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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>How Often Do You Bring The Kids Out?
DaycareMom 11:52 AM 05-08-2014
I am wondering how often you bring the kids on "trips" - park, library, etc.

Last summer I was doing once per week trips to the park and library. I find it to be such a hassle and difficult to watch all 5-6 of them with so many other kids there (and ofc the moms who don't watch their children).

We have a swing set, jungle gym, play house, sand box, basically everything they have at the park ... would it be terrible to cut back and maybe alternate library and park trips?

What do you all do?
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sharlan 11:57 AM 05-08-2014
During the school year, not so much.

During the summer, we go out 3 - 4 days a week. M - park, T - water park, W - aquarium or museum, Th - beach, F - we generally stay home.

Do what YOU are comfortable in doing.
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melilley 12:01 PM 05-08-2014
I don't take the kids anywhere, I am a field trip free home. Don't get me wrong, I would love to get out of the house, but I have 5-6 kids all 3 and under by myself and I don't think any trips outside of the house would go very well!
When I am low on numbers, we do walk around the block.

I don't think it would be bad to cut back. It sounds like you have lots of activities for them to do!
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debbiedoeszip 12:16 PM 05-08-2014
Directly behind my backyard is an large, grassy elementary school yard. Adjoining it (no fence, or other kind of barrier between them) is a large (military base) community playground (with both toddler and older kids play structures and swings). Other than daily visits to the community playground, or in summer to the school play structure, we won't be having any trips away from the daycare.

I don't drive (never have) and it's just too much walking to go anywhere. The only other places we could walk to are the other community playgrounds (and what's the point) or the community outdoor pool (which is way outside of my comfort zone as a provider).
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spinnymarie 12:23 PM 05-08-2014
We walk to the park when it's nice and when we feel like it - sometimes every day for a week, other times we will stay home for a whole week. Other than that... nada. I dont think it would be bad at.all. to cut back
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Blackcat31 12:25 PM 05-08-2014
Originally Posted by melilley:
I don't take the kids anywhere, I am a field trip free home. Don't get me wrong, I would love to get out of the house, but I have 5-6 kids all 3 and under by myself and I don't think any trips outside of the house would go very well!
When I am low on numbers, we do walk around the block.

I don't think it would be bad to cut back. It sounds like you have lots of activities for them to do!
Pretty similar here too.

I don't do a lot of field trips. Used to but it's too stressful so I don't bother anymore.

Most kids are never taught how to behave in public (since they are usually left at daycare when mom/dad need to run an errand)

and

Most parents forget to send their child prepared (entry fees, correct clothing, permission slips etc)

So I stopped doing them. We do go for a walk at least 3x's a week but usually it's only around the block or to the park a few blocks over.

Other than that....my yard is the only "field" my DCK's get.
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Jack Sprat 12:44 PM 05-08-2014
When I have 5 kids or less we go to Wal-Mart...more so in the winter then any other time. Other then that we walk everyday, go to the park 1x a week, and walk to the local grocery store etc. It also depends on the kids that I have on where we go.
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josie2014 12:44 PM 05-08-2014
we go to the park 2 3 times week and we play out almost every day if the weather is nice.I don't drive with dck,I just used my quad stroller . Otherwise we play in my deck with outdoors toys.
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kathiemarie 12:44 PM 05-08-2014
E V E R Y D A Y! I would go crazy if I had to stay home. I belong to an dc association and there is always someone to go the park with. Today we went to a cute little petting zoo about a half hour away. I also do a lot of field trips on my own.
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TwinKristi 01:07 PM 05-08-2014
Originally Posted by melilley:
I don't take the kids anywhere, I am a field trip free home. Don't get me wrong, I would love to get out of the house, but I have 5-6 kids all 3 and under by myself and I don't think any trips outside of the house would go very well!
When I am low on numbers, we do walk around the block.

I don't think it would be bad to cut back. It sounds like you have lots of activities for them to do!


