| Despite recent trends, there are still many | | | | 3) Have each family buy a 'parent communication |
| daycare centers that don't really offer a lot in the | | | | handbook' and instruct you staff to make notes |
| way of a program for the education and | | | | about what the kids did that day and any other |
| entertainment of the children they care for. For | | | | points that parents should be aware of. Many |
| some business operators, daycare is just about | | | | parents will appreciate contact from daycare staff |
| catering to the physical needs of children and | | | | and this helps to build a relationship and shows |
| providing just enough in the way of toys and | | | | that you care. |
| playgrounds to keep them entertained. | | | | 4) Allocate small blocks of the schedule for |
| Thankfully, most daycares are now recognizing | | | | children to learn 'life skills' such as brushing their |
| the need for at least some structured curriculum. | | | | teeth or carrying their empty plates to the |
| The environment that a child under six is exposed | | | | kitchen. |
| to is so important in influencing their mental and | | | | 5) Have a schedule for the group as a whole but |
| physical development that we owe it to the kids | | | | also allocate time for individual learning. Give kids a |
| to take daycare more seriously. | | | | chance to develop any particular interests that |
| Good planning also makes good business sense as | | | | they may have and support and encourage them. |
| not only will daycare managers and staff feel | | | | It is worth learning some more about the |
| more satisfied in their work but schedules full of | | | | Montessori approach to early childhood education |
| educational activities look great when promoting a | | | | and adapting and implementing some of their |
| center to parents. Children that are kept busy | | | | theories in your daycare. |
| with stimulating activities are also less likely to get | | | | 6) Take at least a couple of photographs of each |
| bored and should display better discipline. Here are | | | | child every month and give these to parents or |
| some ideas and tips for structuring a program for | | | | email them. You can sell them but giving them |
| a daycare. | | | | away for free offers a nice personal touch to |
| 1) Don't give children access to all the toys and | | | | your customer service and will help parents |
| activities at one time. Too much access will end | | | | understand your curriculum more. |
| up meaning that they get bored with all of it. | | | | 7) Design a schedule that is well rounded in |
| Instead you can rotate toys and activities to | | | | activities. Depending on the age group of children, |
| offer variety and maintain the interest of the | | | | a full schedule should include music, story time, art |
| children. | | | | classes and play dough and physical activities |
| 2) Have a schedule written up each week for | | | | outdoors. Guest speakers can be invited to your |
| children and parents to see the basic program but | | | | daycare to talk to the children and you can even |
| also make it clear that you give staff permission | | | | organize excursions if you can organize transport |
| to deviate from the program depending on the | | | | with child safety seats. |
| mood of the children. Have the schedule balance | | | | Feel free to try out a variety of schedules to see |
| rowdy activities with quiet activities throughout | | | | what works depending on the children that you |
| the day. For example, when kids wake up from | | | | care for and the resources that you have |
| their mid-day nap and are still a little sleepy you | | | | available. Keeping kids busy and ensuring that all |
| can read stories to them. Rowdy and more | | | | time slots have a designated purpose is the key |
| independent activities can be organized for | | | | to daycare success. Make sure that you put in |
| mid-morning when kids are feeling fresh and have | | | | the necessary research and planning to create an |
| a lot of energy and in the afternoons when they | | | | exciting and educational schedule and curriculum |
| get a little restless you can organize activities that | | | | for your kids to grow and learn. |
| are more focused and supervised. | | | | |