“It’s like a real classroom!”
That is what parents say when they first see the room.
The day care has its own space, separate from the main living area, set up for six children and nothing else. Parents ask what it looks like before they visit, so here is what is in it.
The main activity area
Where most of the day happens. Open floor, foam cushions for climbing on and landing on, and more toys than six children strictly need, including a deep supply of building toys, which are the ones they keep coming back to.
The bedroom
A separate room for naps, so the children who sleep are not listening to the children who do not.
The lunch room
Fridge and microwave, and the table where breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack are served. The laundry is in here too, which is more useful than it sounds.
Changing and bathroom
A dedicated changing-table area and a bathroom scaled for small people, both off the main room, so nobody is ever out of sight for long.
The aquarium
The fish are a fixture. New children tend to watch them for a long while on their first morning, which is what a first morning should be.
Outside
The yard
The swing set and the slide, and a large driveway for sidewalk chalk, bubbles and ride-on cars.
In the summer there is the pool. I get them comfortable in the water first, and eventually I teach them to swim.
Beyond the yard
The rail trail abuts the property, so we walk it most days. The children can walk without holding my hand and take their time looking at things. We come back with a stroller full of pinecones, acorns and rocks that they just need to bring home.
A few times a year we go further still: the fair, the orchard, the fire station.
Field trips
I absolutely love taking the kids on field trips. To witness their faces light up is what I live for. I supply all car seats and replace them as they expire.
A permission slip for each trip goes up on the board in the classroom, with the destination and the times we leave and get back. If you would rather your child sat one out, that is fine, but I am the only adult here, so a child who is not coming stays home with you that day until we are back.
Carter Hill Orchard
Apple picking, with a tractor ride out to the trees.
The fire station
A tour of the building, then they climb into the trucks and spray the hose.
McQuesten Farm
Pumpkin picking, with a hayride.
We also go to the Deerfield Fair, and to meet the Manchester Police mounted unit and K-9 unit.