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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Asking Parents to Pay for Preschool
Preschool/daycare teacher 06:55 PM 11-30-2015
I need your advice. A parent contacted me about childcare and I quoted the price and said it included preschool. She just interviewed and I have decided to offer the spot to the family. But I would really like to stop having to spend so long preparing preschool, shopping for the supplies and materials, and making my own lesson plans. I used a prepackaged preschool curriculum a few years ago when I was teaching at a preschool and I really liked it. The kids loved it, and the parents were really pleased. I had the parents pay a monthly fee for the curriculum to pay for it and didn't have any problems. I would like to use that same curriculum company with my little group now, but I hadn't been charging extra for preschool and I just told this family that I just offered the spot to that the rate included preschool. So am I stuck continuing all that work for free and not being able to purchase a curriculum kit unless I want to pay for it (which my husband already said we can't afford, so that's a no)? Or how would you word it that you want to purchase a curriculum now? I'm terrible with selling people on things and explaining how good it would be 
spedmommy4 10:47 PM 11-30-2015
What about something that makes it easier but isn't a large long term financial commitment?
There is:
http://www.geewhizeducation.com/
It is an inexpensive curriculum for family childcare providers
Or, I personally love Pre-k pages and Play to Learn Preschool
http://www.pre-kpages.com/
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/...earn-Preschool
On the sites above, you can purchase an entire thematic unit that is fully prepared.
There is:
http://www.geewhizeducation.com/
It is an inexpensive curriculum for family childcare providers
Or, I personally love Pre-k pages and Play to Learn Preschool
http://www.pre-kpages.com/
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/...earn-Preschool
On the sites above, you can purchase an entire thematic unit that is fully prepared.
midaycare 06:06 AM 12-01-2015
Well...how much are you buying in supplies? I admit I'm not the most budget conscious shopper, but I buy MGT for 10 kids each month and pay about $135. It includes shipping to my door. All craft supplies are included.
I feel I would spend a lot of money trying to get the same craft supplies because I would have to buy so much more than I needed. And I probably would never use the rest of it.
I also get some supplies each month that are manipulatives and would cost some money. Plus a nice book. I don't have printing costs, either.
I feel I would spend a lot of money trying to get the same craft supplies because I would have to buy so much more than I needed. And I probably would never use the rest of it.
I also get some supplies each month that are manipulatives and would cost some money. Plus a nice book. I don't have printing costs, either.
rosieteddy 06:32 AM 12-01-2015
I would do a prepackaged curriculum .I used Carols affordable ,it included everything but the crayons and glue.I bought each child a box and added crayons and glue.Their box of supplies for the year.I figured it out to about 5.00 dollars a week per child.Its hard to ask parents to pay separately for what you can write off on taxes.I would just increase tuition next time your going to.
Blackcat31 06:54 AM 12-01-2015
Originally Posted by Preschool/daycare teacher:
I need your advice. A parent contacted me about childcare and I quoted the price and said it included preschool. She just interviewed and I have decided to offer the spot to the family. But I would really like to stop having to spend so long preparing preschool, shopping for the supplies and materials, and making my own lesson plans. I used a prepackaged preschool curriculum a few years ago when I was teaching at a preschool and I really liked it. The kids loved it, and the parents were really pleased. I had the parents pay a monthly fee for the curriculum to pay for it and didn't have any problems. I would like to use that same curriculum company with my little group now, but I hadn't been charging extra for preschool and I just told this family that I just offered the spot to that the rate included preschool. So am I stuck continuing all that work for free and not being able to purchase a curriculum kit unless I want to pay for it (which my husband already said we can't afford, so that's a no)? Or how would you word it that you want to purchase a curriculum now? I'm terrible with selling people on things and explaining how good it would be
If preschool curriculum is something you want to offer, it should be included in your rates. I need your advice. A parent contacted me about childcare and I quoted the price and said it included preschool. She just interviewed and I have decided to offer the spot to the family. But I would really like to stop having to spend so long preparing preschool, shopping for the supplies and materials, and making my own lesson plans. I used a prepackaged preschool curriculum a few years ago when I was teaching at a preschool and I really liked it. The kids loved it, and the parents were really pleased. I had the parents pay a monthly fee for the curriculum to pay for it and didn't have any problems. I would like to use that same curriculum company with my little group now, but I hadn't been charging extra for preschool and I just told this family that I just offered the spot to that the rate included preschool. So am I stuck continuing all that work for free and not being able to purchase a curriculum kit unless I want to pay for it (which my husband already said we can't afford, so that's a no)? Or how would you word it that you want to purchase a curriculum now? I'm terrible with selling people on things and explaining how good it would be
I also offer preschool curriculum but not through any type of boxed or prepackaged curriculum, I offer it via play and very little sit down table type stuff, other than what ever center or activity I put out for the day.
