Things You'll Need:
- What you will need will depend on what things in the article that you decide to do. Some possibilities are:
- bin for composting (homemade or otherwise)
- compost
- bin for worm composting
- dirt/compost
- worms
- canvas shopping bags
- organic and other fresh foods
- picnic items
- stroller
- reusable plates, cups, bowls and utensils
- children’s exercise videos
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Step 1
Food is the sustenance of life. It is important for a healthy existence, so doesn’t it stand to reason that we should feed our daycare children well. Eating more fresh produce and less meat will not hurt anyone, and it is cheaper. An online search will help you to figure out what nutrients the children should be getting at each meal, and what foods will provide these nutrients.
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Step 2
When preparing meals, be sure to use reusable plates, cups, bowls and utensils. Get the children involved in the preparation of their meals so that you can explain why it is important to use locally grown produce and other organic foods. Explain the importance of purchasing locally when possible.
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Step 3
It is our responsibility, as important adults in the children’s lives, to also show them that we care about our communities, our state and our country. Buying as much organic food as we can, and purchasing fresh produce from farmers markets whenever possible, is a good way to do this.
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Step 4
Exercise is also very important for children’s health. Rather than packing everyone into a van/care to go anywhere, walk. My four year old niece walks up to four miles with us when she is in our care, and her three year old sister walks a good part of that way. We have the stroller that we always bring along with us incase her feat get tired. You can also buy previously viewed children’s exercise videos.
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Step 5
Materials and equipment are important for any childcare business. The children need things to do while they are in your care. You can reuse things that your own children no longer need, and you can ask the daycare children’s parents to donate what they no longer want in their homes. You can also check out yard sales and thrift shops. If you can afford any big ticket items see if someone in your area can build it. Maybe your neighbor is a master carpenter and will build a playhouse for the cost of materials, donating his time. Your local Freecycle site is a wonderful place to get things for your daycare.
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Step 6
Daycare providers usually have changes of clothes and extra hats, mittens, etc., for the children in their care. I ask parents to fill a back pack to leave at my house. I expect these the first day of care, and replenish the packs whenever there are season changes. Each child should have a complete change of clothing and a beach towel, as well as a bathing suit.
I also shop yard sales and thrift shops for hats, mittens, gloves and scarves to keep at my home. The children can always use extras. -
Step 7
When you have to do laundry for your business, try to always use the cold cycle on your washing machine. Rather than throwing the items in the dryer, you can hang them outside while the children are playing in the yard. This sets a good example for them. During the winter, have a special rack to dry their things on.
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Step 8
Daycare centers and childcare homes use their fair share of our electricity. You can use appliances, such as the toaster oven or slow cooker, that use less energy than a conventional oven or stove top. You can also keep the television turned off most of the time. You can try to use as much natural light as possible. If you are open at night use compact florescent lights, and explain to the children why it is important to do so.
During the winter, you should keep the curtains on sunny side of house open. Close them during the summer months, opening the curtains on the other side. Lower the temperature in the winter, and be sure parents know to dress children warmly. -
Step 9
Daycare centers and childcare homes also use a lot of water. Some ways in which you can conserve water are by using the dishwater to water houseplants and flower gardens, and using cooled water from cooking pastas, eggs and vegetables to water food gardens.
Also, consider a low-flow toilet unit. You do not have to pay a lot of money for a new toilet this way. I suggest one of the ones where pushing down is for urine, so that the children will already be used to it.
These efforts will save water, and save you some money. -
Step 10
Children love field trips. Walk whenever possible, and always bring along lunches, snacks and drinks that you pack yourself. Some great field trip possibilities are:
* organic farms of all types
* organic orchards
* a shopping trip to a farmer’s market
* the organic section of grocery store (call first for a tour)
* a health food store
* the playgrounds and parks
* take them on daycare run cleanup days at parks and other places
If you do not do field trips, consider asking owners/venders at these places to come and visit your daycare. -
Step 11
Children love projects. Here are some ideas for things that you can easily do with the children in your care:
* vermiculture (worm composting)
* composting
* organic gardening
* crafts from things that you are not
