looking for daycare secerts.

Are you babysitting all day and night!!! Ok, here is what my daycare schedule looks like. I have been doing this for 15 yrs and it works for me. The kids I have now are 2-4 yrs and one baby, so it does vary a little bit. My kids are all in school, so I am not dressing anyone. 6:45~ first child arrives~ lays back down and watches tv 7am~ wake up my kids and they get ready for school. my kids have breakfast, I make lunches ect. 7:40 my kids out the door for bus while other day care kids arrive. 8-9~ kids are arriving. They usually will still be 1/2 asleep so they watch tv or get toys out to play. 9am~ breakfast for day care kids 9-10:30 free play 10:30-11:30 outside if it is nice 11:30-12:00 books 12:00-12:30 ~ lunch 12:30-1:00 ~ clean up, change diapers, settle down for nap time~ video on during this time 1-3 naps 3:15-3:45~ snack 3:45-4:30~ outside if nice otherwise puzzles, pegs, coloring until parents arrive When I had all older kids, it was much more structured here with less free time. I try to do one craft a week and this is in the morning sometime around 10am. During free play, we will sing, play ring around the rosey, they get out the doctors kit and play, they get out the dress up clothes. It is kinda a free for all. Each child knows that they are allowed to get the toys out of the closet by themselves, but must put them away before getting another toy out. If you were to walk in my house during free play, you would think that it is an organized activity because I have taught the kids to respect my home and the toys. hope this helps you a bit.

I used to work in a Daycare Center and then had my own Licensed Home Daycare so I have plenty of experience with schedules. I think it looks pretty good. How long will you watch the 2 kids that aren't your's, meaning, what time do they go home? It doesn't matter but your schedule might change after they leave, with your own kids. You know, one might want to have some snuggle time instead of doing something else, so be flexible with your own but I would stick to the schedule when the other 2 are there. Hope that makes sense. I have 2 kids of my own and they have their schedule but sometimes we go off of it. Good luck.

It looks like a pretty full schedule! How about some music time? You just have to keep adjusting the activities you provide to keep the kids from getting bored. Coloring pages are wonderful to keep the kids quiet and practice fine motor skills. Maybe weekly themes? Circus, bears, butterflies, etc... I taught preschool for a number of years and found a fast pace worked best.

I work in a daycare center and we try for a lot of outside time while the weather is nice. It gives the kids an outlet for their energy so they don't tear the room (and each other) apart. They can practice their large motor skills or you can take them for nature walks. My 3 year olds love to look at plants, bugs, dirt, rocks, trees, clouds, big trucks and all kinds of other stuff that goes by ;) I know you said you don't take them anywhere but if you are feeling brave you could walk to a local playground or check out storytimes at the library. It would give them a change of scenery and use up most of an afternoon.