Daycare Profession Challenge and Play-Through

[Lapaige46]

Sweet Saturday moments with just the 2 little girls.
Debbie was sitting in the chair watching them play when Therese toddled over and wanted up on Debbie's lap. Then she kept asking for hugs.

[Nindigo]

Lapaige, that TV of yours -is- an expensive one

And also an advice - don't use the high chairs. Just feed the toddlers a bottle on the floor. Doing that makes the caring for them much more fluid and less time consuming. And more importantly, it means less routing for all the Sims involved to take into consideration.

[Lapaige46]

Ah. I considered it far less expensive than some of the others.

I like the high chairs. I put them all in the chairs as soon as they arrive and feed them all at once, then change them in rotation whether they need it or not and let them go. Then I just watch to see who needs what, whether it's attention, changing or a bottle. Near the end of the day I do storytime. That's a routine that's working for me. I'm not going to mess with it. 

[Nindigo]

Fair enough

I found a rhythm too:

- wait for parents/whatever to leave
- feed everyone
- change everyone
- let everyone find an activity to get into a great mood
- wait a while
- lather, rinse, repeat
- take care of lonely and/or smelly kids in between

[MrsFlynn]

Nindigo's post made me ask myself what's my rhythm.

1. Turn on the tv around 8 - 8:30am.
2. I too wait for Sim parents/caregivers to leave.  I've been either having Vanessa read a book or work on her writing. While we wait for everyone to arrive and leave.
3. I check what everyone needs. It varies day to day - food, diaper change, socializing. I find if I don't do what they're asking for 1st we don't get any peace.

I tried feeding everyone first thing at least a couple of times, even those that either wanted socializing or diaper change. That didn't work for them.  They took the bottle, but they still wanted to either be changed or wanted socializing.

Since then I've checked everyone needs first. Have Vanessa look over two toddlers and Aria the other two. Make sure those 4 are good and then Vanessa or Aria gets the 5th toddler. Depending on who gets done first.

With having the tv on when the tots first arrive the routine seems to go a lot smoother.

I sometimes put the playpen into family inventory till the afternoon. To prevent Vanessa from putting the toddlers into it while still trying to get everyone settled in for the day. I've caught her trying to put one of the tots in the playpen a few different times while still needing something.

There are times I'm finding I'd rather have the tots out playing with whatever instead. I too don't play with highchairs. I find it a lot easier to feed on the floor.

[Lapaige46]

I feed them in the chair as soon as they come in because most of them are very hungry.
After that I  just give them bottles when they're looking for a snack.

[Nindigo]

For clarification purposes - wether the toddlers are very hungry or just wanting a snack, feeding a bottle on the floor will do the trick in both cases. A meal in a high chair is not a requirement, simply a gamplay flavor.

Tip to preserve one's sanity: Don't play with sound on

[Lapaige46]

I am aware that it's not a requirement.   I like putting them in the high chairs, all lined up like little birds waiting for their breakfast. It was pretty funny when Therese had a little tantrum and threw her food on the floor. I also like the sounds. It was very sweet when Therese was sitting on Debbie's lap and they were having a little chat.

[Nindigo]

Clarification was in case anybody else reading along was in doubt, Lapaige. I think we all get your message by now

[Lapaige46]

First day of Debbie's new rank with 5 toddlers went great. Newly created Cassie showed up. Yay!
Debbie's enjoying a quiet read for a little fun before she goes to sleep.
I only had one kid show up and she was hungry as usual. I had left a grilled cheese sandwich on the counter which she ate.