I find different activities and printables from the internet, blogs I subscribe to and of course Pinterest.... all relatively inexpensive or free (other than my time).
Preschool/daycare teacher 07:25 AM 12-01-2015
Thank you everyone! I am also play based and do very little sit down work, but the curriculum I was considering is also a hands on, learn through play. I wouldn't use anything academic based with worksheets and lots of seat work since I believe that's not as effective as playing. I had been making up my own curriculum, but it's so time consuming and I'm not creative enough to come up with play based learning opportunities that go with each theme. Plus I'm afraid of missing something important for Kindergarten. I wrote my own curriculum the last year I was teaching at a preschool before it shut down and spent hours each evening, and on Saturdays trying to plan, find activities (and songs, fingerplays, games, etc), prepare, go to the Library for the books needed, shop for the specific supplies needed, gather the materials and items needed from around the preschool and put it all together so I'd have it that week when I needed it, etc. It was way too much time involvement, but the children were completely ready for Kindergarten and passed the entrance test with flying colors. I would just use that curriculum, but it involves copying a lot of things for crafts, etc, cutting things out, and everything else involved in doing my own curriculum besides just the planning part. And of course when I planned it then it was geared for the children I had then, and each lesson plans ends up needing revised for the particular group I have now. The curriculum did follow the NAEYC guidelines and the Childcare Quality Rating System our state has loved it. But it's just so time consuming and I'm married now and wasn't then, so I just don't have the time to do that anymore. Maybe my husband will spring for the individual theme packets Spedmommy4 mentioned. Especially if I tell him it's tax deductible 
I forgot about that part 
I forgot about that part
midaycare 07:47 AM 12-01-2015
Just a side note ... I barely do any sit down work with MGT. I think sometimes curriculums get a bad rap. I supplement MGT with my own (free) ideas, but I don't do any worksheets. There's a small booklet each month to practice letters and numbers, if you want to. But the time per month spent on that? 30 min, max.
We move so much during the day some days I practically collapse from exhaustion
We move so much during the day some days I practically collapse from exhaustion
mommiebookworm 08:11 AM 12-01-2015
Blackcat, what blogs do you follow? I'm always looking for more.
Blackcat31 08:18 AM 12-01-2015
Originally Posted by mommiebookworm:
Blackcat, what blogs do you follow? I'm always looking for more.
Are you on Pinterest?Blackcat, what blogs do you follow? I'm always looking for more.
daycare 09:00 AM 12-01-2015
I offer preschool. It is included in my rates.
I created mine about 7 years ago and use the same one over and over again. It never changes, I only add small things to the holidays. I have not spent any more money on it other than ink to print, plus paper.
I use mostly learn through play with the exception of writing with my pre kinders.
I created mine about 7 years ago and use the same one over and over again. It never changes, I only add small things to the holidays. I have not spent any more money on it other than ink to print, plus paper.
