Daycare.com Forum
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Things You Couldn't Do With Out
Unregistered 06:31 AM 10-19-2014
Just starting off on a small inhome center and am wondering what are some of the things you couldn't do with out!
midaycare 08:27 AM 10-19-2014
I have a small indoor slide that everyone loves. Also a ball pit. People on here are mixed about ball pits, but I love it and so do the kids I have. I think it depends on the kids you have and how well you can enforce rules.
I also have a train table (glue as much as possible down to the tracks). Lots and lots of books - I have 1000+. I bought most of them secondhand. I have a reading corner and the kiddos adore it.
I know there are other threads on this, you might want to try the search function. Good luck!
I also have a train table (glue as much as possible down to the tracks). Lots and lots of books - I have 1000+. I bought most of them secondhand. I have a reading corner and the kiddos adore it.
I know there are other threads on this, you might want to try the search function. Good luck!
AmyKidsCo 09:27 AM 10-19-2014
Blocks, baby dolls, dress up clothes, crayons, markers, paper, glue.
Josiegirl 09:58 AM 10-19-2014
A sense of humor and truckloads of patience. 
Right now the go-to things are the babies and strollers. But it's probably because my group is 14 months-3ish and they're all girls. The blocks are a hit too because you can incorporate just about anything into that play area to change it up. I bought a big plastic dollhouse filled with tons of furniture, 10 bucks at a yard sale, and the kids love that too. Other than those current favorites are playdoh and dress-up clothes with music.
Right now the go-to things are the babies and strollers. But it's probably because my group is 14 months-3ish and they're all girls.
The blocks are a hit too because you can incorporate just about anything into that play area to change it up. I bought a big plastic dollhouse filled with tons of furniture, 10 bucks at a yard sale, and the kids love that too. Other than those current favorites are playdoh and dress-up clothes with music.
Unregistered 10:16 AM 10-19-2014
Provider/Parent contract
Parent Handbook
Baby gates
Books
Blocks
Outdoor space
Quad stroller
Parent Handbook
Baby gates
Books
Blocks
Outdoor space
Quad stroller
daycare 10:20 AM 10-19-2014
Books books books!!
Sugar Magnolia 10:36 AM 10-19-2014
LEGOS!
hope 11:24 AM 10-19-2014
Train set, dress up clothes, blocks, and strollers (I have a double).
NightOwl 01:36 PM 10-19-2014
Blocks, books, color coded dishes/cups for each child, white noise machine
Controlled Chaos 07:42 AM 10-20-2014
Coffee. Loads of coffee 
KIDZRMYBIZ 08:52 AM 10-20-2014
1) Octagon play yard. If I didn't have somewhere to put the 1.5yo that can pull EVERYTHING off the shelves in the 40 seconds it takes me to use the bathroom, I would have lost my mind long ago!
2) A really nice kid's table. Although I miss my 6-seater picnic table that's now outside, because I have found it is really hard for kids under 4yo to scoot chairs up to the table on the carpet. But then I remember the reason I got the new table - picnic tables are climbing magnets for the 2yo and under crowd. Not sure which is worse...
3) Some kind of cubby and coathooks where they come in.
4) A a contract and handbook with everything spelled out to the letter, and a backbone to enforce it! Just come on here for all the confidence and justification you need!
2) A really nice kid's table. Although I miss my 6-seater picnic table that's now outside, because I have found it is really hard for kids under 4yo to scoot chairs up to the table on the carpet. But then I remember the reason I got the new table - picnic tables are climbing magnets for the 2yo and under crowd. Not sure which is worse...
3) Some kind of cubby and coathooks where they come in.
4) A a contract and handbook with everything spelled out to the letter, and a backbone to enforce it! Just come on here for all the confidence and justification you need!
KatiesCorner 10:00 AM 10-20-2014
Original poster, what ages are you starting with? And how many?
I just started in August with a small infant, and two mobile, self feeding older infants. Other than the usual staples (pack n plays, nap mats, high chairs) I needed bibs and burp cloths! I had bought several, but ran through them in two days so I quickly realized I needed more to avoid needing to wash them every day. (I live alone so I don't have enough clothes for a load for at least three days, ha ha) the same goes for cups and plates. I didn't have enough to fill the dishwasher before I ran out of ones to use, so I bought ore to avoid washing dishes with a half empty dishwasher. (If you have more than two on meals I doubt that wil be a problem for you)
Make sure you have enough toys to rotate them a little. A toy that's been in a closet even for just a week is way cooler.i might have ore to add later, but that's what comes to mind first
Good luck!
