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Schedules
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Children are spontaneous but, like most of us, they need to
have a general idea of what to expect from moment to moment. They like
to
know they can depend
on certain daily routines. A daily schedule helps children feel secure
in their environment. When you say things like, “After nap, we will go outside” children
learn what to expect and come to know that they can count on you.
A daily schedule helps you organize your day. It allows you to plan
a variety of developmental activities and experiences for children. A
good daily schedule for children offers a balance of activities.
A Good Schedule:
- Provides a balance between these kinds of activities.
- indoor and outdoor play
- quiet and active times
- time to play alone and time to play with others
- time for free play and time to join an activity you have
planned
- Pays particular attention to transition times during
the day
- greeting children when they arrive and are separating from
their parents
- cleaning up after meals and snacks
- getting ready to go outside
- cleaning up one activity so that another can be started
- getting ready for nap
- arrival and departure of school-age children or part-time
children
- preparing to go home
- Reflects your unique situation.
- when your child care children arrive and depart
- when babies need to eat and nap
- when children need to have meals and snacks
- the ages and stages of the children in your care
A written schedule gives you a blueprint for the day. You can then fit
activities into your schedule to make your day constructive and responsive
to the children. Post your schedule so parents can see what a typical
day at your child care home is like for their child.
Yet, within the schedule, the flexible provider gives the children unspoken
permission to learn in their own way and encourages exploration and discovery.
A variety of open-ended materials—or materials that can be used
in many different ways— are made available to children. Children
are able to select the materials they wish to use, and are encouraged
to use their imaginations with the materials. The flexible provider extends
the children’s play by adding new props or materials, rotating
toys from week to week, and suggesting new ways to use materials. For
example, you might suggest that the children change their outdoor water
play activity from “painting the fence” to a “bike
and trike wash.”
Flexibility lets you capture the moment. If the children are totally
engrossed in their play, delay lunch for half an hour. If everyone is
starving at 2:00pm, serve snacks a little early. If someone loses a tooth,
take time to talk about it and, if the children are very interested,
change your dramatic play area to include materials for a dentist office.
If the day you planned a picnic turns out to be rainy, set up an indoor
picnic on an old blanket on the floor.
Children are spontaneous and a flexible attitude on your part fosters
a fun, relaxed and responsive learning environment for children.
Daily Schedule (Sample)
Welcome to our family child care home! Listed below is what your
child will experience during a typical day. My philosophy is to
provide a structured setting for children, so they know what to
expect and feel secure. Within this structure, I allow for flexibility
so that I can better meet the needs and interests of all the children.
MORNING ACTIVITIES
| 7:15 – 8:00 |
As children arrive, a variety of activities are available
for them to do, such as table toys, blocks, books and story
tapes. I rotate the toys every week for interest. |
| 8:00 – 8:30 |
Clean up, prepare and eat breakfast, and clean up again!
Each child has an opportunity to help with meal chores such
as setting the table or mixing the juice. |
| 8:30 – 9:45 |
Children have a choice of selecting an activity of their
choice or joining in a group activity such as painting, water
play or cooking. |
| 9:45 – 10:00 |
Get ready to go outside: bathroom time, changing diapers,
wash hands, etc. |
| 10:00 – 11:00 |
Outdoor play that is a combination of free play on the swing
set or sand box, and group activities such as walks in the
neighborhood, a science project such as gardening or an outdoor
art project. |
| 11:00 – 11:30 |
Individual choice – dramatic play, blocks, board games. |
LUNCH AND REST
| 11:30 – 11:40 |
Clean up for lunch. Wash hands. |
| 11:40 – 12:30 |
Family style lunch and conversation. Again, each child has
an opportunity to help with chores. After lunch, everyone brushes
teeth, uses the bathroom or diaper change, washes hands. |
| 12:30 – 12:45 |
Story time. This is a time to slow down before rest time
and enjoy a good book. |
| 12:45 – 2:45 |
Every one has a rest time. Preschool children who can’t
sleep rest quietly on their cots, looking at books for 30-40
minutes before they are allowed to get up and start a quiet
activity. |
| 2:45 – 3:00 |
Children wake up, put away cots, use the bathroom and wash
hands. |
AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES
| 3:00 – 3:20 |
Snack time. |
| 3:20 – 4:30 |
Active outdoor play. |
| 4:30 – 5:30 |
Departure time. Children choose activities such as coloring,
reading, table toys, etc., until their parents arrive. Events
of the day and plans for the next day are discussed with children
and parents as they leave. |
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