Am I doing enough?

[playfelt]

What you are doing is a great basic start and a good schedule. A lot depends on the ages of the kids you have in care as to what you do for "circle time". It doesn't have to be a long period where you do everything at once but can be like what you are doing now spread out in smaller segments throughout the day. I agree that reading stories is a good way to start circle time. Gather the children together to read some stories and then use the theme of the story to do an activity. Then you lengthen the time according to the interest level of the children and it will vary from day to day. Try to build time into the day when you talk about things like colours and shapes and counting but at the same time don't fret if it doesn't happen. Just plan a game for the next day that does include that skill. Make sure to have some toys out that also teach those concepts so the children can choose them if they want. Sometimes academics/educational stuff is accomplished while commenting on what the children are playing as you count and talk about the colours of the cars they have lined up or the blocks they are stacking.

There is a shift away from formal adult led teaching in preschool/daycare and more time spent doing child chosen freeplay activities. What you are doing in your day meets that criteria. Just try to sneak in some academics into the play, offer short sessions where the children can join you for a story, songs, fingerplay etc.

I see that you are in Ottawa (I am in Orleans). Have you joined the CCPRN to take advantage of their resources and workshops.