Daycare ?

qdp86 · April 2013

My daughter is 21 months and we recently moved and started a new daycare. Her previous daycare was wonderful and taught her so much. They had a somewhat structured curriculum where they focused on a letter, color, animal ect a month and everything they did that month pertained to what they were learning. Her new daycare is good so far but it seems more like they just play and do arts and crafts instead of any kind of structured learning or curriculum. I am curious to see others experiences with this and what your daycare does. Also, would it bother you if your child was just playing all day instead of having some sort of structure at this age? Thanks!

blu-eyedwife · April 2013

First of all, I don't think it's terribly important at this age that they have some sort of curriculum. I think that it's most important that they have a safe space with people who you trust. There will be plenty of time for "learning" later. Playing and arts and crafts can definitely still help with development!

I wasn't looking for a structured curriculum, but our daycare does have one. Not in the same respect as yours, but things like March was Dr. Seuss month, so they did Dr. Seuss arts & crafts and read Dr. Seuss books. And they divide the day into activities which focus on different areas. For instance, one day might look like this:

Language/Cognitive: Friendship quilt

Social/Self-awareness/drama play: Doctor's Kit and baby dolls

Science/Sensory exploration: Cornstarch & Water

Math: Legos

And they teach them things like yoga and Spanish. I love that they do this stuff, but I definitely don't think it's a necessity.

Zimger · April 2013

During the time I was teaching I noticed that several daycares were being encouraged to switch to the Creative Curriculum. It isn't as structured as traditional lessons.

Personally, I prefer a less structured approach as children learn through playing.

ETA: We did have a schedule though. EX. Story time 9am, outdoor time 10am and so on.

qdp86 · April 2013

Thanks for all the input. Yea, it seems her new daycare focuses more on the creative curriculum and focuses on learning through play. I guess it is just different from her other daycare structure and I have to get use to it.

jmw222 · April 2013

Ours is more of a free play. They have a routine, but don't have a specific theme or content. She comes home with lots of projects depending on the time of year. Dr. Seuss's birthday they read those books, made Dr. Seuss hats, Earth Day finger paint, etc. I am ok with more of a free play at this age. I like the fact that she can actually be a kid!

dougsbestgirl · April 2013

Ours definitely has tons or creative/free play but they do have a new letter that they focus on each week. And they have a theme that switches every few months. They study different areas (math, history, art, science, literature, etc..) through their theme. Currently the study theme is flowers. They are planting flowers, learning parts of flowers, playing with fake flowers, have an assembly with a gardener, sing songs about flowers, reading books about flowers etc.... The theme before flowers was wheels.

Netty_3 · May 2013

The DC you went to before may have been more of a "school" than a DC. I love the school LO goes to, and I think it has helped him with language a lot, becuase they work with him individually with it, that's what I can tell right away anyhow. However, children also learn through play as well. Next time you're there look at how the room is set up and what is offered to her to play with.

bigdreams24 · May 2013

I think there is a difference between "montessori" type daycares where it is child led and "pre-school" type. Our daycare has children from 6 weeks-6years. Preschool is where the structured learning really begins but my DD is currently in "toddler 1" and they do have some group activities like music or art time. It is not structured all the time and a lot of times half of the kids are outside playing and half inside. What is structured is the meal times and nap time. I think thats the number one structure they need at this age. She only goes 3 days a week but that regular schedule has really helped us.

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