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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>What Do You Wear
MrsB 01:00 PM 02-28-2012
I was just curious what you all wear during the day? Have you had any parents comment on it.

Some mornings I still have sweats and a tshirt, or pj bottoms and a tshirt. My one DCG gets here at 545am. We snuggle until my husband gets out of the shower and I put her back to bed and he reads the paper and drinks coffee while I get in the shower. On fridays some times we have pj days where the daycare kids can wear them too.

I used to get dressed up everyday, do my hair, and makeup, but i tend to just get all nasty and its less comfortable. I usually tell my parents at interview, I dont put alot of time into what I look like on daycare days. I figure an hour more of sleep for me is more benefitial to the kids than what my hair looks like.

I have been thinking about actually buying scrubs for daycare days.

I have also thought about have daycare tshirts made. Haven't done research on how or cost or whether I would charge parents or what.

Any thoughts? What about those of you that have helpers, do you have a dress code for them?
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AnneCordelia 01:04 PM 02-28-2012
I wear jeans or slacks and a t-shirt.

The only comment that a parent has ever made to me about my appearance was that "at least you can wear sweats to work". But I don't. I wear jeans or slacks.

I don't put loads of makeup on but I do make sure that my hair is nicely ponytailed, and I have conceiler under my eyes. LOL.
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Zoe 01:07 PM 02-28-2012
It's just me in my home. I value my sleep WAY too much to get all beautiful for the kids and parents. Last year I only had one SA who was here for twenty minutes in the morning and some days he was the only dck I had. So yeah! I didn't even get dressed and the mom totally got that! It's not like I was revealing anything, I had on underwear and a bra under the jammies.

It takes me 10 minutes to get ready in the morning. Get up, brush my hair, get dressed, put on minimal makeup to avoid looking like a zombie. I take my showers in the evenings.

As for what I wear, really, it depends on the weather and how I'm feeling. I just wear my regular clothes (mostly from New York and Company) and jeans. Some days it's hoodies, others it's oversized sweaters, some days I get crazy and put on a blouse. No one has said anything about how hot I look or how scrubby I look. Cuz really, what does it matter?! I'm clean, I'm awake and ready for the kids. End of story.
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kayla 01:10 PM 02-28-2012
before i was pregnant on occasion i would do my hair and makeup, however now that im pregnant i throw my hair up and i wear sweats and comfortable shirts.

I have had a parent(the disrespectful one) say to me one time something along the lines about looking grubby, i looked at her and said what do i need to get ready for i am pregnant and i stay at home i am not going to dress in nice clothes for my daycare kids to stain does that make sense, I dont need to impress anyone by putting on nice clothes and makeup. I spend my day with children they dont care what i look like, and alot of the time they compliment me....

I thought it was extremely rude and don't know why anyone would think it is there place to ask why your dressed a certain way.
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Sunchimes 01:11 PM 02-28-2012
I wear jeans or slacks and a knit shirt. I don't wear t-shirts (like the ones with funny sayings) because I don't like the way they fit, but I would if I liked them. If I know we are going out in public later, I do my make up, but I don't bother otherwise. My hair is pretty much wash, scrunch, and call it good every day. The only thing is that I hate to wear shoes. In the winter, I usually wear my moccasin style house shoes until we get ready to go outside. In the summer, it's flip flops or bare feet.
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SunshineMama 01:15 PM 02-28-2012
I am probably in the minority here but I get up, put on my makeup, do my hair, and put on usually a pair of jeans and a regular shirt (something I would wear if I were going out with my family). Occasionally I will wear a zip up sweatshirt, but I never do t-shirts. Sometimes I even wear nice button up Polos and have even had the parents comment on how nice my outfit looks. I do aprons for messy crafts and activities.

I mostly take a little time because I want to look nice for my husband. My grandfather told me on my wedding day, "Even though you are getting married and you got the guy, never let yourself go." I'm taking my grandpa's advice
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Michael 01:16 PM 02-28-2012
We revisit this topic every now and then: https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.php?tag=attire
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Blackcat31 01:22 PM 02-28-2012
Since I actually get up and go to work, I also get dressed as if I am getting up and going to work. kwim?
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Country Kids 01:25 PM 02-28-2012
I try to dress as if I'm going to work also because even though I'm in my home I am working. I see way to many daycare providers that have let themselves go because they work at home. So what if you work at home, feel good about yourself and represent that! I feel that if I'm always dressed for work and I met someone new they will know I take pride in my business, home, etc.
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Blackcat31 01:31 PM 02-28-2012
Originally Posted by Country Kids:
I try to dress as if I'm going to work also because even though I'm in my home I am working. I see way to many daycare providers that have let themselves go because they work at home. So what if you work at home, feel good about yourself and represent that! I feel that if I'm always dressed for work and I met someone new they will know I take pride in my business, home, etc.
Great viewpoint.

