Stuff we do...
Overnight care of course includes sleeptime, storytime, homework time (if applicable), breakfast, supper, and constant supervision
During the hours prior to nighttime, and for daytime care, we will engage in a variety of activities, including
*outdoor play
*reading
*cooking (age-appropriate, of course and ALWAYS with close supervision)
*colouring
*arts and crafts
*field trips
*walks
*dancing and singing
*learning
*laughing
*getting messy
*board games
*water play
*pretending
*watching movies (again, age-appropriate)
*with parents' permission, playing video/computer games
*lots more....
Daytime care will begin with quiet, independent (but fully supervised) free time, and will include breakfast (if necessary) snacks, and lunch. We will go outside at least once per day, barring extreme weather conditions. The day will consist of various activities including, but not limited to, the activities listed above. From time to time, we will go off-site to visit the library, zoo, or to run any errands I may have. Naptime/quiet time will generally take place at around 1pm an will last until 2pm or 3pm, depending on your child's needs. It would be great if parents could limit phone calls and pick-ups, etc to before or after naptime/quiet time, as this is also my break time. structured activities will be incorporated into the day, and prior to pick-up time, we will have a quick clean-up and the free play.
Each night will start with free, quiet play and homework time, if applicable. Supper will be provided at around 6:00pm, a snack at 30 minutes before bedtime, and breakfast at around 7:30am. A menu for each month will be posted here and at the dayhome. The children who are able and willing will be helping with supper and snack preparation and with clean-up after meals and activities. Before each meal and after toileting and play, we will wash hands and faces. After each meal, we will brush our teeth. Bedtime will be dependent in each child, but no later than 9:00pm Sunday to Thursday night. There will be a structured art activity and a structured movement activity every evening. Each evening we will also be outdoors, on a walk or just playing, from around 7:00pm until 7:30 or 8:00pm.
I am willing, upon request, to provide parents with a weekly written report about their child's time with me. I can also provide a light educational program for daytime kids, if requested.
Expectations for behaviour at Sun and Moon 24/7 are simple. We focus on RESPECT, and that will be the lesson in many of our day-to-day activities. Physical punishment, shaming and/or humiliation are absolutely NOT permitted in my home, When discipline of your child is needed, I will use the "1...2...3...Magic" approach, and time-outs (one minute per age of child, for children over 2 years old ONLY). I WILL NOT spank or otherwise physically "discipline" your child (or mine, for that matter!), so please don't ask me to.
*Please note that, as a child care provider and a human being, I am legally and morally obligated to contact the appropriate authorities if I have any concerns about your child's well-being. You will be notified if I feel the need to take this step.
I am also a big believer in natural child development and will NOT try to force potty training, giving up the bottle or soother, ceasing thumb-sucking, etc. Please don't ask me to do this either. I won't. It will happen in its own time, or you can find someone else to "break" your child of these habits, if you must. I WILL NOT DO IT. And I will NOT let an infant "cry it out".
