Post Site Visit To-Do-List

I've been told that this is a pretty short list.  Here's what I have to do before sending in my official licensing application:

• Scrape flaking paint off my neighbor's garage
• More firmly secure cables on my other neighbor's house and on my house
• Paint backdoor threshold and door frame
• Put a lock on my laundry chute
• Put a lock on my cabinet containing personal toiletry items
• Secure the cables and cords to my computer
• Get a kid size sleeping bag for mildly ill children to use
• Get one additional sleep mat
• Get or make sheets for sleep mats
• Assemble emergency kit
• Gather up extra kid clothes
• Fix corner of my neighbor's fence that is falling apart
• Make floor plan
• Submit Registry application
• Fence off AC units
• Change batteries in smoke detectors
• Get 2 more carbon monoxide detectors
• Get an infant feeding seat (a bouncy seat)
• Get a riding toy or 2 for younger kids for outside play

* I'm crossing things off, as I complete them!

Living & Dining Rooms - Almost Ready!

Well, my site visit from my technical advisory is tomorrow!  I'm thinking things look pretty well set up.  Everything is labeled and ready to go.  These are pictures of parts of the living room and dining room.  There are lots of books and toys and open floor space for playing.  I think it looks kid-friendly but still looks like a home at the same time.  I've seen pictures of other home daycares where it looks like they tried to mimic a large institutional daycare center and it ends up looking hideous.

Outside Toys & Activities

Here's what I've got in the way of outside toys, so far.  There are watering cans, kiddie garden tools, kiddie garden gloves, hula hoops, balls, insect nets, insect jars, sidewalk chalk, jump ropes, bubbles, boats, a badminton set, and sandbox toys.

I'm also starting to get the outdoors set up.  Today I brought out all the patio furniture and set it up.  For the daycare, I've also got a sandbox, water table, and a slide.  I'd still like to get a riding toy or two for the younger kids.

2nd Bedroom - All Set Up Now

Well, at least I have one room that is all set up and ready to go!

This is what the back bedroom currently looks like:

This is the same kitchen set that I played with as a little kid.  My dad made it for me when I was a baby and he's saved it all these years.  It's stocked now with play food, pots, pans, and dishes.  Keeley loves looking at the play food in the refrigerator!

I had planned on getting a real crib, but I suppose now that it's good I didn't spend the money on that since all the safety recalls and new crib rules.  This Pack'N Play works great though.  And I've got a second one stored in the closet in case I end up caring for more than one infant at a time.

This is the changing table area.  I'm all stocked up on diapers, wipes, gloves, etc.

Music Selection

I've been gathering up CDs to assemble a children's musical library.  So far, selections include:

• Elizabeth Mitchell - You Are My Little Bird
• Elizabeth Mitchell - Sunny Day
• Classical Kids - Best of Bach
• Classical Kids - Best of Vivaldi
• Classical Kids - Best of Handel
• Classical Kids - Best of Mozart
• Classical Kids - Best of Tchaikovsky
• Putumayo Kids Presents - French Playground
• Putumayo Kids Presents - Jazz Playground
• Putumayo Kids Presents - Acoustic Dreamland
• Putumayo Kids Presents - African Playground
• Best of the Land of Nod Store Music - volume 1
• Best of the Land of Nod Store Music - volume 2

Art Supplies

My dad brought over a huge box of crayons from when Rob and I were kids.  I sorted through them and picked out all the ones that were not broken.  This is what I ended up with.  I guess I don't need to buy any more crayons!

I'm using an Ikea locker unit that I had sitting in my basement as my art supply cabinet.  Here's how it looks inside so far.

I think I'm well stocked for art supplies now!  I've got paints, markers, brushes,  glue, crayons, paper, tape, kiddie scissors, pencils, watercolors, and lots more!

I found a bunch of coloring books around the house too.  I know these don't count as an art activity, but they do count as fine motor practice!

Oh Joy! Lots of Toys!

Getting the toys ready has been a lot of fun!  Some things I had already, but most of the items I got to go shopping for.  Here's what I've got so far:  

Barbie Dolls!

Baby Dolls!

Action Figures!

Baby Toys!

My Little Ponies!

And I've also got a bunch of Matchbox cars, Lincoln Logs, Legos, a Big Box of Dinosaurs, and a Baby Jungle Gym.

Puzzles & Games

Games:  Clue Jr., Monopoly Jr., Sorry, Chutes & Ladders, Candyland, Checkers, Parcheesi, and a variety of Memory games.

I've got 12 puzzles of various levels of difficulty, but would like to get more eventually.

Books, Books, More Books...

At last count, I have 13 board books...

...and 183 other kid books - ranging from preschool beginning readers through to middle school young adult level.

I'm always adding books to the library!

I have a lot of art and ballet books and a huge amount of science and dog books.  My favorite science series is the "Let's-Read-And-Find-Out-Science" books.  And I have lots of future activities planned around many of these books.  I think it's going to be a fun summer filled with nature exploration!