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Curriculum>Affordable Curriculum
gbcc 01:26 PM 01-03-2010
I saw a post for funshine express but they seem a bit expensive for me right now. Does anyone use another program that might be cheaper but have the same quality? Thanks
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originalkat 05:48 PM 01-03-2010
I have not researched all of them...but the mail order packaged curriculums seem to be about the same in price($60.00 for 6 kids/ month). I would check out Letter of the Week curriculum (google it) for free online. Also, there is Itty Bitty Book Worm. They have two age groups. It comes on a CD and is about $30 or Download for $20 a month. It is Literature based which I'm sure you could get the books from the Library.
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GretasLittleFriends 07:20 PM 01-03-2010
Not sure about your local library, but our branches have what they call "Storytime Kits". They have many different topics alphabet, dinos, pets, ocean, penguin... 84 total kits available. There are a few that have 2 kits, like the seasons and holidays. These kits all have a 3-ring binder with fingerplays, craft ideas, and coloring pages. They also have at least 4-5 books on the topic. Then it's not that hard to go online and use google to find more information to go with the topic. They're wonderful oh, and free!!

Honestly though, I don't do a preschool curriculum. My kids' schedules don't line up so having a set schedule for preschool just doesn't work for me.
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mac60 03:43 AM 01-04-2010
I would never pay the price they want for a pre made curriculum. The internet is free and with a little time planning out and researching, you can come up with your own preschool curriculum. That is what I do. I have a few websites I really like and just take it from there. Much much cheaper than a paid curriculum.
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originalkat 05:46 AM 01-04-2010
Our library has about 25 kits. In fact I just checked out the Snow box. This one had 4-5 books, a puzzle, a stuffed snowman, and a book on tape. How great would it be to have a binder with fingerplays, crafts etc... That really is a free curriculum!! I am grateful for what we have but it could be improved on and serve the community much more!
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SimpleMom 12:45 PM 01-04-2010
Carol's Affordable Curriculum is a good non-expensive one I've used. It covers all of the basics and gives a project or worksheet every day. Everything is pre-cut and prepped for you. They charge only by the number of kids requested and you can order for older/younger children as well as regular vs. Christian curriculum.
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gbcc 03:17 PM 01-04-2010
I will look into that. Thanks
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momma2girls 04:58 PM 01-04-2010
Originally Posted by littlesunshines:
Carol's Affordable Curriculum is a good non-expensive one I've used. It covers all of the basics and gives a project or worksheet every day. Everything is pre-cut and prepped for you. They charge only by the number of kids requested and you can order for older/younger children as well as regular vs. Christian curriculum.
I looked under here, but couldn't find any samples of what you all get in each package.
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Unregistered 08:26 AM 01-05-2010
I have tried most of the curriculums out there over the years. Ultimately It was worth the money to me to purchase Funshine Express. The detailed lesson plan book and all of the materials make it so easy to use as a framework for our day. Its good to know that even when my life is busy and I have -0- time for prep I have a built in proven system and materials ready. I do supplement it with other materials, including easier alphabet pages for my younger kids that I download at free sites, or once a year membership sites like Enchanted Learning. I pay $25 per year and have unlimited downloads of everything from alphabets and numbers to Spanish and mini-books. I know cost is always an issue, but Funshine offers fabulous "propaganda" pages to use during interviews and to give parents that really help you ask for the parents to contribute to their childs learning. Most decent families will pay the $10 per month it averages out to, knowing their child is in a childcare setting that is superior in curriculum and structure to other daycares. Their are plenty of sites you can download off of, or purchase access to monthly themes cheaper, but by the time you pay for ink and paper, and the huge time investment, you still wont have the total package you'd get buying decent curriculum, and you will have spent more.
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AGC Preschool 07:39 AM 02-29-2012
I have a licensed home childcare with plans of expansion. I am trying to find a curriculum that I can use that does not have all the supplies for each child. This is why the other curriculums are so expensive. I just want a plan to go by and ideas. I can purchase the supplies myself. I worked at a church preschool for 4 years so I still have my lesson plans that I am using from that curriculum. I am simply re-writing my plans and coming up with other projects by googling stuff. If you sit down and think up some themes and do the letter/number/color of the week, you could really create your own curriculum.
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gbcc 05:15 AM 03-01-2012
I found a great book that I have been following and using as a guideline! It's called WE CARE A Preschool curriculum for Children Ages 2-5. Written by Bertie W. Kingore and Glenda M. Higbee.

It divides the months up and then within the months has different concepts.
For example we just finished Feburary curriculum and it was divided as

Health and Nutrition:
Concepts
Art
Blocks
Bulletin Board
Cooking
Language Arts
Math
Movement
Music
Science

Valentines:
Same concepts as above

Famous People and Birthdays:
Same Concepts listed

Care of Pets:
Same Concepts listed

They give some ideas for things but then I add my own crafts etc that I research just by google!
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Tags:curriculum, funshine express
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