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.
When my son was 18 (and had finished school), he... Read More
We take it for granted that children know how money... Read More
Winifred or Willow? Thomas or Troy? The name you choose... Read More
"My son won't go to bed at night without a... Read More
It was a day that I will forever be etched... Read More
If you really want to get your children to eat... Read More
There are many useful jogger stroller accessories out on the... Read More
Q. "What do you want to be when you grow... Read More
Single parents are not often thought of as good parents.I... Read More
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is making... Read More
My son recently had his third birthday party and it... Read More
The law of -ing.The law of -ing refers to a... Read More
It can be said that any man who procreates is... Read More
A number of scientific studies have shown the way a... Read More
Grandparents, what better way to stay close to your grown... Read More
The small, lilac colored hexagonal box, with Winnie the Pooh... Read More
I recall somewhere in the recesses of my aging brain... Read More
There are several treatment options available to help improve the... Read More
Have you made your usual New Year resolutions? You know... Read More
Often I have heard that leaders are born, not made.... Read More
In the beginning, having children was just a byproduct of... Read More
Ask any teacher or adolescent counselor what the most disturbing... Read More
Vacations and trips are great family events, but how do... Read More
I was reading "A Modern Infant Armada", a humor column... Read More
For many years underparenting was perhaps the biggest problem facing... Read More
express cleaning service Arlington Heights ..The public school system in America has become a dismal... Read More
Much has been said about the "gifted child" but in... Read More
Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children... Read More
Q: Whenever we tell my daughter "no," she just bugs... Read More
Most day cares are non-profit organizations that must operate within... Read More
Boredom, limited space and overflowing energy are a source of... Read More
Question 1 "How do I get more time to play?"... Read More
I have three children, ages 19 and 16 (yes, the... Read More
You've just received a call from your child's teacher. As... Read More
Why are more people, especially parents not outraged?I call it... Read More
Most parents can hardly wait for their baby to say... Read More
Many research studies have shown the overall effectiveness of stimulant... Read More
Demanding children ? children who have entitlement issues ? seem... Read More
If you ever walk through an orphanage, it will be... Read More
For many adults, reading a book or newspaper seems effortless.... Read More
In a consumer-driven society that broadcasts values you don't approve... Read More
In speaking with parents a comment I frequently hear is... Read More
Peaceful Parenting? ideas are very different from other kinds of... Read More
Self-reliance and potential are two very important values that I'd... Read More
17 Quick Ways to Strengthen the Bonds of LoveOn Mother's... Read More
One reason public schools get away with educational failure, year... Read More
Single parenting has seemingly become an acceptable norm which is... Read More
Choosing a good car seat for your child's protection is... Read More
It can be said that any man who procreates is... Read More
There is nothing pleasant about failure, at least not at... Read More
Parenting |