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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>How Do You Prepare Families For Summer?
LaLa1923 11:54 AM 04-08-2013
How do you prepare your families for summer? Do you provide everything? Or do your families send in items like sunscreen?

I use a select few brands of sunscreen, I was thinking of sending home a note letting families know. I was also thinking about just having them donate sunscreen and everyone can use it.?

Any other tips for summer?
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canadiancare 11:57 AM 04-08-2013
Summer what's that? I need spring first.

I like the sunscreen spray sold at Costco. Kinesys is the brand. I usually ask for a bottle per family and supply my own after that. I don't like crocs so I also remind parents I prefer proper fitting strap on sandals or runners.
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Blackcat31 12:01 PM 04-08-2013
Two weeks before school lets out, I send a note home requesting the following items be brought in and left in each child's cubbie:

I don't provide sun screen or bug spray so parents can bring whatever kind they want. I require the first application of sun screen be applied BEFORE drop off in the mornings.

We do LOTS of water play so all kids are required to have swimsuits/towels and a set of extra clothing.

We also go on lots of walks so I require ALL kids to have closed toe tennis shoes that tie. NO Crocs or open toed sandals or flip flops allowed.
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blandino 12:38 PM 04-08-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Two weeks before school lets out, I send a note home requesting the following items be brought in and left in each child's cubbie:
  • sunscreen
  • swim suit
  • towel
  • bug spray
  • hat
  • sun glasses
  • tennis shoes (closed toe/laces)
  • extra pair of shorts, a tee and a hooded sweatshirt

I don't provide sun screen or bug spray so parents can bring whatever kind they want. I require the first application of sun screen be applied BEFORE drop off in the mornings.

We do LOTS of water play so all kids are required to have swimsuits/towels and a set of extra clothing.

We also go on lots of walks so I require ALL kids to have closed toe tennis shoes that tie. NO Crocs or open toed sandals or flip flops allowed.
Ditto. I just send home a note asking for these things. I also require that the first application of sunscreen comes on the child. Because it gets so hot where we live, most of out outdoor play in the summer is done before 10 am, so that layer on sunscreen normally is enough. But I do ask for some to reapply if I feel the need.

Also, just a note to all providers who use their own sunscreen - some children can be highly allergic to spray on sunscreens. I don't know what the difference in formulation is - but we had one child develop a very nasty rash when we were providing sunscreen for everyone.
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Blackcat31 12:44 PM 04-08-2013
Originally Posted by blandino:
Also, just a note to all providers who use their own sunscreen - some children can be highly allergic to spray on sunscreens. I don't know what the difference in formulation is - but we had one child develop a very nasty rash when we were providing sunscreen for everyone.


Which is EXACTLY why I require parents to supply.

That way the brand and type they use is up to them.

I also have everyone sign a permission slip for me to re-apply.
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tenderhearts 12:46 PM 04-08-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Two weeks before school lets out, I send a note home requesting the following items be brought in and left in each child's cubbie:
  • sunscreen
  • swim suit
  • towel
  • bug spray
  • hat
  • sun glasses
  • tennis shoes (closed toe/laces)
  • extra pair of shorts, a tee and a hooded sweatshirt

I don't provide sun screen or bug spray so parents can bring whatever kind they want. I require the first application of sun screen be applied BEFORE drop off in the mornings.

We do LOTS of water play so all kids are required to have swimsuits/towels and a set of extra clothing.

We also go on lots of walks so I require ALL kids to have closed toe tennis shoes that tie. NO Crocs or open toed sandals or flip flops allowed.
I do the same and let them know we'll be playing in sprinkler ect and outside as much as possible. I also provide sunscreen but let them know they have to if there is a certain brand they prefer.
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daycarediva 01:14 PM 04-08-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Two weeks before school lets out, I send a note home requesting the following items be brought in and left in each child's cubbie:
  • sunscreen
  • swim suit
  • towel
  • bug spray
  • hat
  • sun glasses
  • tennis shoes (closed toe/laces)
  • extra pair of shorts, a tee and a hooded sweatshirt

I don't provide sun screen or bug spray so parents can bring whatever kind they want. I require the first application of sun screen be applied BEFORE drop off in the mornings.

We do LOTS of water play so all kids are required to have swimsuits/towels and a set of extra clothing.

We also go on lots of walks so I require ALL kids to have closed toe tennis shoes that tie. NO Crocs or open toed sandals or flip flops allowed.
This, but in addition, families can chose to write a check (I think $25 this year will cover it but I haven't priced everything out yet) and I supply swimsuit, towel, hat, sunscreen & bug spray.

