HI, questions from the new girl.

[adorable ages]

HI I'm new to this site and was wondering if I could get a little insight from the parents who have their little ones in dayhomes. What is/was most important to you when finding a provider, what hrs to you think to be the best, what are your expectations for play vs. learning time at a dayhome.??? thanks

[SillyGirl_C]

My child is in a daycare, not dayhome right now, but if I was looking I would want:
- safety! 1st aid courses etc.
- time of 7am - 5:30/6ish to allow for parent to work and have time to drop off/pick up.
- Reasonable child to care giver ratio + compatible age ranges of kids
- Hot meal included...snacks can be brought from home or provided
- Basic daily structure...not set in stone. ie: Outdoor time (if weather good), art twice a week, free play for X/hr per day, naps roughly x to x...etc., educational component spread throughout (letter of the week, numbers, colors), no TV, have toys that are rotated for 'freshness' that teach motor and reasoning skills + imagination encouragement (shapes, puzzles, latches, ride em cars)
- Something setting your care apart...ie: Weekly toddler yoga Or spring hatching of chicks Or drum circle....something unique
Then again, I could be a totally over the top parent with mucho expectations. I am curious to what the group says

[adorable ages]

Where do you live, in Calgary,? My plan for the fall is very structured though fun. 830 snack, 9 music,915 story time, 945 free play , 10 to 1045 outdoor door play, 1045 clean up & snack time ect ect. New things daily, but changing activities daily

[adorable ages]

I'm new to this. But why can one post get close to a hundred views and no replies ? I thought the point of the site was to help each other out. ......

[Suzie_Homemaker]

I'm new to this. But why can one post get close to a hundred views and no replies ? I thought the point of the site was to help each other out. ......

I think maybe because not many parents come to this forum. And the providers all do different things, hours, service depending on local needs.

I am in PEI. Most people are fishing industry, tourism or office hours. I do the office hours people - so my hours are 8am to 5.30pm - we are a little place with not much traffic and not in the city. People do not travel far to their work just into town.

My friends in Nova Scotia have more demand for shift work and military. Lots of hospitals in NS for the Maritimes so lots of nurses and doctors who do shift work.

It's changes a lot base on location and the type of work people do near you. Then you need to see what type of worker you want to come to your day care and do hours that work for them.

[BurlingtonMom]

Also - I have my 2 y/o in a dayhome because I like the home setting - the smaller groups, the more personal care. When he is 3+, we will be looking to transition him into a pre-school as for us in Ontario, school starts at 3/4!

[superfun]

There's not a lot of parents on here. It's mostly providers.

[adorable ages]

If your child is in day care why did you choose that over day homes?

[adorable ages]

Oh I thought the point was to get parents. Hmmmm well since u r here. Do u run a day home
.?

[superfun]

Yes, I'm a childcare provider. My program is much different though, so I'm not likely to be much help to you. I use a very play based, child led approach.