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preschoolteacher 09:07 AM 04-11-2014
How do you set up the things you need outside? Specifically I'm wondering how to have drinking water, hand washing stuff, and garbage accessible to the kids but safe. Any suggestions?

And I gotta say my life is SO MUCH better now that we aren't cooped up for 11 hour days anymore!!
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bklsmum 09:13 AM 04-11-2014
I have a 4 shelf greenhouse that I keep on the porch and I keep all of our outside stuff on that. It zips closed and is VERY convenient. As far as garbage goes I have a trash can on wheels that stays in the backyard and gets emptied on trash day.

http://cds.a9t2h4q7.hwcdn.net/main/s...rge/GH-004.jpg

As far as garbage goes I have a trash can on wheels with a good lifting lid that stays in the backyard and gets emptied on trash day.
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spinnymarie 09:13 AM 04-11-2014
This is a great question.
So far, we only stay out for about an hour/hour and a half at a time because that's the longest anyone can go without using the bathroom anyway.
We wash hands when we get inside and I haven't brought drinks thus far either.
I'm interested to hear what everyone else does! And how do you handle using the bathroom?
And i totally agree, getting outside makes my days SOOOO much more pleasant.
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debbiedoeszip 09:16 AM 04-11-2014
For water I might get one of these:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/re...l#.U0gUyFfLJsw

On hot days, I'd fill it twice a day (morning and after nap) with water and ice, and then keep it in a shady place with reusable cups close by.
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melskids 10:57 AM 04-11-2014
In the nice weather, we are outside ALL day.

Drinking water is in reusable water bottles. We come in for a few minutes to do diaper changes as needed. They have to come in with me while I get meals together (and to wash hands), but as soon as I do, we take it outside to eat.
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snbauser 11:14 AM 04-11-2014
My kids each have refillable cups with lids/straws that are always on the kitchen table. When we go outside I make sure they are full and take an extra pitcher of water and the kids take their cups outside. Handwashing happens when we come back inside. Bathrooms aren't an issue because the bathroom is directly across from my backdoor - like literally less than 10 feet. so I can stand in the doorway between the outside and inside and see the one who is using the bathroom and the ones outside. But I also make sure they all go before we go out to minimize the number of trips inside.
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KSDC 11:23 AM 04-11-2014
Originally Posted by bklsmum:
I have a 4 shelf greenhouse that I keep on the porch and I keep all of our outside stuff on that. It zips closed and is VERY convenient.

http://cds.a9t2h4q7.hwcdn.net/main/s...rge/GH-004.jpg
.
How sturdy is this? I'd love to use this, but I am worried that my Kansas winds would demolish it quickly...
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Unregistered 11:26 AM 04-11-2014
I have two deck bins inside my playground fence. I keep outside waterplay toys, and push/pull toys, large waffle blocks, etc. in them, but also a box of tissue, a box of wipes, & a small garbage can. I keep one bin with the opening facing the fence, so that it's even less accessible to kids.
For water, I use a cooler with large sippy cups & a frozen cold pack inside. Each cup is different and the kids choose their own each spring. I also keep a bottle of water in it, in case someone runs out. The older kids keep their cups on the top fence rail (their idea) but I keep the little kids' cups and help them, so that their cups don't get dragged through the playground.
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Laurel 11:32 AM 04-11-2014
Originally Posted by preschoolteacher:
How do you set up the things you need outside? Specifically I'm wondering how to have drinking water, hand washing stuff, and garbage accessible to the kids but safe. Any suggestions?

And I gotta say my life is SO MUCH better now that we aren't cooped up for 11 hour days anymore!!
I bring them inside and give them a drink every so often or if someone asks then we all go in. I only have 3 now but when I had 6 I announced it was time for a drink and to sit at our little picnic table. I have a sliding glass door so I could see them at all times. I had a small table just inside the door with a pitcher of water and cups and various other things like tissues. We just come inside to wash hands and eat lunch or sometimes eat outside and go back out. I have a kitchen type swinging lid plastic can outside for garbage but it isn't for really stinky stuff. Just paper items and miscellaneous.
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Blackcat31 12:07 PM 04-11-2014
I have an outdoor drinking fountain so we don't have to worry about drinks.