I use mostly learn through play with the exception of writing with my pre kinders.
spedmommy4 12:16 PM 12-01-2015
Originally Posted by Preschool/daycare teacher:
Thank you everyone! I am also play based and do very little sit down work, but the curriculum I was considering is also a hands on, learn through play. I wouldn't use anything academic based with worksheets and lots of seat work since I believe that's not as effective as playing. I had been making up my own curriculum, but it's so time consuming and I'm not creative enough to come up with play based learning opportunities that go with each theme. Plus I'm afraid of missing something important for Kindergarten. I wrote my own curriculum the last year I was teaching at a preschool before it shut down and spent hours each evening, and on Saturdays trying to plan, find activities (and songs, fingerplays, games, etc), prepare, go to the Library for the books needed, shop for the specific supplies needed, gather the materials and items needed from around the preschool and put it all together so I'd have it that week when I needed it, etc. It was way too much time involvement, but the children were completely ready for Kindergarten and passed the entrance test with flying colors. I would just use that curriculum, but it involves copying a lot of things for crafts, etc, cutting things out, and everything else involved in doing my own curriculum besides just the planning part. And of course when I planned it then it was geared for the children I had then, and each lesson plans ends up needing revised for the particular group I have now. The curriculum did follow the NAEYC guidelines and the Childcare Quality Rating System our state has loved it. But it's just so time consuming and I'm married now and wasn't then, so I just don't have the time to do that anymore. Maybe my husband will spring for the individual theme packets Spedmommy4 mentioned. Especially if I tell him it's tax deductible I forgot about that part
This is basically what I do. :-) Art should be open ended. A process, not the product. I ask the parents to bring recyclables and use Pinterest for inspiration. The themed packets are my "academics."Thank you everyone! I am also play based and do very little sit down work, but the curriculum I was considering is also a hands on, learn through play. I wouldn't use anything academic based with worksheets and lots of seat work since I believe that's not as effective as playing. I had been making up my own curriculum, but it's so time consuming and I'm not creative enough to come up with play based learning opportunities that go with each theme. Plus I'm afraid of missing something important for Kindergarten. I wrote my own curriculum the last year I was teaching at a preschool before it shut down and spent hours each evening, and on Saturdays trying to plan, find activities (and songs, fingerplays, games, etc), prepare, go to the Library for the books needed, shop for the specific supplies needed, gather the materials and items needed from around the preschool and put it all together so I'd have it that week when I needed it, etc. It was way too much time involvement, but the children were completely ready for Kindergarten and passed the entrance test with flying colors. I would just use that curriculum, but it involves copying a lot of things for crafts, etc, cutting things out, and everything else involved in doing my own curriculum besides just the planning part. And of course when I planned it then it was geared for the children I had then, and each lesson plans ends up needing revised for the particular group I have now. The curriculum did follow the NAEYC guidelines and the Childcare Quality Rating System our state has loved it. But it's just so time consuming and I'm married now and wasn't then, so I just don't have the time to do that anymore. Maybe my husband will spring for the individual theme packets Spedmommy4 mentioned. Especially if I tell him it's tax deductible
I forgot about that part
mommiebookworm 12:53 PM 12-01-2015
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Are you on Pinterest?
Yes I am!Are you on Pinterest?
Blackcat31 01:03 PM 12-01-2015
Originally Posted by mommiebookworm:
Yes I am!
I PM'ed you my Pinterest board with all my favorite blogs! Yes I am!
spedmommy4 02:28 PM 12-01-2015
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Are you on Pinterest?
I'm on Pinterest too. :-) I follow and pin a ton to boards on preschool art, science, math, etc. I use the same user name on Pinterest. (Spedmommyof4)Are you on Pinterest?
missT 02:44 PM 12-01-2015
As far as what you charge I think it would probably be difficult to ask your families to pay the extra but maybe you could include it next time you do your regular rate increase.
So far I've always used my own curriculum since it's what I learned in college and what I did in my preschool classrooms. I use the Portage Guide assessment to see where I need to work with each child the most and have an educational play based preschool type program in my home daycare. I like the curriculum I create but I'm definitely curious about pre-packaged curriculum since I have more to do with running my home daycare than I did the preschools I worked at and curriculum planning can be time consuming. What is MGT? What do those of you who order one use?
Thanks!
So far I've always used my own curriculum since it's what I learned in college and what I did in my preschool classrooms. I use the Portage Guide assessment to see where I need to work with each child the most and have an educational play based preschool type program in my home daycare. I like the curriculum I create but I'm definitely curious about pre-packaged curriculum since I have more to do with running my home daycare than I did the preschools I worked at and curriculum planning can be time consuming. What is MGT? What do those of you who order one use?
Thanks!
