I shut down at 430 and go upstairs so to make dinner. having a separate daycare space makes me feel like im not always at work. I rarely go into the daycare after hours.

I see a lot of people writing posts about crazy Monday kids. I've never had that problem because we go to our local library for storytime every Monday and that involves a long walk each way. We come home to lunch and the children have an extra long nap that day because they haven't napped properly on the weekend. So, go on an outing every Monday possible.

I also spend every single morning outside that is possible, sometimes even when it's raining lightly. There's nothing wrong with puddle jumping. I insist that parents leave splashpants here year round. I have drawstring bags that contain sunhats and sunglasses all summer and extra hats and mitts all winter so we are never without. I even ask if an extra pair of snowpants can be left here all winter. There should never be a reason to skip going outside.

My crockpot is my saviour! Or I'll make the meatloaf or casserole the night before so it's ready to pop into the oven. Puree spinach, cauliflower, onions, peppers and hid them in dishes like this.

I have circle time at lunch or snacktime because the children are in their booster chairs and captive audiences, lol.

I change the babies diapers and then call out "Potty time for big kids" so the toilet trainers head straight for the bathroom without any questions.

But most of all, always remember that freeplay is ok. What do children do no matter where they are? They PLAY! It's ok to let them play.

What a great post! My best advise is routine, routine, routine. Toddlers love to know what's happening next. As soon as I start assembling snack, they are already tidying up...without a word from me! As soon as they finish lunch they are waiting for wipe up then are happily running to the stairs to their nap rooms. I never have to worry about them running outside ahead of me, they know to sit on their little bums on the bench until the last little one has had a hand out. It makes my day a breeze & theirs stress free and happy.

Dream LD I think the same this is a great post! You ladies have given great advice... My contribution is telling you that I have found great bibs at Walmart. I think they are a new model, because I have not see them before in there. They are super cute with animal prints, but the best part is that they are made of what I think is a kind of fabric in the back and plastic in the front (they are much better quality that the plastic ones they usually have on display). They have a food catcher with buttons that can be open when you need to clean them . They catch food much better than the usual plastic ones, they are very comfortable and very easy to clean. I found that the usual plastic ones start to be smelly if you do not clean them properly or food could get stuck in the corners of the food catcher sometimes even if you wash them...

What a wealth of info you all are!!! :)