I just started in August with a small infant, and two mobile, self feeding older infants. Other than the usual staples (pack n plays, nap mats, high chairs) I needed bibs and burp cloths! I had bought several, but ran through them in two days so I quickly realized I needed more to avoid needing to wash them every day. (I live alone so I don't have enough clothes for a load for at least three days, ha ha) the same goes for cups and plates. I didn't have enough to fill the dishwasher before I ran out of ones to use, so I bought ore to avoid washing dishes with a half empty dishwasher. (If you have more than two on meals I doubt that wil be a problem for you)
Make sure you have enough toys to rotate them a little. A toy that's been in a closet even for just a week is way cooler.i might have ore to add later, but that's what comes to mind first
Good luck!
crazydaycarelady 03:02 PM 10-20-2014
I agree about a kids table whether it be a Little Tikes picnic table or a preschool table it is NICE to have!
Also I have some plastic bowls and plates and also sippy cups that I use multiple times per day.
Pak-n-plays for the babies, nap mats and blankets for the toddlers and bigger kids.
A good contract covering everything and stick to it!
Also I have some plastic bowls and plates and also sippy cups that I use multiple times per day.
Pak-n-plays for the babies, nap mats and blankets for the toddlers and bigger kids.
A good contract covering everything and stick to it!
Josiegirl 04:09 PM 10-20-2014
A timer. It's a valuable tool when sharing toys becomes a problem and for time-outs, or countless other things.
It's a valuable tool when sharing toys becomes a problem and for time-outs, or countless other things.
EntropyControlSpecialist 04:39 PM 10-20-2014
Vodka. For you after hours. 
Unregistered 06:05 PM 10-20-2014
I'm the original poster, thanks so much for all the answers! I use to do in home care 3 years ago but then left to go to a center now I'm back at in home but wanting to run it more like a center. My ages are
Dkg 22 months
Dkb 2 1/2
Dcg 4
Dcg 3
Dcg 2
And two AS children (my dd and dkg 22 months sister)
Starting in March I will have a dcb 12 months
I have a spare bedroom I've turned into the "playroom" I have a set of cubbies for when the parents walk in, a 6 seated picnic table for lunches and snacks and am in the process of trying to track down colored dishes so each child can have their own color (love this idea by the way thank you)
Dkg 22 months
Dkb 2 1/2
Dcg 4
Dcg 3
Dcg 2
And two AS children (my dd and dkg 22 months sister)
Starting in March I will have a dcb 12 months
I have a spare bedroom I've turned into the "playroom" I have a set of cubbies for when the parents walk in, a 6 seated picnic table for lunches and snacks and am in the process of trying to track down colored dishes so each child can have their own color (love this idea by the way thank you)
Cat Herder 08:08 AM 10-21-2014
Folding, Portable, Evacuation Cribs.
Wall anchors for cabinets, shelving and tv's.
Door latches.
Safety gates.
Submersible, easy to disinfect, toys/manipulatives.
Fenced backyard.
The rest I could come up with a plan B.
Wall anchors for cabinets, shelving and tv's.
Door latches.
Safety gates.
Submersible, easy to disinfect, toys/manipulatives.
Fenced backyard.
The rest I could come up with a plan B.
NeedaVaca 09:20 AM 10-21-2014
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
I'm the original poster, thanks so much for all the answers! I use to do in home care 3 years ago but then left to go to a center now I'm back at in home but wanting to run it more like a center. My ages are
Dkg 22 months
Dkb 2 1/2
Dcg 4
Dcg 3
Dcg 2
And two AS children (my dd and dkg 22 months sister)
Starting in March I will have a dcb 12 months
I have a spare bedroom I've turned into the "playroom" I have a set of cubbies for when the parents walk in, a 6 seated picnic table for lunches and snacks and am in the process of trying to track down colored dishes so each child can have their own color (love this idea by the way thank you)
Ikea has great dishes and I believe they are even sold on AmazonI'm the original poster, thanks so much for all the answers! I use to do in home care 3 years ago but then left to go to a center now I'm back at in home but wanting to run it more like a center. My ages are
Dkg 22 months
Dkb 2 1/2
Dcg 4
Dcg 3
Dcg 2
And two AS children (my dd and dkg 22 months sister)
Starting in March I will have a dcb 12 months
I have a spare bedroom I've turned into the "playroom" I have a set of cubbies for when the parents walk in, a 6 seated picnic table for lunches and snacks and am in the process of trying to track down colored dishes so each child can have their own color (love this idea by the way thank you)
midaycare 06:05 AM 10-22-2014
I just thought of something else - my fish tank! The kids love looking at them
Blackcat31 06:16 AM 10-22-2014
A backbone and a funny bone.
You will use both equally.
You will use both equally.