For the most positive daycare experience for your child, partner with your childcare center and make a personal investment beyond the monthly tuition. You can build your partnership with your daycare by volunteering your time, contributing goods or services, or donating money.
If your child is in daycare full-time, he is spending 40 ? 60 hours at your daycare facility with his childcare providers. You owe it to your child to help make the center the best it can be for him.
Beautification Day. Schedule a few hours on a Saturday morning for a group of parents to come into the center and give it a really thorough spring cleaning where you tackle involved chores like painting walls, repairing bookcases, decorating classrooms, scrubbing cubbies.
Fundraising. You can support your center's fundraising efforts by asking for goods, services or monetary donations. Ask friends and family to partake in fundraising auction events with you ? spirited bidding in a live auction is a lively way to spend a Saturday evening with friends while benefiting a good cause.
Participation. Spending an hour or two in the classroom a week reading stories, engaging in dramatic play or just lending a helping hand are all time well spent and greatly appreciated by the daycare center.
If your schedule is too tight to accommodate volunteering at school, think creatively about other ways you can contribute ? do you have a skill, talent or connection that can potential benefit the school in some way. It may be an activity that seems inconsequential in your normal course of business but would be invaluable to your daycare center.
Here are some examples to get you started:
Investment Banking. Most centers have an emergency fund they must keep for unexpected facility maintenance or other unplanned expenses. Suggest the best short term investment vehicles for them.
Tax Accountant. Offer to review their current tax preparation forms or evaluate their tax planning process.
Medical Expertise. Conduct a 30 minute seminar or write a column in the newsletter about common childhood ailments, healthy eating or sleeping practices.
Educational Background. Suggest weekend learning activities or offer to conduct a 30 minute special event for one of the older classrooms.
Music. Entertain the kids with an impromptu concert or offer to entertain at the center's annual fundraising event.
Legal. Offer to review contracts or agreements the school is considering. Offer to review the current application portfolio and identify policies or additional waivers or agreements that should be included.
Sales. Create a bonus plan for the teaching staff that takes into account length of employment and special recognitions.
Marketing. Review the centers brochures, ads and marketing plans. Make recommendations for how to best sell the centers services, help develop creative materials and negotiate print rates with vendors.
Facilities. Offer to inspect the daycare facilities and make maintenance repairs or negotiate with preferred vendors for discounted rates.
About the Author
For more great information about expecting and parenting, visit momrecommended.com, a site for moms by moms. Annie Valle is a freelance writer, web designer and a mom. You'll find product reviews, recipes, baby names, free projects and more, when you visit momrecommended.com.
The disquieting behavior of teenagers in the 21st century, is... Read More
So your little Susie wants to join a competitive gymnastic... Read More
Something eerily familiar happened in KwaZulu-Natal's Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park in Africa... Read More
Courage means doing the right thing when it is hard,... Read More
If you really want to get your children to eat... Read More
Speaking as a Michael (a Hebrew name, meaning "Who is... Read More
My husband and I have a 12-year-old daughter who wanted... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 31,... Read More
If your parenting methods include abuse of any kind; physical,... Read More
This may come as a surprise.But despite all the advances... Read More
When it comes to exams, or indeed any academic work,... Read More
It can be said that any man who procreates is... Read More
I could nearly fund my children's future education if I... Read More
As a parent your biggest responsibility is to prepare your... Read More
Most day cares are non-profit organizations that must operate within... Read More
A growing body of scientific evidence shows that the way... Read More
Hope, excitement and anxiety all wrapped up in fresh haircuts... Read More
1. Make stronger connections among individuals and, therefore, creates a... Read More
1. Encourage your babysitter by keeping their favorite foods/snacks on... Read More
The 'phone conversation had nothing at all to do with... Read More
At first I thought of titling this article "The Lazy... Read More
Here are ten simple pleasures you can enjoy with your... Read More
My kids just can't get enough of playing games with... Read More
It's the third time this week that Sam has complained... Read More
As a mom of 4 who's youngest child is about... Read More
top rated cleaning service Des Plaines ..Most of the ADHD kids that are seen in a... Read More
Self-reliance and potential are two very important values that I'd... Read More
Frankly, as a single parent of young children, I struggled.... Read More
Studies have shown that:1 out of 4 children were sent... Read More
I am crying tears of joy mixed with great sadness... Read More
The great thing about children is they absorb knowledge like... Read More
Recently, a much-anticipated game of mini-golf with my children soon... Read More
The key to a successful car wash fundraiser event is... Read More
So you're going to become a father. Now is not... Read More
It was blisteringly hot last Saturday. As I took that... Read More
``Mom, can I go to the mall with my friend... Read More
NY -- Strange as it may sound, bordom promotes happier,... Read More
How many times have you flipped through the pages of... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed being a parent? Do you want... Read More
It is extraordinary times that we find ourselves in. Change... Read More
I have three children, ages 19 and 16 (yes, the... Read More
In our last article about the neurology of ADHD we... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Part of the responsibility of being a father is to... Read More
Despite the theory that people have kids because they want... Read More
Impulsivity is one of the hallmarks of people with Attention... Read More
Giving with a happy heart. If you teach a child... Read More
Every children in the world whishes to have toys and... Read More
Your child's first year of school should be a fun... Read More
Your child's leadership skills begin at the family dinner table.... Read More
Parenting |