I have my large finished basement as my main daycare space. I am very happy with the set-up down there and the children really enjoy the centers, sensory table, easel, and multitude of toys and activities. However, my living room/dining room area serves as our "meet and greet" space. This is where everyone is dropped off in the morning. We spend about 1 - 1 1/2 hours in this area each morning as everyone is dropped off and the parents give me updates, instructions, etc. In the past I have rotated many different types of toys through this area. I'd like to try just having toys without a million parts and pieces up there to quicken the clean-up process and keep this area relatively tidy for drop-in guests and pick-ups. I don't have enough materials yet and was hoping you all would have some ideas of things I could add to the rotation.
Here is what I already have:
dress-up dolls (the ones with the zippers, snaps, buttons, etc.)
bead trackers
a few wooden manipulatives
abacus
a pop-up toy (for infants)
jack-in-the box
push spin toy (for infants)
There is also a front-facing bookcase & I update the books weekly. I'd like to have enough things to rotate twice monthly and have variety. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Reply

Fisher Price school buses ( I have two, the kids love them)
Big dump drucks or cars
Wooden track or magnet puzzles (melissa and doug make some great ones with pieces attached) similar to these...
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-M...ref=pd_sim_t_6
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-M...ef=pd_sim_t_12

Reply

Thanks meganlavonnesmommy! I love the Melissa and Doug products! Great idea!

Reply

Magna Doodle
Etch a sketch
This --color maze
or this counting maze
or even this--alphabet maze
one of these touch boards
this magnetic thing

Reply

I have the exact same setup! I currently have a small bookcase (hidden behind a chair) that te kids can access books and a toy box. The toy box has a very heavy cover so I pull a few things out and close it up and hte kids can't open it. Some things I have in there are: puzzles, a house with some little people, block sorter, dolls and bottles. I do find the books to be the biggest hit though with my crew.

Reply

Oooo! I have all of those but the last one and they are fabulous!! Every kid loves them and will play for long periods of time with them! Totally worth the money too!!

Reply