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I'm excited to share this part of my story about Daycare Spaces. I started out doing daycare in my double wide trailer house with no yard and no children of my own. I ran the daycare for two years before we had our only daughter.
After our daughter was born, we rented a home and ran daycare in three of the rooms. It was great having the extra space. I also had a fenced in yard for the kids to play outside.
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We purchased our first home four years later, where we lived in that home for 22 years and I ran my daycare out of the basement. I had an art/coloring room for table activities, specifically for the three- year-old to 5-year-old kids. There was a large living room area where everyone could play and interact with one another. During nap time my toddlers slept in the living room while the babies slept in the spare bedroom. There was also a bathroom downstairs which made potty training much easier.
I've always limited my kids' TV time because I don't feel that is should be used in place of human interaction. And honestly, sometimes it just makes them loud and wild at times. Dancing is a great form of physical activity and learning nursery rhymes stimulates brain development. Playing music has come a long way. I started out using a radio/cassette player and eventually a CD player. Now I use YouTube and Spotify to play music, listen to books and watch dance aloud.
My daycare kids love Laurie Berkner & Jack Hartmann, there programs are on YouTube, the kids love to sing and follow along. It is also a great way to celebrate birthdays too. It is fun to see the kids interact. You can teach them songs and let them dance-they of course think it's funny when I join them in singing and dancing!
My husband and I moved three years ago. I had a specific vision for how our new home would allow me to offer more as a daycare provider. My daycare has a separate entrance from our home, which allows me to separate my professional and personal life. I have a welcome area where there is a place for shoes and coats, calendar of activities and parent information. One bedroom is used as my office & baby room. The second bedroom is used for 1-2 year-old toddlers to nap.
The kitchen area is the best part! We are all able to eat around the kitchen table together on chairs and benches; I call this "family style", The kids eat so much better & everyone has their own spot, it makes meals and snack go much smoother.
I also have the space for the three-year-olds and up to be able to do table activities and preschool workbooks.
The living room area is for the kids to play toys and dance. Within the living room space there are two separate play areas, which is divided with the two play yards. One is for my infants and the other for one-year-olds. The play yards are great while I am cooking or helping the older kids with activities at the table. It's a peace of mind knowing my littles are safe.
While daycare can be a challenging profession, I strongly recommend it. Whether it's to stay home and help raise your own children or the desire to help care for other people's children.
Daycare is not like any other job or career. People may say "you are your own boss" or "you own your own business" but in reality, this business owns you! You are in charge of keeping the children safe, happy & learning.
One of my favorite parts about being a daycare provider is the having mixed ages because kids learn so much from each other, I love to watch this develop. I want them to be kind to each other, I teach them to welcome each child when they come and say goodbye when they go home. Kids are never too young to learn manners and inclusion of others.
One of my favorite areas is my outdoor space. Children having the opportunity to play outside is so important. The kids are able to go play outside and to run around-just being kids! We start in early spring and continue going out till fall when the temperature drops to 65 degrees. I have a shed/playhouse, sandbox and outdoor toys for all age groups. My backyard is fenced in so this helps keep them protected and safe while playing outside. Kids learn to explore outside, plus it really burns off some of that extra energy.
I hope by sharing how my daycare has evolved and how I maximize my spaces give you some ideas on how to make the most of your spaces so that you can enjoy & have fun with your littles.
If you are considering starting your own daycare business. I would love for you to reach out to me with any questions or ideas. You can use the Contact Form to message me.
If you have a topic, you want me to address or have a suggestion, please feel free to comment.
Next month I plan to talk about organizing your space for toys, preschool activities, craft supplies and menu items.
I really appreciate you coming back and reading my blog.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:3,9
Entrance/Welcome Area Family Style Kitchen Table Kitchen area
Play area Play area divided by cubbies Play yards for babies.
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