Those with toddlers in daycare - question

My 16 month old DD is home with our nanny 3 days/week. Our nanny doesn't drive, and now that it's getting cold out, DD is pretty much stuck inside the house all day.

I was wondering if someone who has DC in daycare (around my DD's age) could tell me what they do all day long (sequentially). I was hoping to give my nanny some new, structured ideas on what to do with DD all day.

Thanks!

Re: Those with toddlers in daycare - question

Block schedule in toddler room goes something like this...

8/8:30-Drop off, center time
9-circle time, calendar, songs, letter of the week
915snack
930 art
10-10:30 playground time
10:30-10:45- wash up
10:45- music
11-some more center time/story time
1130- lunch
12 -2ish-nap
2:30 wake up
2:45-snack
3-afternoon circle time
3:15story
3:30 pickup

Re: Those with toddlers in daycare - question

Thanks so much! If you don't mind, could you be a little more specific on what goes on during circle time, calendar, songs, letter of the week? Is this something my nanny could replicate? (I teach Kindergarten so I know what we do there, but I can't imagine doing that with my DD! )

Re: Those with toddlers in daycare - question

Well the school has a curriculum that they follow, and the teachers write a lesson plan- so everyday its different.

But a general idea would be;
Calendar (putting the number up, counting that we are up to day 19, singing days of the week, and the months of the year)

If the theme is animals, we will sing "old macdonald" and other songs...alot of my teachers get ideas from the internet.

We have a phonics program...so if the letter is M there is a GIANT book- that stands up along with a CD- they sing the song with the CD and read the book everyday. By Friday its another "nursery rhyme" to them.

Our art projects and sensory table also incorporate the "theme" of the week...

You could go buy some books from borders and maybe put together a lesson plan for your nanny each week.

The toddlers can really do everything, its just knowing that their attention span isnt that long (so making the point short and sweet) and keep them interested (fun and upbeat songs, lots of animated counting or reading)

HTH

Re: Those with toddlers in daycare - question

Thanks, 05mommy09!! I appreciate the detail.

I'd love to hear others' feedback as well ...

Re: Those with toddlers in daycare - question

Right now the day is split up. They have a musical time, language time and math time. For each category they do different things. I will look at his schedule to give you specifics.

At this age they can start to color/draw--I know my son loves to sort/unsort items and loves music.

Re: Those with toddlers in daycare - question

It varies everyday of the week, but these are some thigns they do (DS is 19 months and has been doing these things in this roomsince he was 14 months):

1. Music time - they break out the bin of instruments and everyone gets one (tambourine, drum, bells, etc.). Then they sing songs and the kids use the instruments as they like.
2. If the weathers nice, they go outside and play. Sometimes twice a day and may include a buggy ride. They play with toddler playground, do bubbles or chalk on the sidewalk.
3. They have story time. They sit down and read. They don't force the kids to listen...if they're not interested they can go get a toy and play.
4. They have a sensory table where they play with water or sand. Sometimes they do jello jigglers with the kids.
5. They do arts and crafts. DS is only 19 months and I have a book already full of his art projects. They finger paint and glue. The very frequently color.

They also do the color of the week, letter of the week and some counting exercises. The things they do during the day help to reinforce those.

So the day would go:
Breakfast (8:30)
One of the above activities (9-10)
Independent/Group play (10-11)
Lunch (11:30)
Nap (12-2/3)
One of the above activities (3-4)
Independent/Group play until pick up (4-5)