Welcome to this year’s A to Z Challenge! This year I’m talking Child Care. I’ll be blogging topics related to my many years in the family home daycare profession. I hope you can find a tidbit of information that is useful in caring for children whether you’re a parent, grand or another important person in a child’s life. And to end each post, I’ll share a bit of my creative side/relaxation time. Taking time for yourself is good for your health–both yours and your family’s 😉
So if you think you have enough bibs, blankets and burp cloths for your daycare, think again. In my experience, the words ‘flu’ or ‘stomach virus’ are synonymous with “You are going to drown in laundry the next week or two.” In order to have 10 children together for hours a day, you must be ready for a sanitation emergency. And that doesn’t include food, water, sand or mud experiences–whether intentional or not. (and have you ever had to deal with lice? ug!!)
Licensing and Health rules require all bedding be washed once a week (or more if soiled) but in times of health ‘outbreaks’ it’s a daily necessity. Hence, get yourself a heavy duty washer and dryer! Best investment ever. Also have an emergency fund on hand for either repairs or purchase of a new appliance and possibly even plumbing issues. Most repairs these days cost more than the appliances are worth though unfortunately.
As far as bibs and sheets go, they wear out quickly and so I have learned to make my own. With bibs, I use upcycled jeans for backing and fun fabrics on the front side. Sheets are usually created from yard sale fabric finds and do just fine for many, many washings. Burp cloths, I buy kitchen towels (and take donations from parents who say they are past the having-more-babies stage.)
The Zoo and Wild Animals I can relate to 
Shrinkage Happens–along with spit ups 
Upcycled from some old khakis on the reverse side.
Hope to see you tomorrow for Letter C of the 2020 April A to Z Challenge! Click here to visit more wonderful posts in this year’s challenge.
Katy Trail Creations 
Great post. That plastic bag holder looks like it could be modified to a smaller size and used as a DIY face mask for C19 protection. How fortunate that your career has prepared you for infection control.
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Thank you! I’m actually making some masks this afternoon. I have a list of recipients and number one is my mother 😉 She has emphysema and I have decided she is Not going to be a victim. As if I can decide these matters (head bent in prayer)
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Great bibs, sheets and burp cloths, pretty fabrics! Good to be prepared for a sanitation emergency 😉
Quilting Patchwork & Appliqué
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Thanks! Seems I’ll be into doing lots of laundry forever at this point. Paper towels are still in shortage around here.
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I love your assortment of bibs, sheets and burb cloths. You are very creative.
I work on the other end of the spectrum so everything has to be supersized.
cheers and happy a to zing
http://moondustwriter.com/2020/04/02/alzheimers-and-old-butcher-knives-part-2-atozchallenge-elderly
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I have made adult bibs before–by request only though. Thank you so much for dropping in!
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Turns out I already “favorited” your Etsy shop! Lice, yes, we did experience that. It was the worst!
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Yes it’s pretty horrible. I have stories but have to be respectful in sharing them 👀
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My mom was a hairdresser and her biggest complaint was the constant laundry she had to do. She was always washing towels. I’m sure it was just a fraction of the laundry you have at a day care. Weekends In Maine
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I feel your moms pain. I decided long ago that laundry is a living entity lol It never ends.
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We have scads of old towels at our center for any oops that’s bigger than a tissue or paper towel. We have bibs made commercially out of some slick nylon-type fabric that are supposed to velcro around the neck. The velcro is shot and we have to tie them if we want to use them, plus the slick fabric makes them go askew, so I usually don’t even bother to use bibs with my little nugs (they are 12 mos. to 2 years old in my class). Unless it’s sloppy joe day. The bibs HAVE to come out then!
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I bet there are definitely differences in our environments. If it works it’s what ya gotta go with. Velcro is not my fastener of choice tho. Never lasts long. Thanks for sharing 😊
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