I used to take kids to the park when I had less kids, but now I've accumulated more toys (and kids!) so we stay here now. No way I could take 6 kids (18mos to 3.5y) to the park or library or anywhere safely. Dh & I took the 3 one yr olds to the pumpkin patch together last Oct and that was fun, but I have twice as many kids now and can't see that working well. I would literally have to have every seat in my car fitted with a car seat and while I do have 3-4 for trips to drop off at baseball if dh isn't home, I don't have 6 and it wouldn't include my own kids who then wouldn't fit! LOL
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jenboo 01:26 PM 05-08-2014
We don't go anywhere. I don't have a vehicle that will seat 6 kids..I actually done have a vehicle I sold it when I opened the daycare. There werent enough seats for the kids and my DH is home from work before I'm off so it works out good. We do not have anywhere within walking distance from us. I would also be a nervous wreck taking 6 kids that don't belong to me out in public by myself.
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Laurel 01:49 PM 05-08-2014
Originally Posted by spinnymarie:
We walk to the park when it's nice and when we feel like it - sometimes every day for a week, other times we will stay home for a whole week. Other than that... nada. I dont think it would be bad at.all. to cut back
We do the same and also walks and occasionally the corner store.
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akpayne 01:52 PM 05-08-2014
In the winter we go out 2x a week to playgroups and library. In the summer, we go out almost everyday. We do long nature walks, park, splash pad or beach. I like to get out and stay busy makes the day fly by!
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CraftyMom 04:03 PM 05-08-2014
At least once a week to the park.

I used to go to the library until I had a group that just wouldn't stop running around in there, so we stopped that lol. Mostly we go to parks and an indoor playground nearby for rainy or winter days.

We also go for walks at least once a week. Other than that we are outside A LOT in the yard!

I am starting a once a month open gym at a gymnastics center, we'll see how that goes.
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daycare 04:13 PM 05-08-2014
as often as my auto insurance will allow which is less than 50% of the time that we conduct business
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llpa 04:37 PM 05-08-2014
I don't transport dcks anywhere. Not because I don't want to, but honestly I don't miss it. Insurance and logistics prevent me from going out w them. I do, however, bring folks in to do things with them ( like the local library group who comes in and acts out stories in costume... They are great!)and this summer the traveling gym bus is going to stop at our place twice a month.
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TigerLily 04:58 PM 05-08-2014
Every other week on Wednesday we go to a story hour/craft time at a library, other than that not so much. That being said, I have 2 part time families, one t/th and one w/f. I don't take the t/th kids anywhere.
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nothingwithoutjoy 05:12 PM 05-08-2014
How often we go out varies greatly with the group and their interests. But we are home far more often than out. And when we do go out, we go to the same places again and again. I think kids today are toted around from place to place way too often, at parents' convenience, or because parents think they need to be entertained, or because of our overscheduled lives these days. I prefer for kids to get lost in deep deep play that comes from really knowing a place rather than needing new, new, new all the time.

So, for example, we might spend weeks on end in the backyard. But then, when the sound of a big vehicle invites us down the street to investigate, we might go out every day for a while to watch the construction happening on the next block.

That said, some things we do for my own sanity. We take a walk on a rainy day when I'm sick of playing in the mud. We go out to eat because I can't cook one more meal without going insane. We pick up the farm share together partly because I think it's a good learning experience, but partly because it saves me an after-hours errand. Self-care is good, too. :-)
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Crazy8 06:13 PM 05-08-2014
I don't transport dc kids at all so we don't go anywhere except a little public playground we have in our development.
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jenboo 06:47 PM 05-08-2014
Originally Posted by llpa:
I don't transport dcks anywhere. Not because I don't want to, but honestly I don't miss it. Insurance and logistics prevent me from going out w them. I do, however, bring folks in to do things with them ( like the local library group who comes in and acts out stories in costume... They are great!)and this summer the traveling gym bus is going to stop at our place twice a month.
I would love to bring people into our daycare to do stuff with the kids but I cant find anything how did you find the library group? We have a tumblebus in town (im assuming its similar to the gym bus) but they wont come to us because its not worth their time and money for 5 kids
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Josiegirl 03:00 AM 05-09-2014
Hardly ever anymore. When I had a minivan(it was an 8 seater)I'd take all 6 kids and go to the library, picnics at the playgrounds, those types of trips. Pack up the double stroller and go. Now that I can only fit(squish) 3 car seats in the back seat and because my kids are mostly younger, I hardly ever bring them anywhere. I really miss it. It was a great way to break up our days.
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SquirrellyMama 04:38 AM 05-09-2014
Originally Posted by kathiemarie:
E V E R Y D A Y! I would go crazy if I had to stay home. I belong to an dc association and there is always someone to go the park with. Today we went to a cute little petting zoo about a half hour away. I also do a lot of field trips on my own.
Amen! I'm an extrovert and need to get out of my house, and be around people. Today we are going on a creamery tour and 4H.