I also have an outdoor garbage bin that stays outdoors.



The only thing besides the kids that I bring outside with us is the wet wipes and my phone.
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mema 12:14 PM 04-11-2014
All kiddos have their own water bottle. We fill it in the morning and again in the afternoon. If they need in between, we usually just run in and fill. I have a garabage outside in the garage (which is usually open). I have a few plastic bags in my diaper bag for at the park. I only change outside if absolutely necessary. We typically go out from 9-11/11:15 and 3-5. Bathroom breaks usually before going out and when coming back in. I take out a diaper bag (with 1 dipe for each kid, extra sunscreen, wipes, a small first aid kit, kleenex, couple plastic bags, emergency phone list). Everything else is already out.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 12:16 PM 04-11-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I have an outdoor drinking fountain so we don't have to worry about drinks.



I also have an outdoor garbage bin that stays outdoors.



The only thing besides the kids that I bring outside with us is the wet wipes and my phone.
That is awesome! Love the fountain!
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Heidi 12:20 PM 04-11-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I have an outdoor drinking fountain so we don't have to worry about drinks.



I also have an outdoor garbage bin that stays outdoors.



The only thing besides the kids that I bring outside with us is the wet wipes and my phone.
I am looking all over for an outdoor sink that's reasonably priced and not too ugly. We eat on my front porch, so I'd like to put it there (covered porch with decking underneath). Where did you get that one?
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Jack Sprat 12:30 PM 04-11-2014
Originally Posted by KSDC:
How sturdy is this? I'd love to use this, but I am worried that my Kansas winds would demolish it quickly...
We had one. I think we may still have it. I am in Kansas and it held up very well. It was even blown across our deck and survived. If I was to use for supplies (love the idea) I would secure it down somehow.
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preschoolteacher 12:44 PM 04-11-2014
So many great ideas ! Thanks !
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Blackcat31 12:46 PM 04-11-2014
Originally Posted by Heidi:
I am looking all over for an outdoor sink that's reasonably priced and not too ugly. We eat on my front porch, so I'd like to put it there (covered porch with decking underneath). Where did you get that one?
Hardware Hank

or here:

http://www.heartlandamerica.com/brow...tain&PIN=52667

You can buy one at Amazon too I think...
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craftymissbeth 12:48 PM 04-11-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Hardware Hank

or here:

http://www.heartlandamerica.com/brow...tain&PIN=52667

You can buy one at Amazon too I think...
Are all hoses ok to drink from or did you buy a special hose for drinking water?
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Blackcat31 12:53 PM 04-11-2014
Originally Posted by craftymissbeth:
Are all hoses ok to drink from or did you buy a special hose for drinking water?
We just hooked it up using a new but regular old garden hose.

My licensor has never said anything about it and she's been here while we've used it so I guess I've never thought about it....

I've drank from the garden hose my whole life...I turned out fine.

*I think*
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Heidi 01:58 PM 04-11-2014
BC...

Can you turn off the "bubbler" feature and just use the faucet? Or does the drinking fountain part work every time you turn on the water?

I want it primarily for hand washing.

Dang! "Sorry, this item is no longer available". I can't find it on Amazon, either. I've been looking every where for something that doesn't cost a ridiculous amount of money!
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craftymissbeth 02:10 PM 04-11-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
We just hooked it up using a new but regular old garden hose.

My licensor has never said anything about it and she's been here while we've used it so I guess I've never thought about it....

I've drank from the garden hose my whole life...I turned out fine.

*I think*
Oh, I still like a good long drink from a garden hose... one of my fondest memories from growing up. But I'm imagining this:
Attached: image.jpg (32.6 KB) 
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Unregistered 02:11 PM 04-11-2014
I used to have an inexpensive bubbler, but it leaked and everyone ended up wet.

For handwashing, I wonder if a large drink container with a spigot would qualify as "running water". Does anyone have any experience with this? It would be nice to have an outdoor washing station.
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originalkat 02:12 PM 04-11-2014
Great ideas!!!!
I ALWAYS need stuff outside- Tissues, trash can, band-aids etc...
I really should set up an area for these things. Love the garden hose sink. I want one for hand washing.
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Unregistered 02:23 PM 04-11-2014
Low tech but kind of cool. Foot-operated! Though I suppose the string could be a problem with kids.

http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/spe...g-station.html
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Blackcat31 02:49 PM 04-11-2014
Originally Posted by Heidi:
BC...