Blackcat31 03:02 PM 12-01-2015
Originally Posted by spedmommy4:
I'm on Pinterest too. :-) I follow and pin a ton to boards on preschool art, science, math, etc. I use the same user name on Pinterest. (Spedmommyof4)
I couldn't find you.. I'm on Pinterest too. :-) I follow and pin a ton to boards on preschool art, science, math, etc. I use the same user name on Pinterest. (Spedmommyof4)
so I PM'ed you my Pinterest link instead...
UDS1969 04:05 PM 12-01-2015
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I couldn't find you.. so I PM'ed you my Pinterest link instead...
I also use my own curriculum and supplement that with ideas I find on Pinterest etc. I have given much thought to purchasing curriculum but never made the move. If I did I would probably pay for it with a slight tuition increase.I couldn't find you..
so I PM'ed you my Pinterest link instead... Blackcat I would love it if you would share your favorite blogs please! I am always looking for new ideas to supplement my curriculum.
Unregistered 05:17 PM 12-01-2015
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
If preschool curriculum is something you want to offer, it should be included in your rates.
I also offer preschool curriculum but not through any type of boxed or prepackaged curriculum, I offer it via play and very little sit down table type stuff, other than what ever center or activity I put out for the day.
I find different activities and printables from the internet, blogs I subscribe to and of course Pinterest.... all relatively inexpensive or free (other than my time).
Blackcat,If preschool curriculum is something you want to offer, it should be included in your rates.
I also offer preschool curriculum but not through any type of boxed or prepackaged curriculum, I offer it via play and very little sit down table type stuff, other than what ever center or activity I put out for the day.
I find different activities and printables from the internet, blogs I subscribe to and of course Pinterest.... all relatively inexpensive or free (other than my time).
Would you mind elaborating more on what you do for preschool? Is it just the additional activity that you offer each day in addition to free play? Could you give an example or two of your favorite preschool activities that you have offered just to give an idea... And are the activities based off a daily or weekly theme?
I have a play based Reggio-inspired program, but the two preschool families I had opted to move to a different program (that is more academic based, offering MGT and other take home projects, curriculum focused on a letter of the week, ect, which has been discouraging to me to say the least. I feel like Im back at square 1 and could use some ideas.
spedmommy4 08:13 PM 12-01-2015
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
Blackcat,
Would you mind elaborating more on what you do for preschool? Is it just the additional activity that you offer each day in addition to free play? Could you give an example or two of your favorite preschool activities that you have offered just to give an idea... And are the activities based off a daily or weekly theme?
I have a play based Reggio-inspired program, but the two preschool families I had opted to move to a different program (that is more academic based, offering MGT and other take home projects, curriculum focused on a letter of the week, ect, which has been discouraging to me to say the least. I feel like Im back at square 1 and could use some ideas.
I have a lot of parents that choose my program specifically for preschool. This year, I am using Frog Street Press. I don't like it at all. It's too academic but I'm committed for a year. Blackcat,
Would you mind elaborating more on what you do for preschool? Is it just the additional activity that you offer each day in addition to free play? Could you give an example or two of your favorite preschool activities that you have offered just to give an idea... And are the activities based off a daily or weekly theme?
I have a play based Reggio-inspired program, but the two preschool families I had opted to move to a different program (that is more academic based, offering MGT and other take home projects, curriculum focused on a letter of the week, ect, which has been discouraging to me to say the least. I feel like Im back at square 1 and could use some ideas.
I've been supplementing with open process art projects and some fun themed activities. (See my post above)
You can see some examples of my program activities on my website: www.milestonesearlychildhood.com (page- a day at milestones). I post a ton of our activities on my Pinterest, which is also linked to my website.
On a personal note, I wouldn't take parents leaving for academic programs personally. It is not developmentally appropriate to push academics on young children. Research backs me up and if a parent doesn't agree they are free to find a program that will fit their families needs. You shouldn't change your philosophy for anyone. :-)
Sunshine74 09:26 PM 12-01-2015
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I PM'ed you my Pinterest board with all my favorite blogs!
Would you please send them to me, too. I'm always looking for new ideas.I PM'ed you my Pinterest board with all my favorite blogs!