SCHEDULING THE DAY
Laurie Miller
Program Director
Human Development Laboratory School, Toddler Center
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Copyright/Access Information
A SAMPLE FAMILY DAY CARE HOME SCHEDULE
The times given are only approximate. You should develop your
own schedule to meet the needs of the children in your day care
program.
7 A.M.:
- All children and their families are greeted warmly as they
arrive. Many of the children will require some food now, depending
on their needs.
- Babies may be changed, fed, and allowed to rest.
- Some children may want to 'cat nap' or be rocked or cuddled
for a while. Quiet toys (beads to string, puzzles, dolls, books)
can be available.
- After eating, the children can read, finish homework, watch
TV, or play a quiet game until time for school.
9 A.M.:
- When the babies wake and feeding is completed, a game of
peek-a-boo or other play is enjoyed. Put the babies' seats or
playpens near the activity of the other children so they can
watch.
- Special Activities: Art activities (painting, drawing, modeling),
cooking, playing with water or sand, making puppets might be
prepared for the children for indoor or outdoor play.
- A snack is enjoyed midway through the morning.
- Babies will probably require a full morning nap.
- Many toddlers will require a full nap.
- Preschoolers may need a quiet time to stretch out and rest.
11 A.M.:
- Some time for outdoor play (a walk around the block, to the
store or playground) can be planned; following this period of
active play, the children prepare for lunch by washing, helping
with the food preparation, or reading stories.
NOON:
- Babies may be fed earlier and may be ready for an afternoon
nap.
- Toddlers can learn to feed themselves.
- Preschoolers can set the table, help to prepare the meal,
and help clean up.
- Lunch is ready for the children.
- After lunch help the children brush their teeth and prepare
for a nap. Toddlers will probably require a full nap.
- Preschoolers can brush their own teeth and prepare for rest.
Many will nap; others will rest by playing quietly.
1 P.M.:
- The children are allowed to sleep as long as they wish. Usually
a drink or snack is welcome after napping.
3 P.M.:
- Floor play (with baby placed on a blanket or in a playpen)
can be planned.
- Active indoor and/or outdoor play follows nap. Some special
activity, a game, a story, or a walk can be arranged.
- A snack is ready for the children, or they can fix their
own. The children can build, sew, paint, do their homework, listen
to records, or play with the other day care children.
5 P.M.:
- Preparing the children for going home helps them make a smooth
transition from your home to theirs. This is a good time for
story reading, gathering together the things that each child
will take home, or eating a light snack to tide the children
over until their parents prepare dinner.
RESOURCES TO EXPLORE
Contact your local Cooperative Extension office. Home economics
and youth educators have ideas for free and low-cost activities.
Cooperative Extension is listed under county or state government
in your telephone directory.
Ask someone at the library to help you find *Beginnings* and *Young
Children* magazines.
Excellent books for setting up your activity program include the
following:
*A First Cookbook for Children* by E. Johnson, Dover Publications,
New York, NY 10014 (1983).
*Child Care in a Family Setting* by Vijay Jaisinghani and Morris
Vivian, Family Day Care Associates, Cheltenham, PA 19012 (1986).
*Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs
Serving Children From Birth Through Age 8* (expanded version,
1987) available from the National Association for the Education
of Young Children, 1834 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC,
20009 (1-800-424-2460).
*Waterworks* by J. James, Kaplan Press, New York, NY 10011 (1987).
Also, at the library look for records by these people: Rafi,
Ella Jenkins, Rosenshontz, Hap Palmer, Tom Chapin, and Woody Guthrie.
Look for music from other cultures also.
DOCUMENT
USE/COPYRIGHT
National Network for Child Care - NNCC. Part of CYFERNET, the
National Extension Service Children Youth and Family Educational
Research Network. Permission is granted to reproduce these materials
in whole or in part for educational purposes only(not for profit
beyond the cost of reproduction) provided that the author and
Network receive acknowledgment and this notice is included:
Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child
Care - NNCC.
Miller, L. (1991). *Scheduling the day*. (Family Day Care Facts
series).
Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts.
Any additions or changes to these materials must be preapproved
by the author.
COMMENT:: From Carol Seefeldt and Laure L. Dittman (Eds.)
Day Care - 9 - Family Day Care. U.S. Department of Health, Education,
and Welfare Office of Child Development, 1973.
FORMAT AVAILABLE:: Available only on the
Internet
DOCUMENT REVIEW:: Level
2 - Cooperative Extension Systems: Universities of
Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut
DOCUMENT SIZE:: 10K or 3 pages
ENTRY DATE:: July 1995
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