I have a friend who owns a children's consignment shop, and she gives/nearly gives me amazing deals that I stock up my supply with. I have 6 complete sets of SPF hats/shirts/shorts that are pretty unisex, and I have purchased SPF wrap around sunglasses from her as well. Everything stays here, so the money is like a rental fee + sunscreen and I use organic/all natural insect repellant that is fairly inexpensive.
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jenn 01:26 PM 04-08-2013
I send home a note (actually doing it this week) reminding them of our summer policies.

"This time of year it can still be chilly during our morning play time, so sending a lightweight jacket is a good idea. This jacket can remain in your child's cubby if you wish. Children will not be allowed to stay inside and we will not cancel outdoor play time due to failure to dress properly or provide proper supplies."

"Sunscreen should be applied prior to arrival. Before afternoon playtime, I will reapply sunscreen. Please bring a bottle (not spray) of suncreen labeled with your child's name. When you are running low, I will let you know. If you do not provide sunscreen, your child will not receive any."

We have a form (required) that has to be filled out in order to apply anything to a child, sunscreen, diaper rash cream,...

"Please keep in mind that we play hard and are very active. Your child is required to wear shoes at all times during care. Flip flops come off easily and are a trip/fall hazard. Open toe sandals can also be a trip/fall hazard. Please make your summer shoe choice carefully."
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snbauser 01:38 PM 04-08-2013
I supply a hat and sunscreen unless the parents request otherwise. I find it easier to just have one sunscreen to apply to everyone. I line them up at the door and as each one steps outside I spray them down. Parents have to supply a swimsuit and towel and make sure there is a change of clothes in their cubbies at all times. Also if they are wearing tennis shoes they must have another pair of shoes in their cubbies.
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spud912 02:05 PM 04-08-2013
Every April I send home the winter "gear" and have parents return with summer "gear." This includes spare summer clothes (2 outfits for non-potty trained and one for potty-trained), one swimming suit and one bottle of sunscreen of their choice. When October rolls around, I do the switch around (spare winter clothes and one jacket).
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clep 02:16 PM 04-08-2013
This was just addressed in my newsletter sent out at the beginning of the month.

The entire contents of the children's cubbies will be shipped home on Friday and Monday parents are required to bring:

A sun hat that covers the ears
Quick dry shoes the child can put on by themselves, that stay on well.
A cool outfit with shorts and shirt
A warm outfit with pants and long sleeves
A towel
Swimsuit
Outside water bottle
Bug spray if their child is using
I supply the sunscreen dependent on the needs of the child
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LaLa1923 04:55 PM 04-08-2013
Originally Posted by clep:
This was just addressed in my newsletter sent out at the beginning of the month.

The entire contents of the children's cubbies will be shipped home on Friday and Monday parents are required to bring:

A sun hat that covers the ears
Quick dry shoes the child can put on by themselves, that stay on well.
A cool outfit with shorts and shirt
A warm outfit with pants and long sleeves
A towel
Swimsuit
Outside water bottle
Bug spray if their child is using
I supply the sunscreen dependent on the needs of the child

How do you make a newsletter?
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LaLa1923 04:56 PM 04-08-2013
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
This, but in addition, families can chose to write a check (I think $25 this year will cover it but I haven't priced everything out yet) and I supply swimsuit, towel, hat, sunscreen & bug spray.

I have a friend who owns a children's consignment shop, and she gives/nearly gives me amazing deals that I stock up my supply with. I have 6 complete sets of SPF hats/shirts/shorts that are pretty unisex, and I have purchased SPF wrap around sunglasses from her as well. Everything stays here, so the money is like a rental fee + sunscreen and I use organic/all natural insect repellant that is fairly inexpensive.
What kind of bug spray do you buy..?
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LaLa1923 05:12 PM 04-08-2013
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
This, but in addition, families can chose to write a check (I think $25 this year will cover it but I haven't priced everything out yet) and I supply swimsuit, towel, hat, sunscreen & bug spray.

