My Daycare Coach

I had some extra time this week because my work closes down for the week between Christmas and New Years. I know right? As a family childcare provider, this was typically a very busy time of the year  school kids needed care and having to keep track of which kids would or wouldn't be here and finishing up our Christmas crafts in time. It got kinda hectic sometimes.  So I chose to make grownup crafts this week  I've been wanting to try making some string art wooden signs  so I started off with something simple. Here's how I did it.  First I gathered my supplies: Small wood plaque  1in panel board nails A hammer Wood stain Paint brush for stain Colored string A pencil  Black and Silver paint pen Paper First Stain your wood plaque with your color choice of stain. I used Golden Oak for mine. After it dries ( I let mine sit over night) cut a heart out of paper and set it on your plaque to make sure it fits. Position it where you w...

A fun simple gift idea: Coasters Supplies: Small tiles  (mine were from Home Depot for $.45 each for these octagon shaped ones) Felt sheets Mod Poge  Spray adhesive glue Pretty scrap paper   (I bought a big pack from Michael's) Choose your scrap paper choices. Next trace out and cut out your paper slightly smaller than your tile. Next apply a small amount of spray adhesive to sick your paper to you tile. Then add thin layers of Mod Podge. Make sure to let dry between applications. I did 3 coats to my coasters. After completely dry, cut out felt slightly smaller than your tile. Use the spray adhesive to glue your felt to the back side of your coaster. Now just wrap 4 of them together  with some pretty ribbon and a bow and you have a simple and fun gift. I customized my paper choices to each of my family members. They loved them. 💕

If you are looking for an easy idea for sensory bottles this is it. These bottles are great for children's exploration. It's one of our calmer activities and these bottles can be placed around the room where quiet exploration would be useful. I made five of these and placed a couple in the book area and one in our quiet corner. The other two I placed in our discovery center. They moved around the room throughout the week. So how did I make these wonderful bottles? They were quite easy actually.  I found these cool water bottles that were a cool shape and filled them with different items and hot glued them shut. Our discovery bottles: 1.Corn syrup and glitter. 2.Tempera paint with oil and colored water.3. Shampoo with googly eyes. 4.Shaving cream and food coloring and water.  5.Oil and food coloring and water. 

Running a daycare means safety comes first. I've created a daily safety check off list for you to use to get you started on your own. Feel free to edit as needed to fit your needs. This list is for high quality safety, not for just above regulations. Safety = Quality. Kitchen All cleaners, chemicals, and medications are in locked cabinet Sharp objects inaccessible Outlets are covered Any other unsafe items removed Bathroom All cleaners, chemicals, and medication are in a locked cabinet Personal unsafe items are put away (curling irons, razors) All cabinets have working childproof  locks Outlets covered Living/Play area Entrances/ Exits are locked and secured Outlets covered Wires from electronics safely stored away Bookcases/heavy equipment  are secured to the wall Mini blind cords are separated/ out of reach Sharp corners on furniture are covered Broken toys or equipment is removed Rugs are secured down Tripping hazards are cleared Saf...

       When you own a family daycare and you want to hire an assistant it is a little different that hiring an employee for another business. I always recommend getting set up with your payroll and insurances before you start the interviewing process. Some providers may want to run their business very casual and think that paying under the table would be ok to start out. You will want to do everything the legal way for lots of reasons. 1st off you want to be legal so you don't get sued, have to pay for medical bills if there happens to be an accident, or chance getting your business shut down. I know some may want to take their chances on those, but the other benefits to hiring legally are worth it as well. If you are paying your assistant with taxes and social security being taken out, then you can write these costs off on your taxes. Otherwise you can't claim this expense. The cost of your employees will most likely be your biggest expense as a family childcare p...

Here is my YouTube video of important things to consider before opening a daycare. Check it out! 5 things to know BEFORE you start your family childcare Video

What am doing? Am I ready? I love children and I've been talking about it for awhile. But what am I getting myself into?  If you've wanted to know what it means to be a family childcare provider read on... Awe the life of a provider.... When you wake up early and have your first family knocking on your door before you've finished your cup of coffee at 7:23. You greet parents, help children and sometimes their moms with separation anxiety. Then the messes start with the activities you've set out. Your day consists of making order to disorder. You make meals that inevitably the child will eat maybe two bites from. You sit down to read a story to a couple of children and then be interrupted by another child needing to go potty, then cleaning up some glitter that spilled. Next you have to turn down "When the wheels on the bus" to answer the phone that might be the family wanting to start next week, but more likely it's just another telemarket...