If you look professional it is easy to act professional and have others treat you as a professional.
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seebachers 01:33 PM 02-28-2012
I wear nursing scrubs.......really comfortable, easy to clean and lets all my regular clothes stay free of play dough, paint stains, urpsies and the like. i purchase them at a thrift store for about $4 a set.
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DanceMom 01:35 PM 02-28-2012
I wear sweats and only sweats ( sometimes jeans).

By the end of the day I have either snot, spit up, food, formula,paint, markers, poop, puke , dirt/mud or whatever on my clothes - I'm not about to get all that on nice clothes - I do wear "nicer" sweats however - usually Gap - so they are matching and put together plus I want to be very comfortable to get down and dirty with the kids during play time.
My parents totally understand !

I do do my hair and put on makeup everyday.
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Oneluckymom 01:39 PM 02-28-2012
I treat it like Im going to work also. I pull my hair back in a braid (long hair), put on on makeup. I like to be comfortable so I usually wear yoga pants and comfortable shirts. I have a few scrub tops(love the pockets in them). One of my moms said "I didn't know you used to be a nurse!" umm, no

Jeans aren't for me with all the bending and sitting on the floor. I looove the yoga pants.
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Meeko 01:42 PM 02-28-2012
I have work pants (usually jeans or soft pull on ones) and either t-shirts or scrub tops. Nothing fancy because I get dirty every day.

However, I do my hair and make-up every single morning. Don't wanna scare folks....
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KDC 01:44 PM 02-28-2012
I do hair and make up, but... Sweats or jeans make me the most comfy. I'm loving my sweatshirts (some of them are down right ratty from all the washing!), and I don't want to give 'em up. A perk of having my own business... Kids love me no matter what I'm wearing! Just to jazz it up, I'll put some glittery purple eyeshadow on, all the girls notice =) I don't think my daycare parents would notice if I wore the same pants day after day (for the record, I don't!) -- they know their kids taken care of, and I think that's what matters most =)
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DCMom 02:02 PM 02-28-2012
Originally Posted by Country Kids:
I try to dress as if I'm going to work also because even though I'm in my home I am working. I see way to many daycare providers that have let themselves go because they work at home. So what if you work at home, feel good about yourself and represent that! I feel that if I'm always dressed for work and I met someone new they will know I take pride in my business, home, etc.
I agree. I never wear sweats or yoga pants ~ I feel like that is too casual. I always wear jeans; in the winter I like layers, so I usually have a plain tee under a hoodie or denim shirt. In the summer, it's jean capris or longer shorts and tank top. I don't wear a lot of makeup, ever, but I do put on a tinted moisturizer and mascara at least. I have long hair so I do keep it in a clip or a ponytail.
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Mom&Provider 02:06 PM 02-28-2012
Jeans, tees, sweaters, capri's (depends on the weather)...nothing really casual, like jogging pants, but I don't get all done up either! Some days I have time to put make-up on and others not!
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saved4always 07:06 PM 02-28-2012
I wear sweats and tshirts and a hoodie over the tshirt. If one of the kids has a booger nose, I zip up the sweatshirt so I can take it off when they leave and throw it in the wash (before I hug my own kids when they get home from school). I roll out of bed 10 minutes before the first child gets here so I can brush my teeth and wash my face and comb my hair. I shower in the evenings. I need as much sleep as I can get if I am going to keep up with 3 little ones each day. I refuse to wear makeup to hang out with little kids in my home. I have never had anyone comment on how I look. I think they are jealous cuz they have to wear real clothes. Now, when I leave my house, I do my hair, put on my full make up and dress to kill. My daycare parents and kids would have a hard time recognizing me if they saw me in public.
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AmyLeigh 07:58 PM 02-28-2012
Originally Posted by saved4always:
Now, when I leave my house, I do my hair, put on my full make up and dress to kill. My daycare parents and kids would have a hard time recognizing me if they saw me in public.
Love it! My dcf's all go to the same church, so they see me dressed up, wearing heels, jewelry, make up and hair done. Then they come to my house and see the real me w/hair in a ponytail, not a lick of makeup on, wearing glasses instead of contacts and in my jeans-tshirt-*** boot or birkenstock uniform. I'm surprised the kids recognize me at church!
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Greenplasticwateringcans 09:35 PM 02-28-2012
I wear casual makeup, hair in a neat pony tail loosely styled down, jeans (sometimes capri cottons or yoga pants) and a nice shirt/sweater. I feel better looking like that and I don't mind the occasional spill. I've only had one shirt ruined with paint.
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melskids 02:50 AM 02-29-2012
I REFUSE to wear anything "nice" as I always end up in the mud pit or up to my elbows in paint right along the kids.

I'm usually in jeans or khakis with a tshirt (i did have them made with my dc logo) but even those are covered in paint stains and bleach marks.

I pull my hair back in a pontytail, and light makeup.

