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Daily Schedule
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Curriculum Sample
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Transition to Care Tips
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Outdoor Notes
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Transitions to Care and Building Routine
Relationships are the heart of development is a guiding principle and the focus of the first months as the children and you and I get to know each other. We will spend a lot of time getting to know each other through our play, activities, and daily experience. Together, the children and I will find our “groove” and create a positive, responsive, loving, consistent and predictable routine that will lay the foundation for our learning together.
Children experience transitions all day long! The transition into care in the morning and then home in the evening can be one of the more tricky transition times; each child experiences this in their own unique developmental way. New and old friends may experience high emotions (super excited or super anxious) at drop off and pick-up time. I am here to support your child and you too! Each family’s comfort level with transitions (mornings especially) is different; I know it can be emotional for you too.
You may see tears, extra quietness, “letting it all out” at the end of the day, night sleep interruptions, appetite changes, or no changes at all! This is all normal! As the children learn the routine of coming and going to care and what they can expect each day, this will even out. Please let me know if this continues at home beyond our initial 2- 3 weeks. There are additional support strategies we can use.
Here are some tips to get ready!
*Begin talking positively with your child about coming to “Jackie’s House” and what they can expect throughout the day, who will drop off, who will pick up.
* 👋 It is important for your child to see and hear you and I make a connection. This will show them you are confident and trust me as the person who will care for them while you are at work.
* 🤗 Model and encourage saying “hello/good morning” and “see you tomorrow/goodbye” to me and the other children. Say goodbye to your child in the morning with confidence and hug/kiss. Reunite giving your child your full attention.
* 🐶 Some families have found keeping a stuffed animal/baby doll/blanket or other transition object for the car ride helpful. The child safely tucks this in the car in the morning and leaves it in the car so it can greet them at the end of the day. Be sure to talk about this as something that stays in the car, something that is "special just for them."
*If your child is upset as you leave, know this is normal I will comfort your child and set them up for a great day; children typically are engaged with me and others in under a minute after the parent leaves. Prolonged good-bye's tend to increase the anxiety and tears.
We use the front window as a special place. It is our Hello/Goodbye window. Use this as a fun way to wave or honk your car horn to have a final goodbye.
Use these sample conversation pieces for positive talk about the basic routine of our day. As you get to know more about the program and on-going activities through StoryPark you can build in more specifics. The general routine/flow of the day will include:
**Morning drop off: "Mommy will bring you to Jackie’s house and you will have a yummy breakfast there. It is such a pretty day, I wonder if you will go on a leaf hunt today! Will you make a picture today, so I can put it in my office?"
**Handwashing/breakfast time/Diapers/restroom break "Jackie will change your diapers and help you with washing your hands. We will remember to bring your diapers, can you help me pack them?"
**Outdoor experiences include free time and a morning meeting (stories, activity, songs etc) "Wow! You are going to have so much fun playing outside, you can play with the trucks, paint, read… What book do you think Jackie will read during your morning meeting? What did you read yesterday? I saw a picture of you making a mud pie, what will you make today?"
**Handwashing/Snack/Diapers/restroom "You will have a snack outside at Jackie’s house. This will give you lots of energy to play before lunch time!"
**Handwashing/Lunch/restroom/Diapers "Sometimes you will have lunch inside or outside at Jackie’s house. Isn’t it fun to have lunch with your friend _______? Jackie has a chair for you to sit on at the lunch table and all the yummy foods to help your body grow big and strong!"
**Quiet activity/Rest Time Stories/Rest Time "After lunch, Jackie will read stories to get ready for rest time. She will turn out the lights and play quiet music for you to listen too. She has a special sleeping bag for you to be cozy during rest time. All the friends will be together for rest time. You can bring a book and a cuddle friend to snuggle with in your sleeping bag. Jackie will be there for you. If you need to go potty, you can get up and go!" (-this one is important to my friends in underwear!)
**Hand Washing/Restroom/Snack Outside/Afternoon pick up. "When Jackie turns the lights on, it will be time to wake up!" "You will have a snack and play a little bit more and I will pick you up! I can’t wait to hear all about …. your adventures today/ your favorite book/what you did with your friend?"
*🎵 Here is a fun transition song you can sing on the car ride to Jackie's house
(to the tune of High Ho the Derrio)
“We’re going to Jackie’s house, we’re going to Jackie’s house, we will see all our friends, we’re going to Jackie’s house
“ We’ll see Owen and Oliver, We’ll see Juliana and Holly, We will see all our friends, we’re going to Jackie’s house”
“We’ll see Brody and Hayes, We’ll see Liliana and Zen, We will see all our friends, we’re going to Jackie’s house”
Other options: We’ll eat a yummy breakfast, we’ll play with the (dolls, trucks, wheelies), We’ll build (with magna- tiles, tall towers), we’ll go on a walk, we’ll play in the snow, etc.
