Field Trips and Your In-home Daycare Center

Summer is here and many in-home daycare centers are planning to take their students on field trips. Parents and providers alike know that children need to get out and about and have a good time. It is the job of the childcare provider to make sure they experience as many different learning situations as possible.

Remember that the field trips you take will be more fun if you allow the children to be involved in the planning. Discuss with the group where you are going and what you will see once you get there, and most importantly, what you will be doing once you arrive at your destination. It is also helpful to use pictures, books and songs to prepare the children for the big day.

The type of field trip you go on will obviously depend on the number of children in your care and their ages. You may also want to arrange to have an assistant to join you on your field trip.

If you need ideas for your outings you can check your local library and newspaper for special events in your neighborhood.

Visit a Library: Spend some time with the class looking through the children's section. You can even allow the kids in your group to checkout one book per child so they can learn how the process works. Also during the summer months most libraries have a story time that you can attend, and many have free movie days as well.

Visit the Fire Department: Most fire departments will allow daycare centers to schedule a tour of the facility. Usually a fireman will talk to the children about what happens during a fire and allow the children to inspect the firetrucks. Some fire stations will also send the children home with goody bags filled with plastic fire hats, badges, coloring books, and stickers.

Visit the Supermarket: Children have a short attention span, so do not spend too much time in one area of the store. Ask the children if they can name the fruits and vegetables in the produce section. While you are in the dairy department you can talk about where the different dairy products come from.

Visit a Farm: What could be more exciting to a child than being allowed to pet and feed baby animals? The children in your care will enjoy watching the pigs being fed and the cows being milked. Many farms that provide tours will also allow the children to help gather the eggs which is always fun for the kids.

Visit the Museum: Most communities have a science museum or a museum of natural history that even the youngest child in your care will enjoy. It is best not not to attempt to see every exhibit on one day.. Stretch out your summer fun and make plans to return often and take your time looking around.

The field trip is over and you've made it back in one piece, now what do you do?

Gather the children together during circle time and create a story together about your trip. You can also have the children draw a picture of something they saw on the trip. Most importantly, sit down with your class and write a letter thanking everyone who help to make your field trip an exciting and enjoyable experience for your daycare center.