Young Group

[Maddy'sMommy]

When I first planned out the basics of my home daycare I did it with the ages 2-4 in mind. (i.e menu, activties, etc.)

Now it looks like my group will be 12-18 months to start (including my daughter who will be 9 months).

Any tips on how you would structure you day with a younger crowd?

[Sunshine44]

I think at that age the most you can do it outside time, naps, lunch and such as the same time every day. When my kids were that young I kind of played it by ear.

[SandeeAR]

Mine are all littles, 18 mo, 14 mo, and 10 mo. This is my schedule. (Outdoor time is set in Jello!)

7:30- 8:00 Arrival time
8:00- 8:30 Breakfast
8:30- 9:00 play time
9:00-10:00 nap time
10:00-10:30 Diapers/shoes one
10:30-12:00 Outside weather permitting/or playtime
12:00-12:30 Lunch time
12:30- 1:00 Diapers
1:00- 3:00 Nap
3:00- 3:30 snack time/diaper
3:30- 5:30 Outside weather permitting/or play time


Playtime: They play with toys, I read books, build blocks, play music and dance around. I go with the flow. IF they are playing happily, I stay out of the way. Things get fussy, I build blocks, read a book, turn on the music.

[Sunshine44]

Originally Posted by SandeeAR

Mine are all littles, 18 mo, 14 mo, and 10 mo. This is my schedule. (Outdoor time is set in Jello!)

7:30- 8:00 Arrival time
8:00- 8:30 Breakfast
8:30- 9:00 play time
9:00-10:00 nap time
10:00-10:30 Diapers/shoes one
10:30-12:00 Outside weather permitting/or playtime
12:00-12:30 Lunch time
12:30- 1:00 Diapers
1:00- 3:00 Nap
3:00- 3:30 snack time/diaper
3:30- 5:30 Outside weather permitting/or play time


Playtime: They play with toys, I read books, build blocks, play music and dance around. I go with the flow. IF they are playing happily, I stay out of the way. Things get fussy, I build blocks, read a book, turn on the music.

I like Sandees schedule...not really a schedule in story time, art time and such. Just a general schedule and the rest is play it by ear. Little ones learn by playing and I try to sit and talk with them as much as possible.

[MG&Lsmom]

Originally Posted by SandeeAR

Mine are all littles, 18 mo, 14 mo, and 10 mo. This is my schedule. (Outdoor time is set in Jello!)

7:30- 8:00 Arrival time
8:00- 8:30 Breakfast
8:30- 9:00 play time
9:00-10:00 nap time
10:00-10:30 Diapers/shoes one
10:30-12:00 Outside weather permitting/or playtime
12:00-12:30 Lunch time
12:30- 1:00 Diapers
1:00- 3:00 Nap
3:00- 3:30 snack time/diaper
3:30- 5:30 Outside weather permitting/or play time


Playtime: They play with toys, I read books, build blocks, play music and dance around. I go with the flow. IF they are playing happily, I stay out of the way. Things get fussy, I build blocks, read a book, turn on the music.

This is actually pretty much my schedule for my group of 2 year olds. I plug in art to the 'fussy' time too. But mostly we just play, I step in to help with social skills, spend a few minutes a few times a day 1-1 with each child while they are playing.

[SandeeAR]

With my "littles", outside is limited. When you have crawlers, you can't go out when the ground is still wet from the rain the day before, you can't go out when it is too cold, b/c they can't move it bundled up too much, you can't go out if it is too hot, b/c they don't handle the heat as well as, say a 3 y/o.

Example: 95 degrees today, ozone warning out. I have one with asthma and I'm on an inhaler from bronchitis, we are staying in today.

I even had one parent ask me to write my schedule down for them. The DGB's Dad works 12's two on, two off. So I have him on the off days. Mom wanted Dad to follow the same schedule at home to keep him on schedule. I was thrilled!

[SilverSabre25]

sandee, that sounds like a great family!!!!

Your schedule for littles is going to depend largely on if they all/any nap twice a day. You should decide if *you* want them napping once or twice. Then have playtime before and after morning nap, outside when/if you can manage it, lunch, nap, more playtime...

[SandeeAR]

Originally Posted by SilverSabre25

sandee, that sounds like a great family!!!!

Your schedule for littles is going to depend largely on if they all/any nap twice a day. You should decide if *you* want them napping once or twice. Then have playtime before and after morning nap, outside when/if you can manage it, lunch, nap, more playtime...

So true on the one/two naps. My 18 mo, is on the verge of giving up the morning nap. He only sleeps about the last 30 min. He always fights going to sleep in the morning, but I have to wake him up at 10 LOL. If I let him or the 14 mo old sleep past 10, I have to back up the afternoon nap time to get them to sleep.

When he gives up the morning, He will just get to play and maybe watch Sesame Street, if he is into tv by then.

[Maddy'sMommy]

Thanks for the help everyone I think I can structure a day like that. I think I just freaked out a bit when I realized I would have such a young crowd. haha.

I don't have internet for a few days since I am moving, but I managed to sneak on today.

[SandeeAR]

Originally Posted by Maddy'sMommy

Thanks for the help everyone I think I can structure a day like that. I think I just freaked out a bit when I realized I would have such a young crowd. haha.

I don't have internet for a few days since I am moving, but I managed to sneak on today.

I LOVE my Young group. Lots of diapers, yes, but so much fun. They are constantly learning! And they don't have a smart mouth yet!