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Kalichick - a daycare question plus.....

Hi!  So I saw a post on another board and knew you could answer: What stops parents from trying to steal daycare teachers and hire them as nannies? Do you have them sign a no-compete clause?

 Second - I need your wisdom. What are some favorite toys or activities to do when kids are 2? My guys just turned two and I am not sure what things they should be playing with from a developmental perspective. Or if I should be introducing anything.

They have a sand and water table, will be getting trikes for their B-day, and a motley collection of balls and blocks (which they mostly use as projectiles). They love going to the park and climbing. And a gazillion books - they really like the seek-and-find books right now.

Like, are they ready for computers? Focus on art projects/painting and play-doh?

 

Re: Kalichick - a daycare question plus.....

  • Hi Alisa!

    To answer your first question, there really isn't anything you can do to prevent people from stealing daycare teachers and hiring them as nannies.  It honestly, rarely happens in my world because we do preschool (not so much daycare) and parents are generally putting their children in preschool for different reasons than daycare.  That being said, I do have a former teacher of mine who is nannying for a family (but she had already left me to go back to school and is working for them on days she's not in school).

    However, I don't think it's a huge problem even for daycares.  My main reason for that thought process is that in daycares they often times have more benefits than just their wages, but I guess not necessarily.  Also, in this economy many parents are cutting their nannies.  Furthermore, nannies are often times required to work longer hours than the standard in a daycare.  It does, happen though and I'm sure each school handles it differently.  My rule to help stop it from happening is that my teachers are not allowed to babysit for a family that is currently in their class.  If the child has moved on to another teacher then they can do so if they desire, but truthfully, most preschool teachers don't want to babysit on the side.  I think it's happend all of twice while a staff member has worked for me.  They simply don't want to and it often times gets awkward for the teacher if they do. 

    The simple answer though is there really isn't a way to prevent it 100%.  You can put in the contract that they can't engage in competitive work (which our contracts state) but at the end of the day California is a right to work state and it gets pretty dicey when it comes to prohibiting someone from working.  California is a very pro-employee state which also means that most schools aren't going to expend the cost to fight a teacher.  It's not worth it.

    Now to answer your next question ... definitely books, blocks, the big legos, fire trucks or anything that "goes."  Our younger boys love cars and trains.  Definitely start getting into the fine motor skills activities ... painting, coloring, play doh (a fan fave around here).  Our kids love to play with shaving cream (get the cheap barbasol and let them have at it ... it's a GREAT cleaner by the way ... will take sauce stains out of high chair trays). 

    Be careful with the trikes ... they are a big accident activity.  Definitely not saying to not get them, just make sure they are supervised.  Get a box of chalk and let them color on the concrete (it washes off easily).  I don't know how big your yard is but if you have room get a small climber with a slide (they are pretty easy to find used, but in great condition, on Craigslist).  If you don't have a ton of room pick up one of the small step 2 slides like:

    http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_id=1614

    or

    http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_id=1472

    or this super cute one

    http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_id=1499

    They can also start doing really basic puzzles ... the ones with knobs and have 5 or 6 pieces. 

    Sorting boxes are also great.

    If you don't already have one I'd highly recommend a play kitchen.

    Dress up is another fun activity ... it's harder to find true boy dress up clothes but you can find them (think Halloween type costumes or even some of your husbands old clothes they can dress up and stomp around in).

    Hope that helps a bit!

     

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  • 1) Thanks for the info - and BTW, I am not the one thinking about stealing! Wink

    2) WOW! THANKS SO MUCH!!

    So we need to stock up on some big blocks, cars and trains. And definate supervision on the trikes. And helmets. I think my FIL is getting them big wheels which feel more comfortable to me since they are lower to the ground for now. We have a lot of puzzles but they are smaller pieces - I'll get some with the big knobs.

    We have a Step 2 climber/slide thing that looks like a teeny pirate ship and we have the Step 2 sand/water tables and seesaw (which sucks).  Chalk, paint, shaving cream - got it.

    So, a play kitchen. They have so many cute ones and my boys are just kind of getting in to imaginative play. Will they really use a play kitchen? No sexism here, I WANT one of them to become an Iron Chef! I also keep looking at the "play food" and wonder if they will use it or lose it......

    Again, thanks so much. I totally rely on my teachers and you to answer my questions. You'll be hapyy to know that I am now cutting the boys food in slightly larger pieces!

     

     

  • Yay on the food!!!

