Does anyone else do In Home Daycare?

Question

If you do, what are your program activities? Any suggestions on what to do for fun? I'm already done with my 'handbook' that I had to make (to be a registered NY provider) but I wanted to make sure I have everything in there before I printed it out. Thanks

Answer 1

I think the abeka and sun shine express are a great way to get started. but once you start doing them you will notices that you need to add allot to them, cause they get boring. do the cheaper one to get a idea. then make one of your own. my parents love that no one has the same program.

Answer 2

I don't do home care anymore but I did it or 14 years before I went into center based care.

I had computer instruction, planned field trips to storytime at the library, swim lessons (i had a pool in my yard and the neighbor teen was a licensed guard), the exercise bus came to our home once a week for gymnastics, and i had a friend who was an accred. art teacher who did art 2 days a week and another friend who was a music teacher who did music two days a week.  and my assistant was bi-lingual so they got spanish lessons.

Answer 3

I have a home child care. My biggest selling point is that I offer preschool to my children who are 2 1/2 and up. I use Abeka which cost a lot, but you could go online and buy a curriculum like Funshine Express or Moose Goose Times (I tried both of these before I started using Abeka).

Do you have a skill or hobby you enjoy doing, such as playing piano or gardening? You could offer these activities to your students.

Also I would take advance of any outside activities/programs you can find in your community. You could offer to take your children to the library once a week for story time, or to the pool twice a week for swimming lessons. It may takes a little work and time on the phone doing the research on these activities, but the children will enjoy them and the parents will appreciate you doing activities with their children they wish they had time to do.

Answer 4

Program Activities:  We are moving into "preschool" since the younger ones are now going to be 2.5 yrs.  They are definately showing preschool readiness.  Here are things we cover daily.

Free play:I rotate toys every two weeks making sure there is an alphabet, numeracy, fine motor, blocks, instruments, dramatic play toys available.  Everything has it's place and containers and shelf is labeled.

Crayon exploration--- imagination paper, theme related, shape related, color changes etc. (during free play)

Calendar, including weather and abc, 123, shape, theme related, and bible song.

We focus on a nursery rhyme a week and I do a simple language activity with the rhyme every day.

We do a group literacy/alphabet lesson (hands on materials...very little worksheets...you will find that most "curriculums" that you purchased are work sheet orientated and the "arts" are not very process orientated.

We break into "centers"... an art center, writing/fine motor, math/numeracy (usually I'm with this child), and sensory.  There is a simple task for them to complete and then they can explore the materials as they wish or use the writing tub (theme related writing material).  We hope to be adding a computer for the children soon as well.

I get board and paper books related to the theme from the library and they change every two weeks with the theme.

The alphabet, numeracy, shape charts change once a month.

It's busy here but they love it and so do I.  Young children are capable of much if we give them the opportunity.