I used to think that I was going to play with the children at all times while they were awake, but a year and a bit into running the daycare, I realize that they really don't often WANT me to play with them. My morning consists of watching them play while I surf the net, drink my coffee, etc. If they need/want me, I will get down and play, but they never do...hehe. We then do circle/story and learning time depending on the day, and then we go outside, lunch, then nap! During nap, I normally sit on my rear and fold laundry.

I have never had any probs prepping snack and lunch with the kids here. They just play. I can see and hear them while I am in my kitchen, and as others have said, I already know what I am serving, and it takes 5 mins tops to have it on the table.

So. To answer your question, I get a lot of down time!