Celebrating 16 Years of Inspiring and Empowering Child Care Business Owners

A Pumpkin Spread Snack Idea

10 06 13

 

Its Pumpkin Season!!

In fact, kids love to explore pumpkins and yes..taste the pumpkin too! Last week, as I walked through my Child Care Center, I observed the toddlers creating a pumpkin friend with Bagels, pumpkin spread and raisins.

The kids were so engaged in the activity and could hardly wait to taste their creations. Today I want to share the recipe and step by step instructions on how to make a Pumpkin snack for the children in your child Care Business to enjoy.

** Be sure to check for pumpkin allergies

You will need the following:

  • Canned Pumpkin Spread (1 can for every 10 children)
  • Cinnamon
  • Large Box of Raisins
  • Bagel half
  • Spoons
  • Raw or Organic Sugar
  • Paper towels
  • Medium size bowl to mix the pumpkin spread
  • Can opener
  • A Fork to mix the ingredients

Step by Step Instructions

Ahead of time set out all the ingredients & materials (listed above) on the table for the children to see. Have the children to wash their hands before sitting at the table.

Give each child a paper towel with a slice of bagel. Open the canned pumpkin, invite one child to pour the spread into the bowl. Then invite other children to help add the sugar and cinnamon to the spread.

Next, invite a child to mix the pumpkin spread. Then give each child a slice of bagel, pass the bowl of pumpkin spread around the table and invite each child to get a large scoop of pumpkin spread to spread on their bagel.

After each child spreads the pumpkin spread on their bagel, be sure that each child has the recommended serving size of raisins to add to their bagel.

Finally, encourage the children to create facial features for their pumpkin friends by using the raisins to create the eyes, nose and the mouth; then enjoy! Be sure to take pictures!!

This snack meets the Child Care Adult and Food program guidelines.

Grain: Bagel

Fruit/veg: Raisins/Pumpkin

For more menu ideas, Download your copy of the Healthy Child Care menus ebook.

Til next time…

Shiketa

Category:

Menu Planning

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Choosing a Business Mentor

10 04 13

mentor

 

Are you having challenges with your Child Care Business? Thinking about expanding or Starting up a Child Care Business? If so, I want to suggest that you seek out a Business Mentor. Business mentoring is a great way for you to gain new Business insight and effective mentoring will help you to get unstuck!

When I decided to open my Child Care Business back in 1998, I was very frustrated, because I could not find someone to help me to get the Business Started other than the Child Day Care association. In fact, a Representative from the CDCA stopped by my home, gave me some toys and some books to read and I was still stuck!

So, I decided to buy books on the Business of Child Care. The books were helpful in the area of paper work, however, when it came to managing staff, I needed more help!

I eventually found a great mentor and she still gives me great advice right now today! In fact, she encouraged me to mentor other Child Care Business Owners and I’m glad that she did…because I love it!

Today I want to share 5 effective ways to seek out a Business Mentor.

1. Choose a mentor that has a proven track record or who is willing to openly share his or her business successes or failures.  Furthermore, a true mentor will never hold back vital information.

2. Offer to take your potential mentor out to lunch or offer to pay for his or her time. If you want to go to another level, be willing to pay the price. What we pay for…We tend to value more!

3. Choose an experienced mentor. For example. If you want to start a chain of childcare businesses, it’s not a good idea to seek business advice from someone who has only been a business owner for 1 year.  Unplug, from groups of complaining Child Care Business Owners and get a Mentor or  a Coach!

4. I do not suggest, that you stop by local daycare’s for start-up advice. Child Care Center owners are very busy and I suggest that you call or send an email, inquiring about mentoring. Here is a sample Mentor ship Invitation:

Hello (Your prospective mentor name)

My name is (your name) and I really admire the way that you run your Business and I would love for you to be my Business mentor. In fact, I’m sure that you are busy and I was wondering if I could take you out to lunch and discuss the possibility of you being my Business mentor.

If you are not available to meet me for lunch, I would love to offer ($______) for 1-hour of your time.

My goal is to open a __________________ and I need some direction. I look forward to hearing from you soon and I can hardly wait to meet with you.

Your name

I can remember when I wanted to expand my Child Care Business and I reached out to a local Business Owner (who owns a Fortune 500 company). She was too busy to mentor me and referred me to one of her business partners. That’s when I decided that some business owners are too busy to mentor other Business owners and there is always someone else that is willing to share with you what you need to know.

I currently have 2 Business mentors: One for my Online Business and One for my Child Care Business. Furthermore, I encourage you to choose a Business Mentor, because having wise business counsel is a vital part of your Business Success.

To Your Success!

Shiketa

If you are seeking out a Business Mentor, I would love to mentor you. Click here

Category:

Quality Care

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