Simple Songs for Preschool

I bot this CD from Teaching Preschool (see link below) a few months ago. My Daycare kids LOVE it. Check it out.

http://www.teachpreschool.org/simple-songs-for-preschool/

And if you haven't yet, check out her website. TONS and TONS of awesome information and activities plus more.

Inexpensive Flash Cards

Here are some inexpensive color "flashcards". Got the flashcard size color cards at Walmart in the paint section - they are free. I picked up 2 of each color I wanted, laminated them (the only cost was the laminating sheets) and cut them out.

I got 2 of each color so that we could use them as matching, too. I just got the basic colors, but you could get different shades of each color too.

I've done this also with the paint cards that were the size of a deck of cards, laminate them, place them in a basket or small rubbermaid container and let the children play with them.

Colleen's Country Kids Facebook fan page

I don't get on the blog as much as I'd like and/or should. But I do try to put something on the daycare faceook fan page daily.
Check it out: www.facebook.com/pages/Colleens-Country-Kids-Childcare/137192386188

Garanimals bath letters and numbers collection

I can't remember (should be better about making notes) where I saw this idea, but thought it was really cute and fun.

I bot the Garanimals bath letters and numbers collection at Walmart. I buy the diaper wipes at Sams and you always get a new box with them. I don't need to replace my wet ones box every time so decided to do something else with it. Then I saw this idea.

Now the only thing I found was you couldn't give them all the letters at once as they can't them all in the box. You can store the letters all in the box, but once it starts getting full, the kids had trouble getting them in. So next time I will only give them a few letters at a time. They really enjoyed doing this.

The numbers (not pictured) did fit well in the box. Thinking I will let them place with this for awhile first then we will talk more about the letters and let them learn thru playing with it.

Child Central Station - video

Here are some children in action using outside music. I'm definitely going to make some of these for our outside play area. WHAT FUN!

http://childcentralstation.blogspot.com/2011/05/making-music.html

let the children play: ideas for music play outdoors

Here are some more ideas for music play outside: This blog has alot of good ideas. Check it out.

let the children play: ideas for music play outdoors: "Do you remember the banging post we created with the children at preschool. Inspired by this banging post on the wonderful SouleMama , ou..."

let the children play: outdoor music play at preschool

let the children play: outdoor music play at preschool: " This week we got our groove on outdoors. A selection of instruments and pots and pans on the picnic table: The big xylophone and buck..."

Sensory Tables

I've done sensory tables off and on over the years in my home daycare. But never had an actual sensory table - couldn't afford one or didn't have the space for you. What I've used is a rubbermaid container on the floor. Which sometimes with toddlers just doesn't work very well. Recently, after discussing this with some other childcare providers, I got inspired. I went and purchase a white 18 gallon rubbermaid container (on sale even). Then I purchased a 26 qrt clear rubbermaid container. I place the sensory goodies in the smaller container, and placed it on top of the larger container. A great height for the kids to stand up to. I put on the floor a shower curtain to help with clean up. I also put a rubbery cabinet liner between the containers to help with less slipping.

So far, it's been a hit. We've played with the sensory table quite a bit the last couple of weeks. This particular picture is the rice valentine colored sensory table. For February, also have one with artificial rose petals and another with cotton balls.You can see more pictures of February's sensory tables on my FB fan page:
www.facebook.com/pages/Colleens-Country-Kids-Childcare/137192386188

It's very rare to find a child that doesn't like to paint. My experience anyway. I've had a few daycare kids that maybe didn't like touching the paint, but give them something to paint with - then they love to paint. Give a child a blank piece of paper, some paint and something to paint with - then let them create their own "masterpiece."

I love to find a variety of things for the daycare kids to paint with. There are the traditional things: fingers, paint brushes, cookie cutters, sponges and things made for painting.

But then it's fun to come up with things that weren't made for

painting.: Bath sponges, cleaning sponges, toothbrushes, feathers, paint stick sticks, craft sticks, cotton balls, kitchen scrubbers and more. What items can you think of that would be fun to paint with?

Got behind

Well, I'm really behind. Thought about trying to "catch up" but think I'll just start from this point. I do have a facebook daycare fan page too.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Colleens-Country-Kids-Childcare/137192386188
That is more updated if you care to take a look at it.

Will get on here tomorrow and post some pictures of what we've been up too so far this month.

Fall Leaves

Working on next weeks theme of Fall/Autumn Leaves. Have found some really neat activities for us to do online.

I hope I'm doing this correctly, but I wanted to share this blog page. She has some awesome leaves ideas that I do believe we will try here next week.

http://toddlerapproved.blogspot.com/2010/09/autumn-puzzle-leaf-hunt.html

Also scroll down on the left and there are Fall and Leaves labels you can click on for some other awesome ideas.

Recycle

Since becoming a childcare provider, I've also become some what of a packrack. LOL I look at things and think "Hmm? What could we do with this?" Not just for crafts activities, but storage, games, and etc.

I often will eat a frozen diet meal for lunch. I got to keeping the pans thinking this would be handy for something. One of the things I found them useful for was to put paint in when we are painting. Some times I'll wash them out and reuse them. Sometimes I'll just throw them away. I'm sure this idea isn't new to everyone, but wanted to share.