*🎶 Special child friendly music to sing together in the car on the way to Jackie's house. Common nursery rhymes are short and easy for children to learn and sign along.
*😘 Place a kiss in her child’s hand to hold or put in their pocket. It is once of the sweetest things I see when a child later in the day pulls it out to rub onto their cheek.
*🌜 Families in the past have shared that their night time routine includes talking about the “next Jackie day” and talking about each friend, including the friends in night time prayers. These are great ways to build a connection between home and child care.
*📅 Place a monthly calendar where your child can see it (low on the refrigerator for example). Highlight “jackie days” and “mom and dad” days. Mark upcoming childcare events such as music class/birthdays/or other holidays and events. As each day passes, place a sticker on the day or cross it off and talk about what is next.
TRANSITIONING HOME
🏡 Returning home can also trigger some transition bumps: Your child may eagerly be ready to go home, or may not!
*⌚ Setting a timer on your phone for "1 minute extra” will help your child understand it is time to go. -Follow through when the timer rings.
* 🐇 Use a car transition object. A stuffed animal waiting in the child’s car seat, a favorite book to read etc. that the child can have once they get in the car.
*If your child has an extra challenging time going home, please send me a text when you are on your way, and I will begin the transition process to prepare the child.
Children who eagerly go home initially may begin to want to stay longer after a few weeks in care. This is normal too and a good sign! It shows they are feeling confident and good about the new friends and me. We have grown in our relationship!
Children learn the rhythm of the coming and going of each family and quickly learn which child goes into each car. When you are going to be “out of the normal” routine, or a different family member will be doing the drop-off/pick-up be sure to let your child and me know. This will help the child process and be ready, and I can support them with the change.
You know your child best! I am here to support you and your child; please let me know if you have any questions.
Relationships are the heart of development is a guiding principle and the focus of the first months as the children and you and I get to know each other. We will spend a lot of time getting to know each other through our play, activities, and daily experience. Together, the children and I will find our “groove” and create a positive, responsive, loving, consistent and predictable routine that will lay the foundation for our learning together.
Children experience transitions all day long! The transition into care in the morning and then home in the evening can be one of the more tricky transition times; each child experiences this in their own unique developmental way. New and old friends may experience high emotions (super excited or super anxious) at drop off and pick-up time. I am here to support your child and you too! Each family’s comfort level with transitions (mornings especially) is different; I know it can be emotional for you too.
You may see tears, extra quietness, “letting it all out” at the end of the day, night sleep interruptions, appetite changes, or no changes at all! This is all normal! As the children learn the routine of coming and going to care and what they can expect each day, this will even out. Please let me know if this continues at home beyond our initial 2- 3 weeks. There are additional support strategies we can use.
Here are some tips to get ready!
*Begin talking positively with your child about coming to “Jackie’s House” and what they can expect throughout the day, who will drop off, who will pick up.
* 👋 It is important for your child to see and hear you and I make a connection. This will show them you are confident and trust me as the person who will care for them while you are at work.
* 🤗 Model and encourage saying “hello/good morning” and “see you tomorrow/goodbye” to me and the other children. Say goodbye to your child in the morning with confidence and hug/kiss. Reunite giving your child your full attention.
* 🐶 Some families have found keeping a stuffed animal/baby doll/blanket or other transition object for the car ride helpful. The child safely tucks this in the car in the morning and leaves it in the car so it can greet them at the end of the day. Be sure to talk about this as something that stays in the car, something that is "special just for them."
*If your child is upset as you leave, know this is normal I will comfort your child and set them up for a great day; children typically are engaged with me and others in under a minute after the parent leaves. Prolonged good-bye's tend to increase the anxiety and tears.
We use the front window as a special place. It is our Hello/Goodbye window. Use this as a fun way to wave or honk your car horn to have a final goodbye.
Use these sample conversation pieces for positive talk about the basic routine of our day. As you get to know more about the program and on-going activities through StoryPark you can build in more specifics. The general routine/flow of the day will include:
**Morning drop off: "Mommy will bring you to Jackie’s house and you will have a yummy breakfast there. It is such a pretty day, I wonder if you will go on a leaf hunt today! Will you make a picture today, so I can put it in my office?"
