Many parents want to be involved in their child's school when they see that something needs to be done, but either they do not know how to ask to help, or think that their offers of assistance won't be welcome. Or maybe they simply think that they don't have the time to be any real help.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of many daycares and preschools. Despite the seemingly high cost of quality childcare, most centers would not be able to remain open except for the willingness of parents and other community members to contribute for the good of the children. Ways that you can help may be: volunteering on holidays for special parties, contributing clothes for dress-up and toys for the thematic centers, or providing food for children's birthdays. But chances are, you already know about and are doing these things-and those are all vital things to do. However, there are often much more needed things in your child's school that are left undone simply because no one has taken up the task.
But how can you help? You work full-time, after all, that's why your children are in daycare to begin with, right? There are a few simple ways that you can be a blessing in the life of the children at your child's daycare center-- and become one of the "cool" moms or dads to the other kids in school.
Donate fun items. We once had a father at my center that worked at a story that sold party supplies with things like Disney characters on them. He would give us many of the leftovers for use during snack times and he also gave us sidewalk chalk and bubbles-- a big hit with the kids. Other parents who may not have such a ready source of fun, have done things such as brought in a special snack, or a fun toy.
Exchange volunteer hours for daycare time. Do you have a specialty? Parents in our school have contributed a diverse range of skills and services, and while they are doing this, their children are receiving free daycare hours. This is not a comprehensive list-it is merely a listing of things that parents have done in my school. If you have other ideas or things that you have done at your child's center, please post your ideas in the discussion section of this page. Parents have-painted (both murals and walls) given administrative assistance with mailings and phone calls, done our paychecks, construction on the playground, painted scenery for thematic centers, donated and repaired computers for the kids to use, taught music, taught art, and given demonstrations of things such as judo and swing dancing.
The next time that you pick up or drop off your child, take a look around and see if you see anything that could be done that you are skilled at, or that may not take any skill. If you see that the sandbox is low on sand, offer to go buy some and carry it out onto the playground to replenish it. Even if the problem is set to be resolved in some other way, you will have opened up the channel of communication with your child's teachers, shown a willingness to work with the school, and offered a possible solution to a problem rather than just sharing a complaint-which always wins you bonus points.
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