    Yes, I think they will definitely play with the kitchen.  You know so many of them are very gender neutrel (ours is wood and is blue and red).  I believe it is Step 2 that makes one that has noises.  I think they will love it and will also like the food.  Sure, they'll lose some of it, but they will also have a ton of fun.  I suggest getting a couple of baskets/bins and using that to store all the food in.  Just have them clean it up! :)  I'm sure they have to do clean up at school so just have them do it at home.  Tell them the kitchen stuff stays in the kitchen area.  Make sure to get the plates and what not.  You might want to take the forks/knives out until they are a little older (we took all the knives out of our kitchen sets).

    If you have room for it, I would suggest a train/car table. There are LOTS of different ones out there that range in size.  We have a big one but there are small tables that will work too.  Ikea has a neat one with storage but it's fairly large.  If you don't have room, get a small carpet (we have one that's the size of a doormat and then we have one that's a little bigger) that has the tracks on it that they can run the cars over.  I would stick with the bigger pieces if your guys are the "put everything in our mouth" type of kids.

    I love, love, love Melissa and Doug.  They make some really neat products.  However, I've found the preschool quality to be not so great because of the heavy use ... except in their puzzles.  We love their puzzles!!

    Also, if you haven't already, invest in a few kids cds ... they are super fun to get up and move with.  Barenaked Ladies has a kids CD called Snack Time and then there is the great They Might Be Giants ABC one.  There are several music groups that have done kid cds if you want to stay out of the traditional kids music.

    I love Lakeshore Learning but they can be pricey (check eBay) but here are few products that would be great for your boys:

    http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca%7CproductSubCat~~p%7CDC177~~f%7C/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByAgeOrGrade/18mo3yrtoddler/viewall.jsp

    http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca%7CproductSubCat~~p%7CGB742~~f%7C/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByAgeOrGrade/18mo3yrtoddler/viewall.jsp (I'm not sure if they will play with this as we don't have great luck with them but they are always in preschool catalogs, etc).

    http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca%7CproductSubCat~~p%7C2534374302095848~~f%7C/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByAgeOrGrade/18mo3yrtoddler/viewall.jsp (this is the type of carpet I'm talking about ... there are several versions out there, I'm sure you can find a cheaper one)

    http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca%7CproductSubCat~~p%7CTB125~~f%7C/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByAgeOrGrade/18mo3yrtoddler/viewall.jsp

    http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca%7CproductSubCat~~p%7C2534374302096997~~f%7C/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByAgeOrGrade/18mo3yrtoddler/viewall.jsp

    Definitely check eBay ... there are tons of things out there for not much money.  The blocks you want are called MegaBloks.  They are big and chunky and available at Target (http://www.target.com/Mega-Bloks-50-pc-Maxi-Tub/dp/B001901MBQ/sr=1-4/qid=1239758881/ref=sr_1_4/191-7081924-5061958?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k%3Amega%20blocks&page=1).  You might also want to pick up some soft blocks if you don't already have them.

    Go to Target.com and search under toys for 2 - 3 years.  If you aren't sure if they will play with something, email me (kim at plumfieldschool dot com) and I'll let you know if it's a big hit around here or not.

    Good luck!!! I'm more than happy to help so just ask!

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  • I second the Melissa and Doug puzzles.  Julian got a set for xmas.  He loves them.  He has colors, shapes, and alphabet. 
  • Alisa - I am so glad you asked about this. I have been wondering about many of the same things and don't have any other moms to discuss it with. P.S. I am all about having a son-in-law thats an Iron Chef :o)

    Kim - Even though I am butted in on this post. THANK YOU for so many great recommendations. I was going to order one the slides for Marley but was leary on space in our yard. The fold up one is perfect and I had never seen it before. Your a wealth of info :o)

    ?

  • imageBrandyB!:

    Alisa - I am so glad you asked about this. I have been wondering about many of the same things and don't have any other moms to discuss it with. P.S. I am all about having a son-in-law thats an Iron Chef :o)

    Kim - Even though I am butted in on this post. THANK YOU for so many great recommendations. I was going to order one the slides for Marley but was leary on space in our yard. The fold up one is perfect and I had never seen it before. Your a wealth of info :o)

     

    Hey it would be SO great. A fantastic daughter-in-law and kids that would cook dinner for US for a change!

    ::runs off to buy play kitchen!!!:::

  • Kim - thanks so much for the suggestions. My husband saw an activity table the other day and hasn't stopped talking about getting one.

    And I will definately get those blocks and the cars are awesome!

    Honestly - it is great to get advice from an expert - I am sure the children you care for are lucky to have you!

  • I love Melissa and Doug puzzles!  Haven't you all seen the pic of Nat chopping sushi?  LOL!

