In nice weather we are outside till pickup and our supper is later. Often in summer we use the BBQ. Other days we are inside and I have toys upstairs. I go ahead and start supper, do whatever is needed for the evening. I sort of work off the school schedule with "school" running from 9-3, care for an hour before and after ie covers 8-4. Anything before or after that is basically me babysitting in the true meaning of the word and that means child just plays, tv is on in the mornings and end of day is puzzles, toys at the table while I am cooking, etc. My own kids are now older and only one is left at home. This schedule goes back to when time was precious and kids had to be fed and be places after such as scouts, piano lessons, soccer etc. I just got so used to doing it that way. Have never had parents complain. There is no reason that we need to be face to face with the kids the whole ten hours. It is important they learn to entertain themselves so I provide activities and they choose to do them or not and they have the option of being in the kitchen where I am to do them or in the diningroom which is our upstairs playroom. This does't work of course for people that use only their basement for daycare. The trick in that case is putting on a crockpot in the morning and then supper is ready as soon as the last child leaves.