I'm opening up my own home child daycare. I would appreciate ideas, websites with info on setting up?

Question

the different areas for the children, things I should do to make the day go smoothly, things that I will need, etc. Thank you very much.

Answer 1

As a parent I look for childcare who also provides a learning experience .  I think centers are a wonderful idea because it helps children learn without being board.  By center I mean, a family center with baby dolls, play kitchen, ect., animal center with different types of animals and barns, stables, science center with coke bottles filled with water and food coloring to make tornadoes, rocks, ect.  They play at a station for 15 minutes then move to another.  When done with all  centers have story time, bible verses if approved by parents and self, coloring.  If a childcare center does not offer a learning experience, I will not enroll my child.  Just something to keep in mind.

Answer 2

Try to have a rountine.  Also, I had my own home daycare and it can be exhausting.  What got me was when I accepted a newborn, and a 13 month old, and her 5 yr. old sister all at once.  Plus my own.  Start with just a few kids, preferably close in age if you can.......Carefully plan your errands, because it will be hard to do any.  You will need back up and would be good to have a helper.

Answer 3

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu5W3s_1Fo2...

Answer 4

I am family child care provider.  I have one room of my house devoted just to child care, where the children can play.  In this room I have a bulletin board where we have our calendar and circle time activities.  We have a house center with a play kitchen, play food, and play dishes.  I also put dress up clothes and baby dolls in this area.  I have a child-sized table in one area.  We can use this with the house center or for other actiivities.  I also have some bins that I have organized with blocks, barbies, matchbox cars, animals, puppets, little people, musical instruments, etc.  I try to make sure that I have equal toys for gender.  I try to show multiculturalism with toys,activities, and pictures.  We use the space in the room to play whatever we are working on at that time.  I use some rooms of my house sometimes for child care.  I have a listening center and book center in the living room.  We have soft play things (pillows etc) in the living room. We also use the computer in the living room.  In the kichen I have an arts/crafts organizer that we use at the table.  I have an easel.  My sand/water area is in the kitchen, too.  

Join a child care association for support and mentoring.  In my state they are organized by counties.

The most important advice I can give you is organize your day but be willing to be flexible. There are a ton of websites that can help you with activities to do each day.  Here are a few of my favorites.

www.preschoolprintables.com

www.letteroftheweek.com

www.enchantedlearning.com

www.preschoolrainbow.org

Good Luck and have fun with it!

Answer 5

Check out www.CCVillage.com

You'll find everything you need to get started!

There is a small monthly fee, but it's worth it! Besides printable business forms and food menus you get tons of activities to do with the kids.

There are new activities each month, with pictures, clear instructions and printable patterns.

Activities include art, group activities, movement, activity sheets, certificates and lots of other printables.  There's even a forum and early childhood links.