Can you turn off the "bubbler" feature and just use the faucet? Or does the drinking fountain part work every time you turn on the water?

I want it primarily for hand washing.

Dang! "Sorry, this item is no longer available". I can't find it on Amazon, either. I've been looking every where for something that doesn't cost a ridiculous amount of money!
Yes, you can use each thing separately.

I know I saw these at the hardware store last summer... I will look again and if they have one, I will text you and you can let me know if you want one or not.

It'll give us a reason to finally get together for coffee.

Have you considered one of these?





I see portable sinks that hook to your garden hose all the time in the garden section of Menards/Home Depot (fairly inexpensive too)
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Heidi 03:24 PM 04-11-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Yes, you can use each thing separately.

I know I saw these at the hardware store last summer... I will look again and if they have one, I will text you and you can let me know if you want one or not.

It'll give us a reason to finally get together for coffee.

Have you considered one of these?





I see portable sinks that hook to your garden hose all the time in the garden section of Menards/Home Depot (fairly inexpensive too)
I found the one you have with some web-searching. I ordered it, and hopefully it will really come (small "dealer").

I don't want the above, because it will sit on my front porch...so I want "pretty". I am still trying to come up with what I will attach that one to, so that it's cute. I'd like to find an old cupboard or something to put it in/on.

Yes, coffee!

Hey, wouldn't you like to come to our WI family childcare conference in May? I would gladly put you up for the night: it's in the Dells, which is only 25 minutes or so from my house.
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bklsmum 03:49 PM 04-11-2014
Originally Posted by KSDC:
How sturdy is this? I'd love to use this, but I am worried that my Kansas winds would demolish it quickly...
I've had it outside for 3 summers now and it can get pretty windy here and it's stood pretty well. I ziptied the shelves to the poles for a little extra strength.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 04:00 PM 04-11-2014
Originally Posted by Heidi:
I found the one you have with some web-searching. I ordered it, and hopefully it will really come (small "dealer").

I don't want the above, because it will sit on my front porch...so I want "pretty". I am still trying to come up with what I will attach that one to, so that it's cute. I'd like to find an old cupboard or something to put it in/on.

Yes, coffee!

Hey, wouldn't you like to come to our WI family childcare conference in May? I would gladly put you up for the night: it's in the Dells, which is only 25 minutes or so from my house.
Where did you find it? I would love to get one.
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Heidi 04:06 PM 04-11-2014
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
Where did you find it? I would love to get one.
Apparently, I took the last one! Sorry! I wondered why it wouldn't let me order 2...

http://www.bonanza.com/listings/Back...uded/135825409
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MarinaVanessa 04:22 PM 04-11-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I have an outdoor drinking fountain so we don't have to worry about drinks.



I also have an outdoor garbage bin that stays outdoors.



The only thing besides the kids that I bring outside with us is the wet wipes and my phone.
Do you just attach it to your wall? How? It's unfiltered right?
Where did you get it?
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nothingwithoutjoy 05:03 PM 04-11-2014
Originally Posted by spinnymarie:
And how do you handle using the bathroom?
For little kids, I have a potty in our shed. I have a basket of diaper-changing supplies and change diapers on a blanket in the yard. Bigger kids are allowed to go inside to use the toilet, if I trust they can manage it well on their own (ok w/ licensing here.)
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Josiegirl 06:16 PM 04-11-2014
For those that bring cups or jugs of water, etc., how in heck do you keep the kids from using it for other purposes than drinking? We come inside for breaks often so always do our potty breaks, water breaks then. But geez, I can't even keep the dog bowl water filled; they're always running over with spoons or cups and using it for their sand play. Or just tipping it upside down.
As for storing stuff, such as wipes, bandaids, kleenex, etc., I just put it into a rubbermaid bucket.
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mema 08:07 PM 04-11-2014
Originally Posted by Josiegirl:
For those that bring cups or jugs of water, etc., how in heck do you keep the kids from using it for other purposes than drinking? We come inside for breaks often so always do our potty breaks, water breaks then. But geez, I can't even keep the dog bowl water filled; they're always running over with spoons or cups and using it for their sand play. Or just tipping it upside down.
As for storing stuff, such as wipes, bandaids, kleenex, etc., I just put it into a rubbermaid bucket.
I have a brick wall out front of my house that I keep the water bottles on. Little ones can't reach it. The older ones can, but leave them alone unless drinking.
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Blackcat31 07:42 AM 04-12-2014
Originally Posted by MV:
Do you just attach it to your wall? How? It's unfiltered right?
Where did you get it?
Yes DH attached it to the outside wall of the house. Hubs attached it to a ledger board like you would attach a deck.

