Green Olives & Ham

Do I really need that?

And do I really need a title for every single post?  I often wonder if I should just do a simple title or do something like the above and have you ask, what is this post going to be about?  Well, I always love a surprise, so I like the above title.

What I've been wondering and searching for is a list of the most important supplies for new folks starting child care in their home.  It is so expensive to start, wouldn't it be helpful to have an idea of exactly what you need.  You know the absolute must haves, not the absolute must wants.

Unfortunately, I don't have a list right now.  I could get one, but I'd have to buy someone's E-book and then of course I'd probably get in trouble for giving you the list rather than suggesting you buy the E-book.  So instead I'm going to come up with a list, but it will take some brainstorming and some googling and some time.  Isn't it funny, how I say that I googled something when the truth is I don't even use Google.

But I'd love thoughts on this.  Is there absolutely something that you must have when you first begin?  Because it must be so overwhelming at the beginning to think about safety, food, toys and other activities, nap mats, etc.  Feel free to leave comments and keep checking back because we'll have a list soon.

- Michelle

Daily Schedule

If you are just starting your daycare, you'll need to create a daily schedule.  The sample schedule below goes from 7:30-5:30.  I chose these hours because, in my experience, many parents seem to work 8-5, so giving them a half hour travel time seems pretty convenient. 

If you find that you're not getting clients, you may need to reconsider the hours that you're open.  I understand that you have a family life as well, but most people looking at daycares work full-time, and a daycare with hours such as 8-4 is not convenient for parents working full-time.

If you live near a hospital and are a morning person, you may want to consider hospital hours, which are sometimes 6:30-3:30.  You could contact someone in human resources to ensure that they do not have an on site childcare center and to determine your hours.  Then see if you could post a bulletin advertising your daycare to the hospital staff. 

You could also do this if you live near a large company.  You could see if the company could recommend your daycare to their employees.  Of course if you're a home based daycare and only licensed for a certain number of children, you may not want to do this with too large of a company.

Sample Schedule:

7:30-8:00:  Free play / awaiting for children to arrive

8:00-8:30:  Hand washing & Breakfast

8:30-9:00:  Coloring / play-doh, breakfast cleanup

9:00-9:15:  Morning Circle Time

9:15-9:45:  Art project

9:45-10:00:  Diaper changes / hand washing

10:00-10:15:  Morning snack

10:15-10:45:  Group activity

10:45-11:45:  Outside time (weather permitting)

11:45-12:45:  Handwashing / Lunch

12:45-1:00:  Diaper changes / handwashing

1:00-1:15:  Story time (preparing for nap)

1:15-3:00:  Nap time

3:00-3:15:  Diaper changes / hand washing

3:15-3:30:  Afternoon Snack

3:30-4:30:  Outside time (weather permitting)

4:30-5:00:  Movement & Music

5:00-5:30:  Diaper changes / hand washing / free play awaiting for parents

The above schedule may not work for everyone.  And remember that your day may not always go as scheduled, but that's okay! 

My general rules when creating this schedule are:

• Children eat every 2-3 hours
• Diaper changes every 2-3 hours (and as needed)
• Handwashing before children eat and after every diaper change
• Story time or some other wind down activity right before nap.

I also think it's important to let children know what is going to happen.  For example, 10 minutes until nap time, or 5 minutes until clean up.  This helps prepare children in advance, and it helps them to understand time.  They'll eventually realize that 5 minutes isn't a long time.

Feel free to post comments and/or your daily schedules!

- Michelle

State Requirements

I may sometimes offer advice in my blogs (I did say OFFER). I don't claim to be an expert on everything, but I do have opinions and what better place to offer them than in my blog?  If you choose not to accept all the advice that I offer, that is certainly your business.  But please listen to this one bit of advice:  If you are taking care of a child or a number of children in your home, you need to get licensed!  That's right, if you are taking care of only one child in your home and not even referring to yourself as a daycare, you should still be licensed.

If you're a nanny or a babysitter, and you're doing it in someone else's house, then you don't need a license.  This is strictly for those of you doing it in your home.  I'm going to be adding links to this blog, so you can see what is required in your state.  Reading your state requirements should be your first step.  Actually that should be your second step.  Your first step needs to be an assessment to make sure without one doubt that home daycare is the right business for you.

I know that in my good ole state of Massachusetts, it is illegal to care for children in your home without a license.  People are still doing it, but it's not a good idea.  I have a list of all the licensed child care providers at my fingertips in the state of Massachusetts.  When and if I decide to put my daughter in daycare, I will look at this list first.  I would not step foot in a daycare that has not taken the time to follow the rules and get licensed.  I urge other parents to do the same.

Until next time - thanks for listening,

- Michelle

Starting a Home Daycare

Are you a stay-at-home Mom who is considering life as in home daycare provider?  You're home already with your child.  You're looking to make some money while giving Susie some playmates.  It seems like a win win, doesn't it? But before you get too deep in doo doo, please do your research!

If you're a Mom or a Dad or anyone, then you already understand that children want what they want and they want it now.  They cry and scream and poop.  They are full of energy, and oh did I mention that they cry and scream and poop?  So keep this in mind as you begin your adventures in home daycare because you'll have multiple children crying and screaming and pooping, as they run or crawl around your house all day.

If you're a Mom or a Dad or anyone, then you already understand that children are amazing beings.  They have unique interests, strengths, and personalities.  These qualities need to be nurtured allowing them to develop physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually.  That is where you come in as a parent, and as an Early Childhood Educator.

Starting a home daycare is more than having a few toys and books on hand.  You are planning age appropriate activities for the children you are caring for.  You need daily schedules, lesson plans, and menus (making sure no one is allergic to peanuts, eggs, milk, or wheat etc).  You need to have a child friendly space setup that meets all of the safety requirements of the state.  You need to have policies in place that are addressed in a neat little (or not so little) parent handbook.  Are you feeling overwhelmed yet?  No, well there's also the whole issue of bookkeeping.  Now you must be overwhelmed!  Seriously, be overwhelmed. 

Starting home daycare is a big step and one that shouldn't be taken lightly.  I'm certainly not trying to dissuade anyone from doing this wonderful work with children, but I want everyone to do their research and have a plan.  I want everyone to realize that it's not always easy.  You'll have long days and stressful days, but mostly you'll have happy days.

Until next time, keep listening (to the children, not to me) -

- Michelle

For additional information on starting your home daycare:  Click Here!