Play

My favorite type of "curriculum" to good old fashion PLAY! Today the kiddos were playing with the dress up clothes but not to dress up in. They were using them to play "hide n' seek." Lots and lots of giggling! In this picture they are hamming it up a bit for the camera. At one point the 2 on the right were under all the shirts. Not sure why Mr. J is so serious in the picture, other than it was getting late in the morning so think he was getting tired.

Not only did they have fun, but lots of vacabulary was used, colors described, positions, opposites and the lists goes on. And all ages could play and enjoy the fun.

"Where did she go?" He found her! Simple fun!Love it!

This is one of Miss A's favorite. Putting the hair ties on the dowel rods. She put all of them on one rod, then she sorted them by color and put them on and the list goes on.

Another activity - spooning the rice from one bowl to the other bowl (and back again if they want to). This activity some of my daycare kids liked, some found boring, yet they did it - just quickly and only one direction.

montessori

Here is an activity we did recently. The kids sorted the chips into the 3 colored tins. I bot these tins at a local craft store, but the lids were colored and not the rest. So I took colored duct tape and placed inside the can. These work great too in that when we are done, I can store the chips in the tins.

I have started using some montessori activities in my daycare. I'm really more "self taught" in that what I do know, I've learned from online sights. There are some great ones out there. I won't list all the ones I use here, but I did come across this sight recently where there are videos to show you how some montessori activities are done. Go to http://www.ehow.com/ and type in montessori, montessori activities, montessori videos and the list is endless. I want to thank all those that have done videos on this sight. I'm a visual learner and it helps so much to be able to see some of these activities in action. I would love to have some official trainer, but time, money and finding someone local holds up that taking place.

Blogs

It amazes me how many blogs there are online with loads of information, suggestions, ideas, and so much more. There are other childcare providers, mothers, preschool teachers and etc. I think I've become almost obsessed with following others blogs. So many of them I have used their ideas/suggestions (or a version of it - adapting when needed for the kiddos I have enrolled). I've added a few that I follow to my blog. Thank you fellow bloggers for sharing so much with us.

Also did a few others changes here and there. Still learning some things about designing a blog and enjoying myself as I do. Bear with me. LOL

Wow Has it really been almost a year since I wrote on this blog? Oops! I have no good excuses. I think I will try this again. I do update my FB daycare page much better than this blog.

I had 2 openings in my daycare the early part of Spring. One I was expecting, but happened a few months earlier than originally planned. The other one came out of no where. But I didn't worry about it at first. I normally fill positions fairly quickly. Not this time. This was the longest I've ever had openings. Almost had me worried. Think this economy situation has even affected us providers. So many out of jobs around here.

I did get 2o some odd phone calls for babies - but state licensing says I can only have 3 under 18 months and I had 3 under 18 months. So until August 3rd, I couldn't take a baby. Did have 1 call for 18 month olds, but the mother had to be at work by 6 AM (I open at 7), which means I would have to open at least by 530. Decided not to change my hours. I already work a 10 1/2 hour day (with kids here). Just didn't want to try working a 12 hour day at my age.

A few weeks ago, I was able to fill one position with a baby boy. Now just have to try to fill the other position. This child will have to be at least 18 months and no older than 4 (I care for infants up to school age). I just keep praying and trusting that God will provide in time.

As I said, I did start a new baby boy the week of the 9th. He's a sweetheart. So I now have him, a 11 month old boy, 13 month old boy, 18 month old boy and 3 yr old girl. Would really like to have another little girl - 2 to 4 yrs of age for Miss A to play with. She's a bit out numbered right now. SMILE Her parents have enrolled her in a local preschool 2 mornings a week. It's a great preschool and even though I offer something similiar here as far as curriculum, I encourage parents to send their children to this preschool. At least at the age of 4. This preschool gives their children more of a classroom experience with all children their age, than I do here (multi-age, home atmosphere). Classroom structure. Which personally I think can be good for many children when adjusting to Kindergarten.

It's not the new year yet, but hope to make a resolution that I will write more on this blog.

No words

I'm normally someone who could talk and talk and talk. Figured I'd have plenty to say on a blog. Funny though, I have no words. LOL

In my daycare, I care for infants up to school age. I normally get children when they are only about 6 weeks old and then they leave when they start kindergarten. Last week one of those children left to start school. To watch them grow up, see them make each milestone, see their personalities develop and then to see them go . . . .no words can describe how that feels.

When a child comes up to you, gives you a bear hug and say "I love you." - no words can describe how that feels.

To have a baby look at you with his whole face smiling and giggles - no words can describe how awesome that is.

To hear a baby give a "belly" laugh for the first time . . . .

To see a child accommplish a new milestone and see the expression on their face . . . .

To watch the face of a one year old that gets the nerve to stick their whole hand in the fingerpaint . . . .

To look at a precious baby sleeping so peacefully . . . .

I do what I do cause I love children. I do what I do cause I marvel at the precious blessings God has given us. Being a mother and a child care provider aren't always the easiest jobs. They are not considered glamorous jobs. They are often not appreciated enough. But the blessings that I receive each day - no matter how big or how small - well. . . . there are no words to adequately describe it.

A beginning

Not sure if I can really call myself "tech" smart, but thot I'd try my hand at a blog - for my licensed home daycare anyway. Maybe I'll do a personal one later. As it's "just the beginning" not real sure what all I will post here, but it will normally be childcare related. Something that perhaps my daycare parents as well as other childcare providers can benefit from. Any suggestions?