When the kids were little we would go to the zoo, living history museum, library, science center and the park. I was willing to watch 6 kids who were 4 and under just to interact with other adults.

Kelly
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coolconfidentme 04:50 AM 05-09-2014
N.E.V.E.R.

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EntropyControlSpecialist 05:39 AM 05-09-2014
Parks daily. Never elsewhere.
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BumbleBee 06:19 AM 05-09-2014
We *try* to take a walk every day. Some days I see the overall group behavior and go, "nope." Generally we walk to the post office to check the mail (5 blocks), walk to the school to p/u the school age dck (4 blocks), or walk on a bike/walk trail just down the road from us (2 blocks).

I don't drive them anywhere.
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Cradle2crayons 05:47 PM 05-09-2014
We don't have neighborhood parks and we can't walk the block either so we go on field trips quite often.

At least 3-4 times a week. Not all are organized field trips. Some are errands or walmart type outings.

We go to the zoo, the park three cities over, the children's museum, the splash park in the summer, the kiddie water park if husband is home, horseback riding occasionally because my friend owns the local horses for handicapped place. If it's just the older ones we go bowling and skating sometimes also.

My kids are ages 11 months, age 28 months but she's my heart baby that's the size of a 6-9 month old, age 21 months my other heart daycare kid, 4 year old and my own two kids ages almost 6 and 11 years.
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jenn 06:17 PM 05-09-2014
We never leave my property. We play inside and in the backyard.
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melskids 01:27 PM 05-10-2014
It depends on what kids are here. I plan based on who listens well, who gets along with who, ages, how many infants, who can be a good helper, etc.

I know that sounds terrible, but it makes our trips so much easier.

I try not to leave anyone out. I rotate who goes where so everyone gets a few field trips in. Parents who are not scheduled for the day are always welcome to tag along and watch their own child.

Last year we ALL went to the zoo. (I'm only allowed 6 plus 2 SA, but I have 13 or so part timers all enrolled.) I had my six, and then everyone else drove themselves or carpooled with each other. It was a great day!
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misslori50 08:07 AM 05-12-2014
we dont go out much. If I had all and 4 year olds we would. I ventured out with them all a couple weeks ago and it took so long to get ready.
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MrsSteinel'sHouse 09:18 AM 05-12-2014
I do not transport unless for some reason I only have 3 or under kidos. I have had days that I have just had 2 little girls then we would go on a "road trip" generally the library and to feed the ducks. But I haven't had those days since the beginning of last summer!! So, I would say never.

We go for a walk around the block every day and we play outside on the patio or in the backyard as long as the weather permits.
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Christina72684 09:45 AM 05-12-2014
Originally Posted by sharlan:
During the school year, not so much.

During the summer, we go out 3 - 4 days a week. M - park, T - water park, W - aquarium or museum, Th - beach, F - we generally stay home.

Do what YOU are comfortable in doing.

I am SO jealous of that! I'm from IN and would love to go to water parks and the beach!
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Christina72684 09:55 AM 05-12-2014
I want to more field trips, but it's pretty difficult with the group we have. We have 8 kids 3-5 so that would require 2 vehicles, and then we have 12 kids 2yrs and under at our other building. So far we've done 2 yearly field trips: one in June to a Zoo an hour and a half away, and one in October to a pumpkin farm that has mazes and is 45mins away. Both trips we have parents come help chaperon. The Zoo trip will be the first time we've had this many babies, so we might not take all the kids.
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llpa 10:05 AM 05-12-2014
Originally Posted by jenboo:
I would love to bring people into our daycare to do stuff with the kids but I cant find anything how did you find the library group? We have a tumblebus in town (im assuming its similar to the gym bus) but they wont come to us because its not worth their time and money for 5 kids
I can understand the bus not wanting to come but they charge by the time they spend here. So if I pay for a half hour and have five kids I just have to know how much one on one they will each get. So if I pay they will come regardless. As for the library it was our county librarian who suggested coming to read to the kids. She found me!!! Gave me some free books also and I found another older lady who dresses up and reads to them or brings puppets. She charges ten dollars and comes once a month. Found her at a local festival. She was doing face painting and passing her card. Thats the extent of it. Certainly not as much as if I was taking them out. That just isn't going to work for me right now tho.
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nothingwithoutjoy 10:25 AM 05-12-2014
Sounds like lots of people assume field trips mean the car. I've been doing family child care for 7 1/2 years; only drove kids anywhere this year (I was down to 3 kids on Mondays, so I signed us up for swim lessons and kept the low numbers for a bit). Now I'm carless again (back up to 6 kids), but that doesn't mean we don't go anywhere. We walk. We can go about a mile (limited by time; that gives us enough time to get somewhere, spend a good chunk of time, and get home in time for nap). Some places we go:
stream at the end of our road
to watch construction sites
community gardens
our farm share
park with playground
park without playground (nature focused)
bakery
cafe
library
hardware store
post office
to play in nearby woods
foraging for wild foods
fire station
to see the donkeys around the block from us

