Daycare.com Forum
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>where to put everyone????????
Unregistered 10:26 AM 09-30-2011
I need ideas for our daycare eating area. I have a smaller dining room and right now I have 8 highchairs. In the summer and during breaks I have to add seating for 2 more daycare kids and my own 6 kids.
How do you balance family space and daycare space? I would love to see pictures of your eating area set up so I can maybe get some ideas.
How do you balance family space and daycare space? I would love to see pictures of your eating area set up so I can maybe get some ideas.
cheerfuldom 10:41 AM 09-30-2011
so you have 16 total in your own dining room?? sounds like you need a bigger house....
Cat Herder 10:50 AM 09-30-2011
In your shoes I'd go for folding picnic tables.
They go for about $80 online.
(picnic mart)
They go for about $80 online.
(picnic mart)Attached:
folding picnic table.jpg (31.6 KB)
Crazy8 11:06 AM 09-30-2011
how old are your daycare kids?? Are they all so young they need to be in highchairs?? I hate high chairs, have only owned one in the past 12 years and only had it for a few years (because I had a corner bench style kitchen table).
I use a kid table and have chairs in 3 different heights for the kids. Trying to attach a pic...
For younger babies I have used either those highchair things that attach to a kitchen chair (but I use them on the floor in the playroom), or I use the FP infant-toddler rocker. I'm thinking of trying the type of seat that attaches to a table but not sure if it will work on the table I have in the playroom.
My own kids sit in the kitchen for meals if they are home.
I use a kid table and have chairs in 3 different heights for the kids. Trying to attach a pic...
For younger babies I have used either those highchair things that attach to a kitchen chair (but I use them on the floor in the playroom), or I use the FP infant-toddler rocker. I'm thinking of trying the type of seat that attaches to a table but not sure if it will work on the table I have in the playroom.
My own kids sit in the kitchen for meals if they are home.
DCMom 11:16 AM 09-30-2011
Eight highchairs?? No way, I have two and I graduate the babies out of them ASAP because they take up so much room, lol!
I have two highchairs, two regular chairs with boosters and two benches so I can seat twelve. Summer and school off days we use the kids table and chairs from the playroom. That seats six.
I have two highchairs, two regular chairs with boosters and two benches so I can seat twelve. Summer and school off days we use the kids table and chairs from the playroom. That seats six.
boysx5 11:22 AM 09-30-2011
I use a picnic table for my over two's and only have two high chairs for the 2 under two and they are space saver ones. I use my basement so we just eat on the table down there
cheerfuldom 11:24 AM 09-30-2011
anyone that uses a sippy and self feeds goes to the table here. I do use boosters. if I have to have a high chair, I pick the most minimalist one I can find. Ikea had a great one!
here's a pic
http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/drool...from-ikea.aspx
here's a pic
http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/drool...from-ikea.aspx
Meeko 11:34 AM 09-30-2011
I use a clip on high chair on the counter for the smallest child.
The rest sit at these tables. I have four of them. I got the tables at Sams Club for $40 each. The legs fold up and then the table top folds in half. Storage is a snap! I LOVE the fact that the height of the tables can be altered. The lowest is what I use for the kids. The next height is adult eating height (so I can grab these tables and use them at home when we have tons of company) and the highest is counter height. I have used these tables not just for kids, but for holidays, yard sales, crafts for my daughters and their friends.....one of the best purchases I've made.
The rest sit at these tables. I have four of them. I got the tables at Sams Club for $40 each. The legs fold up and then the table top folds in half. Storage is a snap! I LOVE the fact that the height of the tables can be altered. The lowest is what I use for the kids. The next height is adult eating height (so I can grab these tables and use them at home when we have tons of company) and the highest is counter height. I have used these tables not just for kids, but for holidays, yard sales, crafts for my daughters and their friends.....one of the best purchases I've made.
Attached:
lunchroom2.JPG (486.9 KB)
MommyMuffin 11:42 AM 09-30-2011
I have a rectangle kids table. They are a little spendy but I got mine at a daycare forclosure sale. It seats 6 kids if need be, the 2.5 yo and up sit there.
I have 1 highchair, the 8 month old is fed before I start cooking and the 12 month old goes on there next. My kitchen table seats 6 and I have booster chairs on a few for the 15 - 2.5 yo that like to leave the table without asking to be excused.
If you can use your kitchen too and you have a breakfast bar, they make the chairs that clamp on the counter.
I have 1 highchair, the 8 month old is fed before I start cooking and the 12 month old goes on there next. My kitchen table seats 6 and I have booster chairs on a few for the 15 - 2.5 yo that like to leave the table without asking to be excused.
If you can use your kitchen too and you have a breakfast bar, they make the chairs that clamp on the counter.
mom2many 11:56 AM 09-30-2011
I phased out high chairs, b/c they take up too much space in my dining room and are a pain to store when not in use. My youngest is 10 mths and I currently have a 1 yr old, and three 2 yr olds. I use the Fisher Price Healthy Care booster seats that fold compactly---easy to clean and disinfect and store away. They strap on securely to my dining room chairs and work well for the little ones! 
They only run $25, so they are much cheaper than a high chair too!
They only run $25, so they are much cheaper than a high chair too!