Some questions from a Newbie!
Hi there! I just opened my daycare a couple of weeks ago and have a few questions on what you would do. My 16 month old charge is a dream to watch and I am so glad my first experience has been so positive. Her usual nap is 1- 1.5 hours but sometimes she wakes after 45 mins. In that situation what do you do? My other kids nap for 1.5 hours and my 5 year old does quiet activities and/or watches a tv show during nap time. I've taken to sticking her on the couch with Barney while I finish up my afternoon prep before the other kids get up, but I'm wondering if there is a way to help her sleep longer.
Circle time- do you make the toddlers sit with the group or let them wander? If you make them sit do you just keep getting up, fetching them and returning them? It seems like that would be more disruptive than letting them play quietly nearby. Usually both my toddlers (14 and 16 mos) will wander back for a favourite story or song then wander off again for a bit, but they are listening to all the songs and stories while playing quietly. I don't want to set a double standard though if/when I get other, older kids in care.
Trips to the park- both my 14 and 16 month old just love climbing the stairs at the park:rolleyes: so far I've taken to parking my tushie on the stairs and helping them so they don't fall. 14 mos old knows to climb down backwards but 16 mos wants to walk down and isn't coordinated enough! I've tried showing her how to back down but she's not getting it yet. And sometimes I need to get up and deal with the other kids, but I can't leave the toddlers on the stairs to imperil themselves! what do you do in that situation?
Other than that I'm happy to report everything is running really smoothly! :D