I'll take pics when we get it back out for the summer.. (We remove it for winter so it doesnt freeze and crack). We still have snow on the ground

We bought it a couple years ago at our local mom & pop hardware store for less than $50.

No filters. I suppose you could add one but its just straight water from the garden hose. Nothing fancy... Just cute.
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Heidi 08:01 AM 04-12-2014
Originally Posted by nothingwithoutjoy:
For little kids, I have a potty in our shed. I have a basket of diaper-changing supplies and change diapers on a blanket in the yard. Bigger kids are allowed to go inside to use the toilet, if I trust they can manage it well on their own (ok w/ licensing here.)
Oh dear, a BLANKET?!!! The horror!



The diaper changing "procedure" by our QRIS is so detailed, we are supposed to count out how many wipes we will need ahead of time! No, we can't just pull them out one-by-one. We have to anticipate the level of fecal matter and calculate a complex mathematical equation to accurately remove just the right number of wipes.
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nothingwithoutjoy 09:38 AM 04-12-2014
Originally Posted by Heidi:
Oh dear, a BLANKET?!!! The horror!



The diaper changing "procedure" by our QRIS is so detailed, we are supposed to count out how many wipes we will need ahead of time! No, we can't just pull them out one-by-one. We have to anticipate the level of fecal matter and calculate a complex mathematical equation to accurately remove just the right number of wipes.
Oh, my goodness...ridiculous! (And to be clear, I do put a changing pad on top of the blanket, but still, I'm sure your licensor would disapprove.)
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snbauser 11:32 AM 04-12-2014
Originally Posted by Josiegirl:
For those that bring cups or jugs of water, etc., how in heck do you keep the kids from using it for other purposes than drinking? We come inside for breaks often so always do our potty breaks, water breaks then. But geez, I can't even keep the dog bowl water filled; they're always running over with spoons or cups and using it for their sand play. Or just tipping it upside down.
As for storing stuff, such as wipes, bandaids, kleenex, etc., I just put it into a rubbermaid bucket.

I've not had an issue with kids using the water for things other than drinking. Maybe because they have access to them all the time so they are used to them? These are the same cups that they have sitting on the kitchen table all the time and can help themselves to a drink whenever they want. The know they have to stand right next to the table with them and can't walk away. Same thing outside. Cups are on the picnic table and they can not leave the table with them.
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misslori50 07:53 AM 04-15-2014
Originally Posted by Josiegirl:
For those that bring cups or jugs of water, etc., how in heck do you keep the kids from using it for other purposes than drinking? We come inside for breaks often so always do our potty breaks, water breaks then. But geez, I can't even keep the dog bowl water filled; they're always running over with spoons or cups and using it for their sand play. Or just tipping it upside down.
As for storing stuff, such as wipes, bandaids, kleenex, etc., I just put it into a rubbermaid bucket.
all our kids have their own water bottles that i labeled with their names. I used vinyl so it doesn't come off. We got them at dollar tree
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hwichlaz 11:00 AM 04-15-2014
Originally Posted by Josiegirl:
For those that bring cups or jugs of water, etc., how in heck do you keep the kids from using it for other purposes than drinking? We come inside for breaks often so always do our potty breaks, water breaks then. But geez, I can't even keep the dog bowl water filled; they're always running over with spoons or cups and using it for their sand play. Or just tipping it upside down.
As for storing stuff, such as wipes, bandaids, kleenex, etc., I just put it into a rubbermaid bucket.
We have a picnic table for the kids. Drinks are to stay at the table. They must sit to drink. Same as in the house.
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