I have a friend who owns a children's consignment shop, and she gives/nearly gives me amazing deals that I stock up my supply with. I have 6 complete sets of SPF hats/shirts/shorts that are pretty unisex, and I have purchased SPF wrap around sunglasses from her as well. Everything stays here, so the money is like a rental fee + sunscreen and I use organic/all natural insect repellant that is fairly inexpensive.
What kind of bug spray do you buy..?
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AmyKidsCo 08:12 PM 04-08-2013
I use Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus sunscreen/insect repellent. I like it because it's 2 products in one, and comes in spray form. But the parents can bring something different if they want to.
http://www.amazon.com/Avon-Bug-Guard.../dp/B00097AKEK
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DaisyMamma 01:57 PM 04-09-2013
I supply bug spray&h sunscreen but require parents to chip in.
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Country Kids 02:05 PM 04-09-2013
Each year my parents receive a newletter the first of May. It covers things needed for the summer, who will be here for the summer, and summer schedule.

I have 5 sets of clothes pretty much per child. Parents have to supply a change of clothes for the amount of days their child is here-3 days, 3 sets, etc. This is year round, not just for summer.

We wear rain boots all year. That way tennis shoes aren't getting soaked everyday and I don't allow any open toe type shoe. I may allow water sandals this year but not sure.

Also, I'm changing it to supply the sunscrean this year. Here, we have to have it labeled with the childs name and locked up like the medicine/fist aid supplies. So to have 12 bottles of sunscreen labeled and locked is not feasiable. Also, it has to be the rub on kind, we aren't allowed to use the spray on kind, so instead of not being supplied properly I will just buy it and go from there.
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sharlan 02:21 PM 04-09-2013
I have the parents supply 4 spray cans of Coppertone sunscreen which I put into one bucket and we use one can before opening the next one. After that, I supply the sunscreen and I also buy a sunscreen cream for the kids' faces. We go through A LOT of sunscreen here.

I have the parents provide me with a swim suit (or 2 if they want), watersocks to be worn at the water parks and beach, and a hat. I don't care what kind of shoes they have as long as they fit right and the child can walk in them.

I've always provided the towels so I wouldn't have to worry about whose towel it was or if it got lost. This year I am going to buy cheap towels and sew on a stripe of ribbon, 2 towels per child. I'm hoping that cuts down on the towel usage for the pool.

I just bought some string backpacks from Oriental Trading and bought matching water bottles from Michael's. Each child will have their own backpack, water bottle, and towel in matching colors. I am going to buy the little matching backpacks for outings where we need a snack and a water bottle, like the parks or movies.

My grandkids have 6 more weeks of school, then it's beach and Raging Waters time. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!
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MNMum 02:29 PM 04-09-2013
I actually love crocs and was going to request all of my daycare kids have them. The kids can get them on themselves!
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EntropyControlSpecialist 05:03 PM 04-09-2013
I don't provide anything extra for each child.

I changed it up this year and decided I WOULD apply sunscreen IF they sent a spray bottle. I have only had 1 parent who applies sunscreen in the summer, and they are the only ones who returned a sunscreen bottle with the medication form filled out.

Originally Posted by :
Spray sunscreen will be administered to your child if a parent/guardian brings the proper supplies. This will occur in a well-ventilated area 30 minutes prior to going to recess, which allows the sunscreen enough time to attach to the skin.

What is needed?
• A spray sunscreen bottle labeled with your child’s name.
• The “Permission to Administer Medication (sunscreen)” form filled out.

The first application of sunscreen will need to be administered by the parent prior to arriving at Preschool. Please do not attempt to put sunscreen on your child while in ___’s facility, as this will trap the vapors created by the spray sunscreen in the facility and create an unhealthy environment for us to learn and play in.
Sunscreen that is not in a spray bottle will be sent back home. Thank you

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EAP 05:10 PM 04-09-2013
Last year I supplied sunscreen (based on my personal choices regarding chemicals) so I spent a lot of my money on what I want for my kids. This year I decided to have parents supply it and I have been really surprised that not one of them cared about the sunscreen ingredients like I do, oh well! Lesson learned ! I don't supply any topical items!
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LaLa1923 06:50 PM 04-09-2013
Originally Posted by EAP:
Last year I supplied sunscreen (based on my personal choices regarding chemicals) so I spent a lot of my money on what I want for my kids. This year I decided to have parents supply it and I have been really surprised that not one of them cared about the sunscreen ingredients like I do, oh well! Lesson learned ! I don't supply any topical items!
I know! ! Exactly this!, I use California Baby and I'm asking all parents to bring in a bottle.
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LaLa1923 06:52 PM 04-09-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:


Which is EXACTLY why I require parents to supply.

That way the brand and type they use is up to them.

I also have everyone sign a permission slip for me to re-apply.
So then you wash your hands after you apply sunscreen to each child?
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Country Kids 08:29 AM 04-10-2013
I was wondering the same thing! If I use something different on each child, my hands would have to be washed thoroughly because it would be considered applying a different sunscreen then the parents wanted to their child with what was left on my hands from the previous child.

