Where can I find FREE childcare / daycare ideas for activites, forms, and / or menus?

Question

I am about to start my own at-home daycare and I would love any help. Thank you!!!

Answer 1

There are many a website out there for activities.  I would suggest you do themes and then search that specific theme.  www.childcareland.com has some free printables.

As for menus...I've yet to come across any websites.  I participate in the Food program...do you have that option where you live?  They reimburse me so much money per meal and I follow their guidelines.  They have monthly menu suggestions and recipes and so on that we get on occasion.  If you are interested, you can email me and I can give you some that have worked for me.  Presently I have 6 children...5,4,3,2.5,2, and 1.

Forms:  I find that there are many forms out there available but you really don't need any other than what the State provides because they are a requirement.  Emergency cards, in-care child statements, training records, medication permissions, suspected child abuse and such are on our state's guidelines.  That leaves you with your contract, Allergies and concerns, ouch reports, info and policies, and your photo authorization forms.  These are easily done in Word.  If you email... I can send you attachments with what I use and you can go from there.

Edit:  I forgot about the sign in/out forms...I did mine in Excel and then I just change the month header and print out a new one.  :-)

I've been in the early childhood for 10+ years...I'm going on year 4 for in-home child care.  You are welcome to use me as a resource.  Feel free to email anytime.

Answer 2

Try http://www.childcarecentral.com/provider...  On this site, there are hundreds of activities listed in over thirty theme categories.  

I haven't found a good site for menus yet.

Answer 3

you can google it and a lot of sites will pop up.

Answer 4

Contact NAEYC for guidelines in your state. You can search for forms and preschool curriculum on line. Google preschool lesson plans/curriculum. Have a great time with your school :)

Answer 5

google is your best friend - just type in preschool activities - preschool forms (check with your NAEYC) and preschool menus.  They will have all kinds of ideas.  Also, you can check with your local job and family services to set you up with a licensing specialist who will help you with the forms, licensing and certification. Good luck!

Answer 6

http://www.preschoolprintables.com/

http://www.bry-backmanor.org/activitypag...

http://www.perpetualpreschool.com/presch...

http://www.education-world.com/

http://www.perpetualpreschool.com/

http://www.bry-backmanor.org/

try these for starters,  i always found lots on the preschoolprintables page.

good luck and have fun.

Answer 7

www.underfives.co.uk

look up Pre-School Learning Alliance

Look up-Early Years Foundation Stage

www.sparkle-box.com

Answer 8

preschooleducation.com

everythingpreschool.com

You can also go on google and type in preschool activities, and find lots of more resources, but the ones I gave you are my favorite.

Answer 9

You can find them online.www.free childcare/daycare activities.com.

Answer 10

Try your state's department of education, licensing division.  They will have all the forms you need in your state to operate a daycare business.  Menu ideas can be retrieved from your local school district's nutrition center (these are the people who create the menus for the schools in your area).  These meals have to meet state standards for nutrition, so it is a good place to go to get balanced meal ideas (ask for a copy of their menu for the month).  Activities for children can be found on many websites.... a few of my favorites include:

http://www.perpetualpreschool.com

http://www.environments.com/r_pages.cfm?...

http://www.preschoolrainbow.org      and,

http://familyfun.go.com

Answer 11

Here are some websites to try:

www.enchantedlearning.com

www.familyfun.com

www.nickjr.com

Also, try your local library - search under crafts and preschool activities - there are some great resources there!

Good luck!