[mama kate]

Hi Mamas! I currently run a daycare out of my home pt but am switching over to FT in a few weeks with a full load of Munchkins (6! Between 6 weeks & 3)- Which coming from a family of 10 I'm fine with!)

Anyways. We are redoing our basement to have more space - Our tiny toy room is getting cramped & since we spend so much time outside now it isn't an issue but in January it will be!
I'm basically looking for a little input on your "big" issues/things you want/need in a provider ( I was formerly a nanny/nursery school teacher but our DD hasn't been in a daycare setting)
What types of things would you look for around the child's space (obviously safety/cleanliness which isn't an issue -Its clean & safe)
What are your favorite things to see your child has done during the day?

What types of activites does your child seem happy doing/trying.

With the space change we are actually going TV free for at least the daycare hours - Which we don't watch tons of but more than I would like to use because I've run out of ideas!

(partial reason for space change)

I just sent out a huge request list to stock a craft cupboard & have gotten a great response.

Areas downstairs in the "daycare area"

Dress up - Complete w/ Mirrors, silks, dress up clothes,old purses

Play Kitchen -wooden stove (refridgerator is on my wish list for DD for X-mas!)
Complete w/ lots of wooden food (some plastics but not much) aprons, hot pads, cooking utensils

Baby Doll area - dollies, strollers, changing table for dolls, beds, clothes, feeding items, etc (wish list is for some slings)

Adult size table fit with booster seats for art projects, eating together, coloring
Childsize picnic table for the same or just playing
(I would love to get a daycare /preschool size table eventually.)

Reading/snuggle area - couch/large pillows

Looking to make a tactile area w/ water/dry rice/pasta type table.

I also have pak n plays or nap mats for children of appropriate ages.

Large changing table area with everything in 1 place! (actually a large DH built workbench type table At my height with safety measures taken)

What I want on the walls (remember in the middle of transforming) sandpaper letters/ colored alphabet / Pictures of Real animals / the earth / Diffferent people (sort of Montessori-ish type pictures)
We also have plenty of toys both mainstream & wooden. LOTS of books & music is always playing - all types. Lots of puzzles as well
We also have a large fenced in play area outside with junglegym,sandbox & tons of ride on toys (The ride on toys will come in for winter)

Anything I'm missing - If there could be 2 things for your provider to offer what would it be?

Thanks!

 

[hulamama]

It sounds like you have a great set-up. I know that for both my dds, for the time that they were at our infant to 3yo. daycare, they both love/d storytime and songs. Our dc has a little library with books and a rug for them to sit on, and 2), they loved dress-up/kitchen areas to play house in. And lots of dolls.

Good luck.

 

[Noah's mommy]

I agree-that sounds wonderful. My provider uses her finished basement with a separate entrance and I know she loves the space. She even has a "wet bar" that she transformed into a mini kitchen. I really like how my provider lets the children help her sweep and wash dishes-so maybe some small brooms, spray bottles, rags, dish tubs, and a drying rack? Your place sounds exactly like what I would want for my kiddos.

 

[ashleyhaugh]

i did home daycare for a while, and right now work at a center...
little tykes makes some pretty nice sand/water tables, if you dont mind the plastic, my friend who also does daycare has this one, and its nice, folds for storage, etc

this collection looks nice too

our parents enjpy artwork and projects. orientaL trading has some fun stuff, you could also just use it for ideas too

ummmm..... i cant think of anything else right now, but i'll keep my eye on this thread

 

[DoulaClara]

Maybe some types of blocks- wooden shapes and other things (empty thread spools...) to stack and build with, as well as animal and people manipulatives. Even though there are small babies around, you could also add some fine motor manipulatives and put them in lidded shoe boxes- for example beads and shoelaces. Legos, geoboards, pegboards...

Sounds really awesome, though!

Clara

 

[mama kate]

Thanks Mamas!
We do have a large set of wooden blocks, so wooden shapes sorters, & a couple bead maze things. I just got a couple new lacing toys for DD's birthday.
I will definately be looking in to the mission furniture from little tykes - Very affordable & classic. Plus I totally forgot about oriental trading Co. I'll have to get a new catalog sent to me. Thanks!
I would LOVE to have a wetbar type area but will have to make due w/ the fridge & the basin sink for a few months. I definately want to get some child size cleaning items - Emma is a nut about cleaning as well.
We definately do storytime a LOT To where I've had to put a bit of a cap on it - THe kids I have would litterally sit for HOURS & have me read! I love it but my throat can only handle so much!
Thanks for all the input! Its great!

 

[Amydoula]

Your daycare sounds really great! I would pick up a bunch of cars/trucks too if you don't already have some and maybe a little garage. That is what my DS plays with the most at his babysitter's house.

Amy

 

[pinuchkin]

We've *loved* our care providers physical play area indoors -- big kid-safe beanbags, little beanbag-tossing games, stuffed climb-on vinyl pads and little-tot slides/steps.

 

[ashleyhaugh]

yeah you definatly should have a gross motor area
different rooms at my center have different things.... the toddler rooms had the climbers sort of like this , but the ones that are smaller, if you know what im talking about
i had a slide, and something similar to this when i did daycare

my center uses a big variety of foam climbing blocks , some like these, and a ton of others too