Essentials for new daycare

[kdubw]

Thank you everyone. I definitely have all the safety stuff. Carbon detectors and fire extinguisher included. Meds are all in a lock box in our bedroom which is on a different floor. I have a small first aid kit up high in the playroom and a small ER room in the linen closet lol.
I did some more research and decided to use crib mattresses for nap time for older kids. They are fairly cheap in comparison to other alternatives. I have also ordered high chairs from Ikea. A few people here have posted about them. I also have a dedicated kitchen table that I will use for the kids and the chairs have nice big seats for those that are too big for the highchairs. Will get boosters as needed.
As for separating the older kids from my daughter, I'm not too worried. She's a little brute. I still have her "trapping devices" like her exersaucer and jolly jumper when I need to keep her stationary.
I think I'll get some more washcloths!
Its not so nice where I am! It snowed all day. Our backyard is a mess due to having to put in weeping tile last fall. Once the snow is gone, ground is thawed and mud has dried we are landscaping the whole thing so we will deal with out side then.

I'm just worried the toys I have are not going to keep the kids entertained?? I guess only time will tell!

[Suzie_Homemaker]

I'm just worried the toys I have are not going to keep the kids entertained?? I guess only time will tell!

You not actually need a lot of toys for day care but it is about keeping kids entertained. If children left to free-play, even with you, for long period of time, you dayhome could be in huge toy store but they will get bored.

I find changing up activities frequently is more important than volume of toys. - I have small house and so we have limited toys but we have variety and don't spend much time on free play.

I also suggest having key action to indicate activity about to change. Here we tidy away prior activity before moving on to next thing plus all children given chance to use washroom between activities so that is a big clue for even the smallest child.

Here. I have children come around 8am. We have free play until all here so no more than 30 mins. Toys get put away. Then we get ready for snack, children use washroom, wash hand and then eat. Then we go out for couple hours. Come back for lunch. children use washroom, wash hand and then eat. Little ones nap, bigger kids do their numbers and letters and worksheets. When everyone up, short time for free play before afternoon snack. Lots of different things, busy day, no time to get bored. This also reduces time for tantrums, sulks, arguments.

If spending lot of time with free play, the need for more variety of toys is greater.