What Did You Have When You Started?

[missjenny]

When you first opened your daycare what were some of the things your started with? Your children's toys? Items from garage sales? Did you buy all new?

[Sunchimes]

I had a few toys and a high chair picked up at a yard sale and nothing else. As it turned out, my first child was an infant, so the toys were useless. Her mom loaned me a pnp and I picked up a couple of baby toys. After 3 weeks, I went to a Just Between Friends sale and got a pnp, stroller, and a few more age appropriate toys. I've just gone from there. But, I just had one baby from when she was 6 months until she was 11 months. I got my 2nd and 3rd kids when they were all 11 months old. I just watch yard sales and buy stiff as I find it, and I go to the JBF sale twice a year.

[Abigail]

I only buy new on some things like bottles/nippes/bibs/dishwasher caddy........things that I personally wanted that were not going to cost too much. I did buy a pnp brand new because that grosses me out since you can't wash them well. I just got the plain jane cheap $30 from burlington.

Everything else I got with grant money after opening which was new or else I had books, toys, puzzles, blocks from thrift shops and I would try to go to as many daycare closing sales that I could. The daycare centers closing always had amazing stuff perfect for home daycare.

I started with WAY TO MANY toys and now I have about 1/3 of what I started with and am happy now! I did have a huge kidney shaped table with kids chairs from a daycare sale when I first opened and also a few small shelves. Everything else came in time.

[cheerfuldom]

I never buy anything new. Everything is things my kids had (to begin with) and then I have collected from yard sales and such over time. I havent bought anything in quite awhile though because at this point, I dont need anything else.

[Hunni Bee]

I'm glad someone asked this. I was wondering too....I know when I open I'm going to have wayyyy to much stuff, because of my center-based background

[Countrygal]

I had dgs's old toys, and lots of garage sale bargains. I also did a lot of shopping at thrift shops where I picked up things like changing table, dc cots, white board, etc.

Garage sales are GGRREEAATT for some things like books! I have a hard time coming away from a garage sale without a book.

[originalkat]

I was a preschool teacher for years before opening my home based program, so I had a lot of stuff from that. Plus I used my own kids baby stuff( Pnp, saucer, swing etc) for the infants in care. Since then I have bought new things and lots of great stuff from garage sales and preschools/ childcare garage sales. You can find them around here every so often. I got a full set of unit blocks for $10, a folding play/gym mat that normally run for over $100 for only $2 in great shape, a toy shelf for $10. You can find some great stuff out there for cheap.

[Blackcat31]

Originally Posted by originalkat

I was a preschool teacher for years before opening my home based program, so I had a lot of stuff from that. Plus I used my own kids baby stuff( Pnp, saucer, swing etc) for the infants in care. Since then I have bought new things and lots of great stuff from garage sales and preschools/ childcare garage sales.

Same here. I worked for Head Start and one of our centers was closing so I got a ton of things from there and also had stuff from my own two children as well as some things from my MIL who had a daycare for 30 years and had recently closed.

I then purchased things I needed and didn't already have from garage sales. Now I buy a few things here and there and also have daycare parents who donate their children's gently used items after they are through with them.

[pootmcgoot]

Started off with nada. I had donated all my infant stuff about 6 months ago and my daughters toys aren't mainstream toys most kids like.

[Sunchimes]

Originally Posted by pootmcgoot

Started off with nada. I had donated all my infant stuff about 6 months ago and my daughters toys aren't mainstream toys most kids like.

Now I'm curious about what toys your daughters have that aren't mainstream. I love toys that you don't find everywhere!

[dave4him]

what was required to get started, sleep mats, toys outside, pretty much just my normal stuff

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I purchased everything I needed.
Tables, chairs, child's computer table, puzzle/supply school shelf, changing table, two school toy shelves, bookshelf, carpets, cots, plates, silverware, cups, bowls, 3 bulletin boards, cubbies, toys, educational games, manipulatives, bus, books, art supplies, bounce house, the centers, etc. I spent around $5,000. Possibly more. We paid cash and did not take on debt.
I like things that flow and appeal to the eye, so all of my furniture is natural wood and the majority of the toys are wood as well. Plan Toys is a wonderful brand that really holds up (which many other wood toy companies fail to do).

The past few months I have added more that I wanted. A listening center table from Lakeshore, listening center stories from Lakeshore, 130 gallon fish tank, 3 outdoor houses, 1 outdoor Preschool climber, water table, sand table, sand box, more books, light table, etc. I started with what I needed and have since added and will continue to add.

I had 5 children when I started, and 3 months later I had 12. We only accept ages 2-5.

[DCBlessings27]

I bought a few things at garage sales/Craigslist before I started. Mostly, outdoor toys, dolls, kitchen. I had just had dd, so I used all her baby stuff. I did buy nap mats and blankets new. I've since added by buying some new toys, using dd's toys, and doing more Craigslist/garage sales. I was fortunate enough to get a grant to purchase my playset/swingset (though we still had to use some of our own money too).

[Baan Dek Lek]

Originally Posted by katieica

I bought a few things at garage sales/Craigslist before I started. Mostly, outdoor toys, dolls, kitchen. I had just had dd, so I used all her baby stuff. I did buy nap mats and blankets new. I've since added by buying some new toys, using dd's toys, and doing more Craigslist/garage sales. I was fortunate enough to get a grant to purchase my playset/swingset (though we still had to use some of our own money too).

What grant did you get? Is it available in every state?

[DCBlessings27]

Originally Posted by Baan Dek Lek

What grant did you get? Is it available in every state?

My state (KS) had applied for some money when they made everyone become licensed. The money covered a mentor program that I was part of and had money for some grants.

So, no this is not a grant that is available anymore or even in other states.

[pootmcgoot]

Mostly Waldorf toys. Her blocks are wood, her dolls I've made. Most of her toys were DIY like her felt animals, peg dolls, wool gnomes and felt food.

Whenever friends kids cOme over they don't know what to do with her toys and proclaim boredom.

[Sunchimes]

I like that. My little ones are learning imagination now--I'm finding it's a skill that they have to learn. (22 months). Once I invited them to a few tea parties, they caught on and have the funniest gatherings around the table.

Before I started daycare and lost all of my free time, I made toys to sell on Etsy. Unfortunately, I sold all of them and am having to make more to keep for daycare. It's a slow process-there just aren't enough hours in the day.

[kathiemarie]

When I started my youngest was 2 and the oldest was 9. I just used what I had. Over the years I have added as needed. I have gone from a stay at home mom doing this to make ends meet to this is my job and I need xyz to make it better (for me and the kids.) I think less is best.