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.
We are all so very happy to see that the... Read More
Researched through personal experience!Budget Your Money. Even if you are... Read More
All children will likely have many different health problems during... Read More
Q: Whenever we tell my daughter "no," she just bugs... Read More
Do you want your child to cooperate with you more?Children... Read More
You send your child to school and the teachers teach... Read More
I hear from many parents that their child is stressed... Read More
Parental example, whether for good or for bad, is undoubtedly... Read More
Anorexia nervosa is a serious medical disorder that is statistically... Read More
We were all teens at one time for some many... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Here are some things that you can do to help... Read More
Parents of teenagers frequently ask what can be done to... Read More
When my daughter was born, I must admit there was... Read More
Assuming there are no serious motor problems present, what can... Read More
There is nothing pleasant about failure, at least not at... Read More
Backpack? Check. Notebooks? Check. Ink-pens? Check. Clear Skin? Mommmm!If you... Read More
Valentine day has always been a special day in my... Read More
Nanny 911 Interview with Montel WilliamsI saw an interview with... Read More
One of the most prevalent myths of our modern culture... Read More
Bedtime and children's sleep habits can cause nightmares - for... Read More
Sometimes a change of perspective can make a huge difference... Read More
Not too long ago my teenage daughter approached me with... Read More
Ask parents what their biggest school year challenge is, and... Read More
Elana, born in Russia, was told "We really don't know... Read More
reliable maid service Wilmette ..1. New Word of the DayIntroduce your preschooler to a... Read More
Just two days ago, another 15-year old child was added... Read More
My son recently had his third birthday party and it... Read More
Wooden toys are one of the best alternatives for the... Read More
Past experience with federal education programs predicts that the No... Read More
You have a chore to do around the house, and... Read More
It's no joy to be sick. It's even less joy... Read More
The legend and myth of the Tooth Fairy is a... Read More
Former students would probably attest to the fact that few... Read More
It's that time of year when mom and dad look... Read More
How can two or three children in the same family... Read More
Often I have heard that leaders are born, not made.... Read More
Can you draw a straight line? Most adults don't consider... Read More
What is child sexual abuse? Any sexual activity that is... Read More
The Internet, is magnificent in its resources for families. Educational... Read More
"I wipe my baby's chin with my college diploma and... Read More
1. Make stronger connections among individuals and, therefore, creates a... Read More
For first time parents choosing a swing set or outdoor... Read More
Teens can freely access the Internet from computers at school,... Read More
School authorities often complain that classes are too large. They... Read More
One reason public schools get away with educational failure, year... Read More
So you have just returned home from your third meeting... Read More
Reading to your child at a young age is one... Read More
An address given by Rev. David B. Smith... Read More
At age seven months in the womb, humans begin language... Read More
Parenting |