    I can't say enough about play kitchens, play food, my plasticware and utensils (wooden mixing spoons, whisks are a big hit, etc)  Don't forget the table and chairs too.  We've surrendered two of our small end tables - ha!

    While Jos can insist that Nat isn't "doing things right", Nat loves to stack the plates, place food on them, serve them and especially stir up something in a cup or bowl and share "samples" of it to us.  Oh and play coffee pots/pitchers and cups.  My girls love to serve us "meals" and set tables for us to all sit down around.

    We don't have a train table, but my girls seem to love it when ever there is one to play with (ie at Travel Town on Thomas Days).  We have a wooden train set and I think Jos was closer to age 3 when she became really interested in constructing the track and all.  Nat at this moment likes to demolish things more than construct....LOL!

    Speaking of which, Nat got this for her 2nd bday and she LOVEs not only stacking and knocking the blocks over, but she likes to sort the shapes and put them back into the bucket.  The bucket lid has cut-out openings and she likes to match the shapes and insert them thru the slot.  Amazing way to get them to clean up the blocks!

    http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2314128

    Have fun playing everyone!

  • No problem, ladies!!! Fortunately for you guys I deal with this stuff every day!! It wasn't too long ago that I was buying up toys left and right (when I bought the school).  I also try and change things out when I see they aren't playing with something, etc.  When you work in a preschool you get a pretty good idea on what they like to play with.  By no means an expert, just someone who does it every day! haha

    CheapBeachBride (aka CBB) might also be able to put some insight out there as to what are good toys. :)

    Hope the kids like the toys!!  I'd also suggest babydolls to the kitchen ... it definitely teaches both boys and girls how to be loving, etc.  Our boys LOVE the dolls! :)

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  • imageAlisaS:

    Honestly - it is great to get advice from an expert - I am sure the children you care for are lucky to have you!

    ?

    This! :o)?

  • Any recommendations on a kitchen set? Preferably one without a bazillion pieces for Marley to lose around the house :o)

    TIA!?

  • imageBrandyB!:

    Any recommendations on a kitchen set? Preferably one without a bazillion pieces for Marley to lose around the house :o)

    TIA! 

    For a kitchen or for the food?  For the food there isn't any that don't have a bazillion pieces, that's the fun part! heheh I like the Melissa and Doug versions but if you do a search on eBay you'll find tons of different ones for cheap.  I think even Target carries some.  I'm pretty sure it's Target that has a super cute shopping cart too! hehe My best advice is get some bins to store it all in! :)

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  • Oh B!  The fun is really in the gazillion pieces everywhere!!!

    Kitchen - IMO this one is good for the price: under a $100 at TRU, cabinets and cupboards, knobs, buttons, and Lord - don't forget the phone!  There are other larger models for $150+ in upwards of $300+.... really, really?  It's just the kitchen...there needs to be food too!

     http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3058490

    We have a Step2 table & 2-chair set.  I can't find a pic of it online, maybe they changed the models, colors, etc.  Just be sure that the chairs are not to tall for Mar to sit herself by herself.  Nat's done lots of tipping over, but it'll change as she gets taller.  Same with Jos, but of course that's not a problem now.

    Food toys come plastic and wooden.  It's up to you, but the plastic no-name brand are the least expensive and seriously...they just get played, tossed around and then put away (hopefully).  You know what I mean

    Cleaning them is a b!tch - I've used lysol wipes, peroxide/water solutions/ Lysol brand spray-on-any-surface stuff.  Maybe Kim will have other suggestions.

    Sorry for the overload.  :-)

  • Cleaning ... ahh cleaning!!  Couple of ways ... not sure on the wooden stuff as I don't use much wooden stuff.

    For plastic we are big fans of bleach around here.  Fill up the sink with bleach/water and let them soak ... use a scrub brush if necessary.  Or put them in a mesh bag and run them through the washing machine or dishwasher.

    A mixture of water with a dash of bleach will kill germs on most anything.

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  • Mia - That kitchen set is way over the top. I just want a simple one with a bit of modern flare (a girl can wish right?). We saw one at Costco recently that was a 50's style (which I love) but it was cheap and flimsy.My mom just bought her the shopping cart & she loves to haul all her jewelry accessories around in it :o)  That's my girl!

    Any other suggestions for a kitchen set?

     

  • B - have you found any fashion design / model / photography sets for Mar?  LOL!

    I'm jealous of the vanities I emailed you.  No wonder I got them at bargain prices...I got '08 models and I sent you the '09s!  :-(  j/k  lol

  • B-

    Check ebay!  There are TONS of them on there and a lot at reasonable prices.  Also, check Target and Walmart as they often times have them pretty cheap.

    The one we have in our main play room is very basic. 

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