Home daycare Essentials?

Question

I am about to open a home daycare ...I'll be catering to kids 2-6...can anyone give me any ideas on items that they purchased for their daycare that they can't live without and ...fun ideas to keep them busy... parents can you give me ideas on things you wish your daycare had ... that would make the daycare better for your children.. example: a pool, swings ,certain books etc....

Answer 1

By a big container that will hold about 50 pounds of rice.  (Mine is narrow and fits under my baker's rack)  Purchase a cheap shower curtain.  spread it out on the floor, put the container with rice in the middle, and give the kids sand toys to scoop pour and measure.  My kids will sit forever and do this.  (Sand gets your house all dusty, rice isn't a choking hazard and any that falls on the shower curtain can be funneled right back in.  Have lots of books and songs ready.  They love to dance and make music.  My daycare kids love the chunky blocks, trainset, and puzzles.  Also I think they spend a the most amount of time in the house area (just a kitchen set I bought at a yard sale, and some play food)  They love to play dress up too.  I have some store bought things, but also a lot of thrift store finds that make great dress up clothes.  Just be careful of chhoking hazards.

Answer 2

Toys

Crayons

Paper

Scissors

Glue

Markers

Snacks

Meals

Outdoor play space

Indoor play space

children's books

children's music

children's dress up clothes/play props

blocks

science stuff-look at things that are around your house even such as leaves pipe cones and more

the list is endless look around the local stores for ideas, look around your house and yard

check on licensing regulations in your area, pools in some areas can only be in a home day care if there is so much water or they may require special fencing etc.

Answer 3

If you can afford it I would hire someone to help you.  You never know when sickness can hit and you need a backup for you.  

some of the things that you will need are

make sure you child proof your house.  Child locks on cabinets, if you have a fireplace  a rubber edge on it, plug covers, etc.

cribs, cots, crayons, scissors,washable paints,washable markers,  puzzle, books, drawing paper, construction paper, balls, riding toys,  table, chairs, playground equipment  fenced in play space........etc

Good luck on your Daycare

Answer 4

considering that you will have children less than 6 years old, play yards, mats and a changing table are a must have

the state will probably inspect you so it is better to make the house child proof, make sure the drawers were you keep dangerous stuff are locked, cleaning supplies have to be out somewhere where the kids can't reach them,depending on how your house is , you may need a gate to the kitchen, electrict outlets have to be sealed ,diaper gene, potty, just to mention a few good luck, first aid kit a must