Setting up play dates!

[little rascals]

Thanks ladies.
Reggio I don't think I would plan any play dates at someone's house or mine. Was thinking at parks or when they have some events for kids. I will have to see if there are any child care networks in my area.
Momof4 I may try kijiji for now and see how it goes. I think it Would be nice for the kids to interact with other children and being able to have an adult conversation would definitely be great!

[Inspired by Reggio]

... I think it Would be nice for the kids to interact with other children and being able to have an adult conversation would definitely be great!

I agree ~ one of the things I explain to potential clients who are on the fence about going out and about is that being able to get out to playgroups is a chance for children to master social skills needed for school in the larger setting they will be facing soon while not having to be in a 'large centre program' ALL day in order to get it ... it is the best of both worlds of the small family style ratio for the majority of day and all the perks that offers but exposure to some of the benefits of large group programs for developmental milestone mastery and even 'immune building' ... for example there are learning materials that some playgroups have that I just do not have the space or $$ to have in my small program so the children can explore those through the outings and being exposed to a larger 'germ presence' but on short term basis helps to build the kids immunities so that when they get to school they are not suddenly sick all the time due to that sudden influx of new germ exposure ... so my kids are rarely sick despite being exposed to playgroup germs because IMO while they are in my program here they are getting healthy fresh snacks and hot meals and really good sleep habits ~ so have resources to build those strong immunities when exposed to something so when they get to school and are suddenly brown bagging it without a nap they will not be dealing with trying to build an immunity to larger group germs as well with those reduced resources!

Meeting at parks allows a chance to play some of the large group games that are hard with just 5 mixed age group children to truly get the meaning or fun of them ... for example I often bring my parachute to park play dates and we can play some more games with that, or duck duck goose and other games that are just more fun when you have a few more children!

We have done things like 'Canada Day celebrations' at the park where each provider brings a different activity to do with the group like face painting, a creative art, a gross motor game and so forth so that there is a nice variety for the children of special things to do but each provider is only having to do ONE activity ~ that is another perk of centre care that I missed working for home but we can turn into a perk for us as well via public play dates

Isolation is the number 1 reason why home childcare providers burn out ~ if you can find ways to surround yourself with other passionate providers for play dates to reduce that isolation and provide in person resources for dealing with challenges in your program it can make the world of difference!