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This blog post is all about creating a daycare schedule.
Managing a home daycare with kids of different ages can feel like juggling sippy cups, lesson plans, and snack times all at the same time—and somehow keeping everyone happy, including yourself.
If you’ve ever wondered how to create a daycare schedule that actually works when you have infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in the same space, you’re in the right place!
We’re going to learn how to create a schedule that allows flexibility, consistency, and flow throughout your day.
Whether you’re running a daycare, a teacher in a center, a preschool co-op, or just trying to keep your sanity as a stay-at-home mom, I hope this gives you ideas and encouragement on how to create a schedule.
DAYCARE SCHEDULE
Creating A Daily Daycare Schedule
Creating a daycare schedule that works for multiple ages isn't about perfection ~ it's about routine, flexibility, knowing your kids' needs, and when you need to pivot. As a teacher or parent, being flexible is arguably one of the most important skills that you can have.
A well-thought-out daycare schedule will ensure the kids feel safe and secure, provide consistency, and help you stay organized and less overwhelmed.
Here are some things to think about while you are creating a schedule.
- Build Around Non-negotiables: Start with the parts of the day that are non-negotiable for you and that happen daily. Such as meals, snack times, diaper changes, and nap time. Once you have those times set, you can schedule the rest of your activities.
- Time Blocking: Use blocks of time, for example, 9-10 is free play. This allows you to have that flexibility for the blow-out diapers, meltdowns, and tantrums that randomly pop up~ because we know they will!
- Include Transitions and Downtime: It's so important to prep small children when a change is about to happen before it happens! This will cut down on your transition time and meltdowns! Warn the children by pointing to a visual schedule that in a few minutes, we are going to clean up to do a craft, or when the timer goes off, we are going to clean up. Just as we need downtime, these small children need downtime too. Allow them to play how they want to play. This means don't play with them, don't ask questions, and no intentional learning coming from you during this downtime. Sit back, warm your coffee back up, and watch the growth!
Managing Children Of Different Ages
Managing infants, toddlers, and preschoolers at once can be overwhelming~ however, with the right daycare routines in place, it can be smoothish lol. Here are some tips on how to manage the different ages and tasks within your daycare schedule and routine.
Group When You Can: Create a community and family within your daycare by bringing all of the children together often for the same activities. Have the same story time, meal times, outdoor play, and free play for all ages. This also allows the younger children to learn so much by watching the older kids. Bonus tip: have the babies do tummy time during story and music time, a win~win! Toddlers may not sit during story time, and that's ok. They are still learning!
Stagger Transitions & Utilize Free Play: While the toddlers and preschoolers are enjoying their free play gives you the perfect opportunity to work with the infants on their developmental needs. This can be done during inside or outside playtime! Have the preschoolers wash their hands for lunch, while you change the toddlers and wash their hands.
Use Visual Schedules and Routines: Use a visual schedule for your daycare schedule and routine. This helps children visually see what is next. Even the toddlers will benefit from this visual schedule! You can grab a free visual schedule here!
Encourage Peer Help When Appropriate: Preschoolers love to feel needed and helpful. Allow them to help kids in and out of the house by holding their hands, holding the door, or carrying items for you. Have them help put coats on the toddlers and zip them up, fine motor practice! Have them entertain a fussy infant if your hands are tied up. Utilize their help while instilling value in their growth!
Prep Ahead of Time: Save yourself sanity and time by prepping meals, lesson plans, and activities beforehand.
Daily Daycare Schedule
After seventeen years of running an in-home daycare, I feel that my schedule and routines are pretty solid. I like to create a schedule, a lot like goal planning. By working backwards from my overall vision and goal for my childcare.
Ask yourself how do you want to feel at the end of every day? What are your goals for your business? What are your non-negotiables for the day? Then work backwards from those answers to create the perfect schedule for your business.
Here is what my daily routine currently looks like.
7:00-8:00 | Arrival: Table activities: Puzzles, coloring, Play-Doh |
8:00-8:30 | Breakfast for all ages |
8:30-10:15 | Free play (inside or outside, depending on the weather, includes dramatic play & sensory play), I work with infants |
10:15-10:45 | Toddler curriculum, infants nap |
10:45-11:00 | Table activities: Puzzles, lacing cards, color, play-doh, etc while I prep lunch. |
11:00-11:30 | Lunch for all ages |
11:30-12:00 | Story time, songs, educational videos |
12:00-3:00 | Nap time (I give the infants some extra snuggles, love, and work on developmental things for about 15-20 minutes before laying them down) |
3:00-3:30 | Snack for all ages |
3:30-4:30 | Free play (inside or outside depending on the weather), work with infants again giving them lots of love. Children are being picked up at different times during this hour. |
This blog was all about how to create a daycare schedule that will fit your needs.
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