I had to laugh, the other day I blew my hair out and did my makeup nice, and had newer nice looking jeans and a new tshirt on. A DC mom came in and said "oh, must be a field trip day." LOL
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Rachel 03:02 AM 02-29-2012
I dress casual and comfortable, but neatly. I wouldn't wear a stained shirt or ripped skirt, but, but I do dress to work. Now I am wearing a jeans skirt, long sleeve t-shirt, and zip up sweatshirt. Oh, and slippers. My feet get cold so I wear slippers. In the warmer weather I usually wear crocs except when going to the park and I try to wear sneakers because it's easier for me to push all the kids wearing decent footwear.
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Countrygal 04:28 AM 02-29-2012
I dress similarly to how I did working in my retail jobs - casual, but nice. I wear jeans, sweaters, jumpers, skirts, and in the summer I wear layered tops, light dresses, skirts. But I only have older kids. No spitting up, etc.
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MrsB 06:51 AM 02-29-2012
Originally Posted by AmyLeigh:
Love it! My dcf's all go to the same church, so they see me dressed up, wearing heels, jewelry, make up and hair done. Then they come to my house and see the real me w/hair in a ponytail, not a lick of makeup on, wearing glasses instead of contacts and in my jeans-tshirt-*** boot or birkenstock uniform. I'm surprised the kids recognize me at church!
I am the same way, most of my DCF go to the same church too, they always say when they look for me on Sundays, they are looking for the sweat/yoga pants and hoodies.
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jenn 08:17 AM 02-29-2012
I wear jeans, sweaters, casual shirts, nicer t shirts,...same as I would wear to go out to eat or shop. I always put on makeup, because it makes me feel better. I fix my hair everyday into a casual style, not like I would to go somewhere fancy, but at least styled.
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mema 11:02 AM 02-29-2012
I wear jeans and a long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt during the winter and capri's and tshirts in the summer. I usually don't wear make up. The only time I wear that is when hubby takes me out or I have a special occasion. My hair goes in a pony, messy bun, or if I have time I dry and straighten it (I have some weird colics that don't allow it to air dry nice)
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WImom 11:10 AM 02-29-2012
Originally Posted by Country Kids:
I try to dress as if I'm going to work also because even though I'm in my home I am working. I see way to many daycare providers that have let themselves go because they work at home. So what if you work at home, feel good about yourself and represent that! I feel that if I'm always dressed for work and I met someone new they will know I take pride in my business, home, etc.
I'm the same way. Today I'm wearing Jeans, a long sleeved shirt and a tied sweater vest. That's my normal clothing that I would wear on the weekends or out with family. I wish I could put my hair up in a pony tail some days though but I have shoulder length curly hair so not going to happen.

I don't have babies here though so that may make a difference.
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PitterPatter 11:19 AM 02-29-2012
For daycare hours I wear casual knit pants happy t-shirts usually (Pooh, Mickey, etc) or a polo type shirt. Summer I will wear knit shorts or capris and same kind of shirts. When I first started daycare I wanted to be professional but the paints, glue, glitter, food, grass etc didn't match I also found some outfits to be very uncomfortable when we were out playing ball or building forts etc so I go for comfort and wear things that are easier replaced if need be. Basically my attire is relaxed casual but very tidy and clean.
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Unregistered 05:00 PM 02-29-2012
lol I have a stack of fun pj bottoms which I wear with T-Shirts or Sweatshirts almost daily! Some have bears, some have tweety bird, winnie the pooh, funny monkeys, mickey minnie..the list goes on and on! The kids loves them and I am so comfortable! I sometimes wear jogging suits as well. I want to be comfortable so I can be completely focused on the kids and getting down on the floor to play. PJ bottoms and sweats are so much more affordable than jeans and nice shirts and I go through clothes like crazy. I warn all new dcps that I love to have fun and don't care much about what I am wearing but that they can feel confident that I am not spending the day lounging despite my appearance. They often say - you look so comfy, I envy you!
I remember one time my husband and I were going out for dinner so I had taken a minute to get dressed before he got home. I had put on a nice skirt and top and had done my hair and makeup. SA dcg said - Wow, I didn't know you were pretty!. It was so funny!
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EntropyControlSpecialist 07:10 PM 03-31-2012
Originally Posted by SunshineMama:
I am probably in the minority here but I get up, put on my makeup, do my hair, and put on usually a pair of jeans and a regular shirt (something I would wear if I were going out with my family). Occasionally I will wear a zip up sweatshirt, but I never do t-shirts. Sometimes I even wear nice button up Polos and have even had the parents comment on how nice my outfit looks. I do aprons for messy crafts and activities.

I mostly take a little time because I want to look nice for my husband. My grandfather told me on my wedding day, "Even though you are getting married and you got the guy, never let yourself go." I'm taking my grandpa's advice
I do the same. Though, I lean more towards cardigans. Lots of cardigans. It's the teacher in me ...
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Hunni Bee 09:04 PM 03-31-2012
I wear whatever has been discarded from my regular wardrobe, and thrift store stuff. I always wear one of my tshirts with the our center's logo on it if we go out or visitors come, though. I have a few random scrub pieces...but I find them to be so hot and restrictive that I only wear the pants.

I usually look nicer in the summer...I had to take care of some business after work the other day and was actually ashamed to be out in public...but I can't afford to ruin my nice clothes...dirt, paint, bleach, food and sticky hands all find their way to my clothing daily.
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