I've never had trouble with clean up, which we have to do twice a day, after lunch so I can set up the beds and before the children go home. I sing a little clean up song and even the 22 month old boy sings along as he helps tidy, but it kind of sounds like 'Neen up, neen up'. Just teach them from the beginning as soon as they are walking to help you. I know there are some stubborn children but as long as the majority are helping then I just ask the one who isn't working to pick up cars only or blocks only to make a sort of puzzle or game or something for them. That works with my current group.

For slow eaters, ouch, I feel your pain! I had a girl who was the slowest eater I've ever seen in my life and she just graduated to JK last Sept. For the year before I talked to her and her Mom about getting her to speed up or she would lose a lot of weight when she started school and had a shorter time limit to eat. I started just giving her smaller portions and a little more if she actually finished, which was rare. I was getting really ticked about throwing food in the garbage and if we didn't have plans I would let her sit there forever sometimes. It's a special challenge!