It would like giving a child another childs medicine.
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ksmith 08:36 AM 04-10-2013
When I worked in a center I used gloves after applying sunscreen to each child, since I didn't have a sink in the classroom.
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Blackcat31 08:49 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by LaLa1923:
So then you wash your hands after you apply sunscreen to each child?
Nope, I do like previous poster said and wear gloves.

I have extremely sensitive skin so I use gloves for EVERYTHING.

I probably use a box of latex like gloves on a weekly basis.

Most my parents bring the spray on sun screen too and that is hand's free so gotta love that.
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SilverSabre25 08:53 AM 04-10-2013
Summer, shmummer, right now my parents need to be told what to do about spring. Rain in the forecast and a nonoptional twice a day walk to the bus stop, and did anyone wear a coat? Nope.
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Country Kids 09:06 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Nope, I do like previous poster said and wear gloves.

I have extremely sensitive skin so I use gloves for EVERYTHING.

I probably use a box of latex like gloves on a weekly basis.

Most my parents bring the spray on sun screen too and that is hand's free so gotta love that.
We can't use spray on here-extreme big no,no. I had to send it all home last year. They had just changed the rule and no one knew. I guess alot of people were having it brought up at inspections and then a massive email went out.

I would go through through at least a box every two-three days if I did gloves. Also the majority of the kids bring the same type of sunscreen so I might as well just supply it, instead of having to have it all marked with different names and 12 bottles locked up.
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Blackcat31 11:46 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by Country Kids:
We can't use spray on here-extreme big no,no. I had to send it all home last year. They had just changed the rule and no one knew. I guess alot of people were having it brought up at inspections and then a massive email went out.

I would go through through at least a box every two-three days if I did gloves. Also the majority of the kids bring the same type of sunscreen so I might as well just supply it, instead of having to have it all marked with different names and 12 bottles locked up.
I guess that is where I am lucky to live where I live. So far our state has not been huge on micro managing child care providers. I don't have to use a specific type, kind or brand of sun screen. Parents can choose what type they want used on their child.

I also think wearing gloves is a safety/health thing as well as an extra precautionary method when touching the skin of one child and then touching another. Makes it much more sanitary IMHO.

I am also not required to lock up sun screen. The kids each have their own baskets by their cubbies and they keep their sun screen can, bottle or tube in their baskets. Granted the kids don't have access to their baskets but they aren't "locked" up.
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Country Kids 02:00 PM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I guess that is where I am lucky to live where I live. So far our state has not been huge on micro managing child care providers. I don't have to use a specific type, kind or brand of sun screen. Parents can choose what type they want used on their child.

I also think wearing gloves is a safety/health thing as well as an extra precautionary method when touching the skin of one child and then touching another. Makes it much more sanitary IMHO.

I am also not required to lock up sun screen. The kids each have their own baskets by their cubbies and they keep their sun screen can, bottle or tube in their baskets. Granted the kids don't have access to their baskets but they aren't "locked" up.
See, we have to apply every 1-2 hours so I would be flying through the gloves everyday. So it will be much easier just using the same kind for each child.
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LaLa1923 03:38 PM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Nope, I do like previous poster said and wear gloves.

I have extremely sensitive skin so I use gloves for EVERYTHING.

I probably use a box of latex like gloves on a weekly basis.

Most my parents bring the spray on sun screen too and that is hand's free so gotta love that.
I LOVE spray on sunscreen! ! Only I haven't found one yet without some very terrible ingredients. .
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Country Kids 08:46 PM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by LaLa1923:
I LOVE spray on sunscreen! ! Only I haven't found one yet without some very terrible ingredients. .
Thats why we can't do it-the kids breathing it in when sprayed. Huge no, no here!

So either use it on the arms/hands/legs/feet and then have a lotion type for the face.

Thats why its just easier to go with the lotion for everything.
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Blackcat31 07:16 AM 04-11-2013
Originally Posted by LaLa1923:
I LOVE spray on sunscreen! ! Only I haven't found one yet without some very terrible ingredients. .
Try any of these brands/types. They aren't aerosol sprays but pump sprays instead and although I haven't used all of these brands, I have had several mom's supply a couple of them.

http://www.bienella.com/category_s/46.htm

http://www.goodthingsgreenthings.com...den-_p_31.html

http://www.allterrainco.com/ecommerc...een-spray.html

http://www.greenbeaver.com/body/suns...-for-kids.html

HTH
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