**Handwashing/breakfast time/Diapers/restroom break "Jackie will change your diapers and help you with washing your hands. We will remember to bring your diapers, can you help me pack them?"
**Outdoor experiences include free time and a morning meeting (stories, activity, songs etc) "Wow! You are going to have so much fun playing outside, you can play with the trucks, paint, read… What book do you think Jackie will read during your morning meeting? What did you read yesterday? I saw a picture of you making a mud pie, what will you make today?"
**Handwashing/Snack/Diapers/restroom "You will have a snack outside at Jackie’s house. This will give you lots of energy to play before lunch time!"
**Handwashing/Lunch/restroom/Diapers "Sometimes you will have lunch inside or outside at Jackie’s house. Isn’t it fun to have lunch with your friend _______? Jackie has a chair for you to sit on at the lunch table and all the yummy foods to help your body grow big and strong!"
**Quiet activity/Rest Time Stories/Rest Time "After lunch, Jackie will read stories to get ready for rest time. She will turn out the lights and play quiet music for you to listen too. She has a special sleeping bag for you to be cozy during rest time. All the friends will be together for rest time. You can bring a book and a cuddle friend to snuggle with in your sleeping bag. Jackie will be there for you. If you need to go potty, you can get up and go!" (-this one is important to my friends in underwear!)
**Hand Washing/Restroom/Snack Outside/Afternoon pick up. "When Jackie turns the lights on, it will be time to wake up!" "You will have a snack and play a little bit more and I will pick you up! I can’t wait to hear all about …. your adventures today/ your favorite book/what you did with your friend?"
*🎵 Here is a fun transition song you can sing on the car ride to Jackie's house
(to the tune of High Ho the Derrio)
“We’re going to Jackie’s house, we’re going to Jackie’s house, we will see all our friends, we’re going to Jackie’s house
“ We’ll see Owen and Oliver, We’ll see Juliana and Holly, We will see all our friends, we’re going to Jackie’s house”
“We’ll see Brody and Hayes, We’ll see Liliana and Zen, We will see all our friends, we’re going to Jackie’s house”
Other options: We’ll eat a yummy breakfast, we’ll play with the (dolls, trucks, wheelies), We’ll build (with magna- tiles, tall towers), we’ll go on a walk, we’ll play in the snow, etc.
*🎶 Special child friendly music to sing together in the car on the way to Jackie's house. Common nursery rhymes are short and easy for children to learn and sign along.
*😘 Place a kiss in her child’s hand to hold or put in their pocket. It is once of the sweetest things I see when a child later in the day pulls it out to rub onto their cheek.
*🌜 Families in the past have shared that their night time routine includes talking about the “next Jackie day” and talking about each friend, including the friends in night time prayers. These are great ways to build a connection between home and child care.
*📅 Place a monthly calendar where your child can see it (low on the refrigerator for example). Highlight “jackie days” and “mom and dad” days. Mark upcoming childcare events such as music class/birthdays/or other holidays and events. As each day passes, place a sticker on the day or cross it off and talk about what is next.
TRANSITIONING HOME
🏡 Returning home can also trigger some transition bumps: Your child may eagerly be ready to go home, or may not!
*⌚ Setting a timer on your phone for "1 minute extra” will help your child understand it is time to go. -Follow through when the timer rings.
* 🐇 Use a car transition object. A stuffed animal waiting in the child’s car seat, a favorite book to read etc. that the child can have once they get in the car.
*If your child has an extra challenging time going home, please send me a text when you are on your way, and I will begin the transition process to prepare the child.
Children who eagerly go home initially may begin to want to stay longer after a few weeks in care. This is normal too and a good sign! It shows they are feeling confident and good about the new friends and me. We have grown in our relationship!
Children learn the rhythm of the coming and going of each family and quickly learn which child goes into each car. When you are going to be “out of the normal” routine, or a different family member will be doing the drop-off/pick-up be sure to let your child and me know. This will help the child process and be ready, and I can support them with the change.
You know your child best! I am here to support you and your child; please let me know if you have any questions.
Muddy Buddy suits provided
Rain suit bibs provided
Oaki snowsuits provided
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Outdoor and physical activity
Outdoor learning and exploration are highly valued at First Five Years. Our outdoor time allows for independent and planned explorations and physical activity. Often times our only time indoors is for bathroom breaks and afternoon rest time. Children will be most comfortable in all Minnesota weather conditions with appropriate footwear and outdoor wear. It is important that toes are kept safe with closed toe sandals or shoes and feet are kept warm and dry with rainboots and snow boots.
Winter wear tips
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