If you want to go on field trips, I bet there's someplace worth walking.

ed. to add a p.s. to the OP: no, it's not terrible to cut back. If you never want to go on a field trip, and you provide a rich experience at home, there's nothing wrong with that, either!
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wdmmom 11:06 AM 05-12-2014
I have no interest in carrying commercial auto coverage so I can haul my group around. If we can't walk to where we want to go, we don't go.

We do walks around the neighborhood and go to the park that's 3 blocks away. Picnics are always a hit...as long as the bugs stay at bay.

In terms of going outside...usually 2 days a week...maybe 3. Weather pending.
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llpa 11:08 AM 05-12-2014
I would love to walk anywhere with my dcks but the space I rent for dc is on a busy street with no sidewalks. We can get out into our fenced play area safely and walk the grounds around our blding, but thats as far as it goes safely.
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renodeb 01:14 PM 05-12-2014
No that would not be terrible at all. I have a very young group (which includes two infants) and we rarely go out. Its just to hard to keep to a schedule. I get the kids out twice a day here and we have everything they need in my backyard.
Deb
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My3cents 11:48 AM 05-15-2014
Originally Posted by melilley:
I don't take the kids anywhere, I am a field trip free home. Don't get me wrong, I would love to get out of the house, but I have 5-6 kids all 3 and under by myself and I don't think any trips outside of the house would go very well!
When I am low on numbers, we do walk around the block.

I don't think it would be bad to cut back. It sounds like you have lots of activities for them to do!
your not alone.

Many of the field trips I feel should be done first with the parents. I have all parents that would do this with the kids, so its not like they are missing out or never being exposed. I don't want the liability. I do plenty of things with them at care~
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My3cents 11:51 AM 05-15-2014
Originally Posted by kathiemarie:
E V E R Y D A Y! I would go crazy if I had to stay home. I belong to an dc association and there is always someone to go the park with. Today we went to a cute little petting zoo about a half hour away. I also do a lot of field trips on my own.
that's why when daycare is done I skedaddle out to my activities.
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KatieG 01:16 PM 05-15-2014
Never - too much hassle since the oldest that I currently have is 2yo. And we rarely go outside - from yard has no fence, and backyard has an inground pool. This is one of the reasons I specialize in infants & toddlers - no recess, no field trips required.
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akmama 08:59 PM 05-19-2014
Every day! I meet up with a few other providers every day, we go to parks, open gyms, playlands, zoo, water parks, the library, bounce houses..etc.
at first it was alot of work but it feels like more work to kep them in all day now I personally could not do daycare without the adult interaction and help I get from the other providers.
Ive done it with all age groups too.
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cheerfuldom 05:56 AM 05-20-2014
We have a neighborhood park within walking distance. Nothing else within a mile except a gas station and some shops on BUSY streets. No I would not take a group of small children alone through those intersections.

Right now, I have at max 9 under 7 years old with there being four one year olds in the mix and a 3 year old that is physically delayed (so that is like another one year old to care for). There is no where I can go that is not going to be insanely stressful with five one year olds in tow! during the summer I have two of the one year olds home with mom, and another goes part time so i can get out with the older kids to the spray park or library or other parks. I would never take them swimming for safety reasons. I think when a child cannot swim, you really should have one-on-one attention and I can't provide that with a half dozen non-swimmers. There are a small number of kids activities that might be a possibility but they are generally VERY crowded and i am not willing to brave the crowds with even four or six kids. It is just too much for me, worrying someone is going to get lost. I have a four year old with special needs that will wander off and a one year old that is BAD about running in public.

All this to say, that field trips are awesome. But if you don't have the option due to vehicle, combination of kids, or area you live in, don't feel bad! Your kids will be just fine and the parents can take their own kids to the library or whatever on their own time.
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